Tasty Real Estate

just saw this article about the DOJ suit against the national association of realtors linked from the matrix blog. i think the key paragraph is this one about the new opt-out rules to keep MLS listings off the internet:

The policy does not require brokers to disclose to clients that their listings would be withheld from some prospective purchasers as a result of the brokers’ opt-out decision. In addition, in the markets that have already implemented the Policy, brokers have already exercised their opt-out rights and have excluded their clients’ listings from broker operated VOWs, as well as from brokers who will use password protected Web sites to provide listings to their customers in the future.

brokers will not be required to tell their clients that listings are being kept off the internet, but in an increasingly buyers’ market, the sellers are almost certain to learn of this policy, and my guess is that they will NOT be pleased. if i were selling today, would i want my listing withheld from the internet? well the short answer is: no way.

and by game, i really mean a GAME. the object is to flip as many houses as possible until you can purchase the big mansion on the hill. warning: may be habit forming!

we posted a couple new videos over on our sister site, ClaytonLiving. we really believe that online video is a seriously underutilized technology in real estate, and we are going to do our best to bring entertaining and useful content to our readers and viewers. how cool would it be to start off your open-house hunting weekend with a ipod loaded up with video preview tours of properties in the areas you are interested in? well the technology is here TODAY, and to us it represents an enormous opportunity to help buyers and sellers. buyers appreciate the ability to get much more information about a property than can be gleaned from just photos and numbers, and sellers are attracted by the power of video to present their home in a much more immediate and compelling way.
the properties are 374 blue oak lane and 391 blue oak lane, and the direct links to the videos are below. please leave a comment, drop us an email, or give us a call and let us know what you think. and DEFINITELY get ahold of us if you have a home you think we should see, we will come by with the camera and do a walkthrough of your place! do it now, while we’re still doing it for free!
(you will need the latest version of quicktime if you don’t already have it installed).