Some agents are beginning to question the value of offering consumers the ability to search listings on agent websites. But is foregoing listing search a smart strategy?

As a follow-up to one of Inman News’ most popular articles last week, we invited two agents who aren’t offering listing search on their websites — Greg Fischer, broker-owner of Fort Worth, Texas-based Fischer Real Estate Services, and Alyssa Hellman, an agent with Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. in the Washington, D.C. area — to discuss the topic with residential real estate consultant Victor Lund, founding partner of Southern California-based WAV Group.

Some agents are beginning to question the value of offering consumers the ability to search listings on agent websites. But is foregoing listing search a smart strategy?

As a follow-up to one of Inman News’ most popular articles last week, we invited two agents who aren’t offering listing search on their websites — Greg Fischer, broker-owner of Fort Worth, Texas-based Fischer Real Estate Services, and Alyssa Hellman, an agent with Long & Foster Real Estate Inc. in the Washington, D.C. area — to discuss the topic with residential real estate consultant Victor Lund, founding partner of Southern California-based WAV Group.
[fliqz id=”3dc9e7395ef247589e4d3a3003358896″]

Both Fischer and Hellman say the decision to leave listing search off their sites was a strategic one, not a monetary one.

“It’s basically a marketing decision,” Fischer said. “As I decide what it is that I want to communicate as a real estate agent and a broker and a brand, I’ve made the conscious choice that our representation services are what clients are looking to purchase from us, not the actual home.”

Hellman had a similar take. Listing search “is not the value I’m adding to clients,” Hellman said. “I think the role of the agent has shifted as the industry has shifted.”

Victor Lund, however, thinks agents should have search on their sites.

“Property search is one of the very unique opportunities that agent have. There’s a role that data and technology play in servicing your client,” Lund said. “At some point there needs to be a dialogue or conversation between the agent and their customer specifically around properties and sharing that information is really hard so you need tools to do that.”

 

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
Only 3 days left to register for Inman Connect Las Vegas before prices go up! Don't miss the premier event for real estate pros.Register Now ×
Limited Time Offer: Get 1 year of Inman Select for $199SUBSCRIBE×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×