Looking out for the consumer: The Red(fin) campaign

Typically, that's what news organizations try to do -- look out for the consumer. But of course, real estate is no typical business. Redfin stirred the media pot again this morning with this Inman News exclusive, "The Real Estate Consumer's Bill of Rights." The company created a set of basic consumer rights, including the right to know how your agent is being paid, the right to see all the houses that are for sale, and the right to have an open discussion about houses on the market. (See full story for the full list of 10.)

From Redfin: "To make real estate the industry we all want it to be, we have to protect consumers' ability to make informed choices by acknowledging a basic set of rights upon which everyone can agree. We thus hope to build a coalition of brokers committed to these rights so that consumers can buy or sell houses through any of us with confidence."

We agree and suspect that many others will too.

The company has already won the support of those who've criticized its past performances and statements in the media, including Realtor and blogger Kevin Boer, who gives his take over at the 3 Oceans Real Estate Blog.

The real estate industry suffers from bad public perception as shown in a recent Harris Poll. An initiative like this could work to improve that.

Tell us your opinion here at the Inman Blog or write a letter to the editor at opinion@inman.com.

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