On the new Homes.com, we always display the listing agents, and only the listing agents, for any home for sale on our site. Our philosophy is that the leads in an agent’s listing are their own and obviously cannot be stolen and sold by anyone else. This is not a new principle to us. CoStar Group has operated dozens of industry-leading real estate websites for decades, always with the “Your List, Your Leads” philosophy because it’s the right thing to do.
When a potential buyer contacts the listing agent for a home for sale, it’s a potentially valuable lead that no agent should be forced to pass up. If a lead comes in, the real estate agent who knows the home best can answer any questions the buyer has, and if the buyer has a buyer’s agent, the real estate agent can work with the buyer’s agent to sell the house and earn a commission. But the buyer may not be represented yet, and the listing broker can then earn an additional commission by referring the buyer to another agent at his brokerage, thereby earning a referral fee. Of course, the agent who receives the recommendation is likely to reciprocate to the listing agent, thereby providing a commission for future buyers.
Many times, a home listed by an agent is not suitable for the buyer, so the listing agent can serve as a buyer’s agent by offering their expertise in the market to the buyer, finding a better home for the client and earning additional commissions. Now, while this may not be legal in all states, nor allowed by all companies, thousands of agents can dual agency, and listing leads can significantly increase their commissions. The fact is that when portals like NewsCorp-owned Realtor.com and Zillow unfairly divert leads from listing brokers, they reap billions of dollars in potential commissions from hard-working brokers.
Portal respects “Your list, your leads” More than respecting an agent’s right to earn all potential commissions from their listing leads. Agents put in tens of thousands of hours of hard work to build their brand and reputation as real estate experts, delivering the best results for their clients. The most important asset an agent has is their reputation. What are the most important signs homebuyers and sellers looking for an agent use to show that a real estate agent is a trustworthy expert? This is a listing sign that someone else has used this agent to sell their home. Like a newspaper classified ad listing, a sign on the front lawn is no longer as important. According to NAR, 100% of buyers are looking for their next home online, so agents need to be the most visible online.
Unfortunately, portals like Newscorp’s Realtor.com and Zillow have replaced the listing agent’s name with terms like “email agent” or “contact agent,” which benefits the portal’s agent but ends up with the listing agent’s at the expense of profit. The fact that the listing agent’s name is no longer front and center makes it harder for agents and brokers to build their brand in this agent-hostile environment. and”Your List, Your Leads“Homes.com is the first and most agent-friendly website, featuring 100% of the listings, their photos and their brand, prominently letting the world know that the agent is a trusted expert. So far this year, Homes.com has provided 40 billion agent names to potential buyers and sellers.
Homes.com is committed to “Your list, your clues“Because it’s a more honest and transparent way to do business. Every seller, every buyer, every agent I’ve ever talked to agrees with that”Your List, Your Lead” Create a better home shopping experience for everyone.
