Indianapolis Metropolitan Board of REALTORS®, (MIBOR) Rules Google is a “Scraper Site”
Author: Jay T. - The EditorPosted on May 6, 2009
Filed Under NAR - General, Realtor.com | 9 Comments
From *deep* in the WTF?!? files comes this insanity…
Paula Henry reports on Agent Genius that her local board has issued a “cease and desist” letter for her website because — get this — things like property listing addresses are indexed on her site by Google.
You can’t make up things this arcane and ignorant.
Paula’s broker commented on the piece saying, “The NAR has supported this ruling”.
As another commenter says — The 1970’s called. They want their MLS rules back.
Realtor.com of course, appears to be exempt from this ruling, which does nothing but hurt the agents and their clients. Of course, the NAR doesn’t “have control” over Realtor.com, this despite the verbiage strewn across the banner of the site that loudly proclaims Realtor.com is the “Official Site of the National Association of REALTORS®”.
Whatever.
I just love that our trade organization, whose stated Mission & Vision is “to help its members become more profitable and successful”, supports such an asinine ruling.
Todd Carpenter named NAR Social Media Manager
Author: Jay T. - The EditorPosted on February 25, 2009
Filed Under NAR - General | 1 Comment
Great choice, now let’s see where it goes.
I like Todd. I like all the NAR folks I met in Chicago last month. Todd definitely has the skills, and the NAR leadership team has the desire.
I say this based only on an all day meeting I attended with them last month and some correspondence I’ve had with a few members of the NAR team. I know there are others out there who feel otherwise. They weren’t in the meeting I was in, so it’s pretty stunning to me that they know what the NAR is thinking.
But all that’s neither here nor there.
I’ve asked Todd to do a little “interview” here on NARWisdom. Hopefully he can fit it into his schedule.
Congrats Todd. Now get your ass to work!
NAR Announces Social Media Manager has been Selected
Author: Jay T. - The EditorPosted on February 19, 2009
Filed Under NAR - General | 6 Comments
But they aren’t saying yet who it is…
Tony Arko over on Real/diaBlog tells us that Dale Stinton, NAR CEO, told members of the Dulles Area Association of REALTORS that the position has been filled. Tony said that a “formal announcement is forthcoming”.
Drew Myers over at GeekEstateBlog has a hunch Todd Carpenter is the man.
I happen to agree. I’ve been saying for awhile that I thought Todd was the choice. And if it is Todd, then the NAR has already taken a huge first step in getting this thing right.
But right now it doesn’t really matter who it is, as we’ll find out soon enough.
I was fortunate to attend a meeting at NAR headquarters in Chicago last month where several of us discussed social media and this position with Dale Stinton and several other members of the NAR Leadership team. I was pleased (and yes, surprised) to see how much they “got it”.
Personally, I think Dale made a mistake in announcing this position had been filled but not saying by whom. That sort of smacks transparency in the face — and transparency is a cornerstone of social media. But I also personally know that Dale is excited that this position is coming to NAR, and I’m completely confident that he and his team support it.
And that alone is more than enough reason to be optimistic.
I’ll also, right here on this blog that has not exactly been gentle on the NAR, pledge my full support to whoever has been selected. I think it’s critical that the vocal minority (and I include myself in that category) understand that the SMM is not the Messiah. They won’t affect a lot of change in an organization like the NAR in the coming days. Or even months. This is going to be a long, slow process.
I only have one request of the new Social Media Manager. . .
Make sure they don’t sponsor another float. 
The Float
Author: Jim DuncanPosted on January 15, 2009
Filed Under NAR - Advertising | 5 Comments
Rather than recap the float discussion, let’s see the response from NAR, specifically Jim Helsel, NAR Treasurer -
As the NAR Treasurer, I am asked from time to time about the costs of a program, service, or project and the decision support information that goes with it. Recently, a few blog posts (yours being one of them) asked about the idea (and the efficacy) for the Rose Parade float so I thought I’d respond to you directly. Attached is a summary of the decision analysis as well as a cost breakdown, which again, is normally discussed just with internal governing bodies at NAR (Leadership Team, Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Board of Directors). I waited to get the Neilsen figures to respond to your inquiry.
I can tell you the feedback we’ve gotten so far is the vast majority of the membership is extremely proud of this event (albeit a one-time thing). I’ve been a member of NAR for 25+ years and I understand that some may not agree with this allocation of resources. All I can say is we can agree to disagree, but I very much respect your voice and opinion. This is going to be a tough year for all of us (I’m a commercial guy in Harrisburg, PA and we’re really hurtin’) and we’re trying to listen to all those voices — be they yea or nea.
DECISION ANALYSIS
• Brought to NAR by Pasadena Association of Realtors EARLY last year (2008).
• Once in a lifetime, once every 100 years event (to celebrate NAR’s Centennial)
• Major media event watched by 40 million people
• Cost/Benefit- The standard media value analysis provided by Nielsen Ratings indicates the national exposure/impressions value to this project was conservatively $1,128,420.
Bolding mine.
Huge thanks to the NAR for responding, and I certainly understand their choosing to wait until the Nielsen Ratings came in. I appreciate their candor and transparency in this issue. Was it a good use of resources? Perhaps not. Could that nearly $400k been used more effectively? Maybe. But if you trust the Nielsen ratings, from a bottom-line perspective, it was a pretty good return on investment.
I’m not sure if we’ll get any further responses on this issue, but it’s more of an answer than we’ve had so far. 
Can a Man With No Credibility Ever Become Credible?
Author: Jonathan DaltonPosted on December 29, 2008
Filed Under NAR - Forecasts | 2 Comments
File this one under “no kidding.”
David Lereah, one-time chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS, told Money Magazine that he was spinning like a top while issuing press releases during his tenure with NAR:
If you look at my actual forecasts, the numbers were right inline with most forecasts. The difference was that I put a positive spin on it It was easy to do during boom times, harder when times weren’t good. I never thought the whole national real estate market would burst.
But here’s the best part. Dave, author of “Are You Missing the Real Estate Boom,” now disagrees with NAR’s forecast of a slight increase in home prices in 2009.
My views are quite different now. I’m pretty bearish and have been for the past year and a half. Home prices will continue to drop. I think we’ll see a very modest recovery in sales activity in 2009. But we’ve still got excess inventories, a bad economy and a credit crunch that will push prices down further, another 5% to 10% more. It’ll take a long time to get back to the peak prices we saw in many markets.
Did NAR hand Dave back his credibility when he left, akin to a felon getting back his personal belongings on his way out of prison? Does the mere fact that Dave’s dissing NAR’s current forecast leave anyone else inclined to believe Larry Yun?
(Note: I don’t believe Larry Yun, either. But if Dave Lereah told me the sky was blue, I’d be inclined to lay money that it was in fact chartreuse.)
Naturally, the bubble blogs lit up like Christmas trees with this pronouncement which in itself is entertaining since the basic premise there is that people were buying homes based solely on what Dave had to say.
One last note from between the lines. Says Lereah,
I worked for an association promoting housing, and it was my job to represent their interests.
Anyone else read that as saying Dave felt his job was in jeopardy if he didn’t keep up the lies spin during his tenure? And if it was in jeopardy, maybe we ought to be asking from whom and why.
After all, the day truth becomes the enemy is they day nearly all will be lost.
More Rose Parade Madness. And Money.
Author: Jay T. - The EditorPosted on December 24, 2008
Filed Under NAR - General | 5 Comments
First we get the news that the NAR is sponsoring a float in the Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1.
And despite dozens and dozens of views of that post from people in the NAR corporate offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C., there’s been nary a peep on what the cost of that thing is.
And now we get the third video in the “Tournament of Roses Parade Float Webisodes”.
In episode #3, we find out that a special theme song has been written and recorded for the occasion.
As you watch the video, note the awards shown for the composer and lyricists. Here’s a little summary for you:
Composer Charles Fox has been nominated for two Oscars, two Golden Globes, a Grammy, and five Emmy’s (winning two Emmy’s).
Lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman have collected 16 Academy Award nominations (and won 3 times), 8 Grammy nominations with 1 win, and have won 3 Emmys.
Recording artist Steve Tyrell has been involved in winning 2 Grammys and is under contract with Columbia Records.
Do you think that Academy Award / Grammy / Emmy winning artists work for free?
Of course I can’t say for sure, but my guess is. . . probably not.
I’d still like to know how much the float cost. I’d also like to know who is flying to Pasadena to view the spectacle, and what that costs.
And now I’d like to know what the cost is to have a special theme song composed, written, and recorded by award winning artists.
Come on NAR. In the name of full disclosure and fiscal responsibility to your membership (you know, the members that write you checks every year) why don’t you tell us the total cost associated with this parade float?
NAR Sponsors Float in Tournament of Roses Parade
Author: Jay T. - The EditorPosted on December 17, 2008
Filed Under NAR - General | 26 Comments
The NAR is sponsoring a float in the January 1 Tournament of Roses Parade.
One of America’s greatest New Year’s Day traditions, the Tournament of Roses Parade is seen by one out of every four U.S. households, and in more than 150 international territories. This coming year, viewers will enjoy a float sponsored by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, wrapping up the association’s Centennial year of celebrations in style and reinforcing positive messages about REALTORS® and housing.
The inspiration for the NAR float is the Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss. As the story goes, the family is shipwrecked on a deserted island. Rather than give up, they pull together to build a unique home among the trees. The home becomes their strength and solace.
The NAR float will use this concept to highlight the true value of homeownership and how important the “home” is to families today. The design is a creative representation of the Swiss Family Robinson’s home among the trees.
It’s probably just me, but I’m struggling with exactly how the Swiss Family Robinson’s tree house highlights the true value of home ownership and reinforces positive messages about Realtors and housing…
In Part 1 of a video series about the float, NAR President-Elect Vicki Cox Golder says, “Our members are going to be joyful to see that we are representing them in such a historic moment in our time as the National Association of Realtors, but also making the public aware of how proud we are of our members”.
Can’t really say I’m “joyful”.
I have just one question that I can’t find the answer to anywhere on Realtor.org.
How much does this thing cost?
The closest I can come to an answer is in the 2009 Rose Parade Float Application:
WHAT DOES A FLOAT COST?
Float design and construction costs vary and generally begin at approximately $200,000. Costs can be higher or lower depending on sophistication of design, degree of animation, and varieties of floral materials. The Tournament considers floats with both smaller and larger budgets. The mutually agreed-upon cost for a float is an arrangement between the participating organization and a Tournament of Roses approved builder; the Tournament does not receive any of the funds allocated to the building of a float.
ARE THERE ADDITIONAL FEES?
A float participation fee ($6,250 for commercial entries, $3,700 for non-commercial entries) is not included in the builder costs and is paid to the Tournament of Roses after a group is invited to enter a float in the Rose Parade.
Watch Part 2 of the video series (sorry, NAR doesn’t allow embedding of their videos…) and you’ll see this is a pretty sophisticated float, with animation, so I suspect the “beginning price” of $200,000 may have escalated just a wee bit.
We Realtor types believe in full disclosure. I know folks at the NAR read this blog, so how about disclosing the full price for this float? Be sure to include travel and lodging for any NAR execs flying to Pasadena to witness the spectacle. Don’t the members deserve to know where their money is being spent?
Is this money well spent?
Granted, a lot of people watch the Rose Parade on TV. So if they happen to be in front of the tube when the NAR’s float passes by for what, 45 seconds(?), then maybe the $200+ thousand dollars is worth it. I’m sure some of those viewers will say, “Ooh, what a pretty float, we should buy a house!” Or maybe they’ll think, “Look at the nice tree house. We should have more respect for Realtors.”
If nothing else, surely all those that see the float will say to themselves, “That NAR, they sure are proud of their members.”
NAR says ForSaleByOwner.com Press Release Misleading
Author: Jay T. - The EditorPosted on November 13, 2008
Filed Under Realtor.com | 5 Comments
Earlier today I posted here about a press release issued by ForSaleByOwner.com.
The reaction across the “RE.Net” was swift. People were understandably upset that the “Official Site of the NAR” would allow listings of unrepresented sellers.
I struggled from the beginning with some of the claims made by Greg Healy, Vice President of Operations at ForSaleByOwner.com, particularly his claim that “The DOJ-NAR settlement benefited consumers by giving them access to Realtor.com without the expensive cost of a commission fee.”
In an official news brief from the NAR, they call the press release “misleading” and the connection made by Greg Healy to the DOJ/NAR settlement “erroneous”.
The NAR needs to be “politically correct”.
I don’t.
I don’t call what Greg Healy said “misleading and erroneous”.
In my book, Healy’s statements are deceptive, and flat out lies.
Back in July, U.S. News & World Report sponsored an “on-line debate” between myself and Greg Healy. During the course of that debate, I gained a lot of respect for Healy.
Today, that respect has vanished.
ForSaleByOwner.com is his business, and he’s free to run it how he sees fit. If issuing deceptive press releases containing patently false statements is how ForSaleByOwner.com choses to run their business, that’s their decision.
I can’t understand why anyone would chose to do business with a company that demonstrates that kind of ethics, but maybe that’s just me.
From the WTF files: Realtor.com “Partners” with ForSaleByOwner.com?
Author: Jay T. - The EditorPosted on November 13, 2008
Filed Under Realtor.com | 17 Comments
From a ForSaleByOwner press release (my emphasis):
ForSaleByOwner.com Becomes First to Provide New Access to Realtor.com
NEW YORK–ForSaleByOwner.com today announced that it has become the nation’s first “by owner” real estate website to enable home sellers to advertise their home on Realtor.com without appearing on a local Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This new direct access to Realtor.com follows the May 2008 settlement between the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Association of Realtors.
“The DOJ-NAR settlement benefited consumers by giving them access to Realtor.com without the expensive cost of a commission fee,” said Greg Healy, Vice President of Operations at ForSaleByOwner.com. “We’re proud to be the first to offer this new consumer-friendly access to Realtor.com. In today’s challenging housing market, sellers need cost-saving ways to sell their homes.”
“Our typical home seller saves nearly $13,000 in commission and this new access to Realtor.com will help even more people sell their home without using the services of a real estate agent,” added Healy.
Realtor.com is a popular real estate website that attracts nearly five million monthly visits. The new Realtor.com Showcase Listing service from ForSaleByOwner.com will allow sellers to have their homes marketed on Realtor.com, and interested buyers will be able to directly contact these sellers.
I must have completely misinterpreted the DOJ/NAR settlement. I just re-read most of the settlement and still don’t see where this applies.
I’m scratching my head in confusion here. The “Official Site of the National Association of Realtors” is now teaming up with a FSBO site to help people buy and sell homes without the help of a Realtor.
WTF?
UPDATE #1:
Michael Wurzer opines on FBS blog about the claim that this came about as a result of the DOJ/NAR settlement. He makes very valid points. But it still leaves many questions unanswered. So a “broker affiliate” with FSBO.com is involved. Why the “Official Site of the NAR” allows a broker to enter non-MLS listings for an unrepresented seller to appear — with contacts going directly to the seller — is beyond me. Are they that hard up for more enhanced listings fees?
UPDATE #2:
Scott Bruner, CEO of the Virginia Association of Realtors, emailed Laurie Janik, NAR General Counsel, about this matter. Here is Ms. Janick’s response (more details at VARBuzz):
Please reassure your members that there are no unlisted properties on Realtor.com.
We still cannot figure out the basis for the outrageous claims being made by ForSaleByOwner.com in this press release. No relationship exists between that entity and Realtor.com. Listings displayed on Realtor.com continue to be provided by the MLSs, and contrary to the headline, there is NO “agent free access to Realtor.com”.
Sarasota Association of Realtors: Where does one start?
Author: Jay T. - The EditorPosted on October 27, 2008
Filed Under NAR - General | 4 Comments
Search the Sarasota MLS.
I’m sure anyone who reads this tiny slice of the real estate blogiverse is already well aware of the situation with the Sarasota Association of Realtors taking away control of a domain name from one of their own members, Marc Rasmussen.
The purpose of this post isn’t to tell the story all over again, that’s been done dozens of times. (If you want the details, the post I wrote on the Sarasota Association of Realtors has links to 44 other posts on the subject). The story has been told, and in my opinion, what the SAR is doing is deplorable. Despicable. A travesty.
The actual purpose of this post is simple. It’s to throw a little link love to Marc’s site. One tiny step to help him rebuild his web presence that the Sarasota Association of Realtors is trying to rip right out from under him.
And, well, let’s be honest. I also want yet another post to rank on Google for the search “Sarasota Association of Realtors“. At this moment in time, if you google that term, 7 of the first 10 results and 13 of the top 20 results are about this railroading.
There’s room for one more… You see SAR, the words in the domain name are but a tiny piece of the puzzle as to what makes a site rank where it does. Search your very associations name, and watch what happens. While you are searching, you may want to search “reputation management” and do a little reading on that subject.
Fight the fight Marc. I know it’s expensive (you can donate to Marc’s legal defense fund here). That you are standing up for what is right and not letting someone stomp all over your for their own selfish gain speaks volumes to your character. I would think anyone looking for real estate in Sarasota would be well served by Marc Rasmussen.