I just finished a search for a potential client.
They are looking for a 3 bedroom, 1 bath home that is pet friendly and have a wide geographic scope of where they would live and a fairly high price ceiling for the marketplace.
So, I started in my legacy, local, required MLS service on the space windows computer that I keep at my desk. (Note: I am a Mac user with an iPhone and I don’t do windows. And yes, I do have Fusion with XP but why slow my Mac down. My MLS is still a server with an active-X link, so only available on an IE browser).
After pulling up 29 properties that fit the criteria, I was astonished to see (or for that matter not see) listings of over 90 days with NO PICTURES. You think that’s a good one, how about the listing with NO DESCRIPTION.
Now, let me start with my usual skeptical side. These agents know that they don’t have pictures because they want potential renters to call. They think that way, they can block out other agents and do a double bubble!
My nice side would say that they forgot or their camera is broken or the seller won’t let them take pictures. Yea right! I don’t think my nice side wins this argument!
The MLS in the Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern new Jersey, Northern Delaware (https://www.trendmls.com) does not have a rule that makes a picture within 24-48 a necessity.
I think getting that changed would be harder than passing ObamaCare through an all-Tea party Republican Congress.
But, it must. It’s all about being on a level playing field. This is just a business trick (to quote a current commercial) and if we real estate agents really want to get our public image out of the gutter, we have to petition our MLS (and yours if they do the same) to get this as a rule.
Yes, there are 20,000 other things that need to get done, but this can be a good start.
Above is the transcript to the video below. Enjoy:
