REALonomics .net

REALonomics.net wishes Stu the best in the days ahead. When we were pioneering our own efforts circa 1994-99, the inspiration of Stu and others like him always stood as examples of leadership in the practical use of the Internet within the real estate industry. Since the early days of the Internet, few have made their mark on the real estate industry information front a lasting one..Stu is the exception. While others came and sadly went, Stu persevered. His eNeighborhoods informational model will stand as the fundamental precursor to the current transparent communities, blogging and consumer-centric models now being created. Our team wishes you the very best, Stu. REALonomics.net

Groups and tribes are alive and well but they can be as few as one and that is where we find ourselves within the real estate industry. We are "Realsen" with a hangover. It may come to the point that we finally realize we cannot be reinvented, reshaped and retooled, only replaced. Our new reality may come to us as we witness first hand a mushroom cloud and are pelted with the fragments of an exploded and outmoded model. Furthermore, we must ask the question, can we rebuild the morning after? The sun is beginning to rise on an an industry that hasn't yet been willing to acknowledge irrelevance...BOOM! -REALonomics.net

The most significant observation in Marc's article is, "People don't trust what they don't know." The consumer wants transparency and full access to all things "real estate." Transparency, complete access to property information and a sense of full partnership create trust...nothing less. We are an industry whose model was birthed in an era of information control. For the most part this model still prevails despite the overwhelming evidence that it doesn't work and the consumer doesn't want it. It's silly and sad that we continue to think we can spit shine our broken model. Do we really think we can duct tape or super-glue the pieces of an industry that is becoming increasingly shattered into thousands of shards. Mr. Davison hit the nail on the head when he likened us to an industry with "an abundance of unbelievable, erroneous, gratuitous statements can and will pollute the well of trust for any profession." To this day, our story remains about us, sadly.