NAR debuts HouseLogic site
Tools for consumers could help NAR rally support for political causes
By Inman News, Tuesday, February 16, 2010.The National Association of Realtors has officially launched HouseLogic, a Web site that's aimed at reaching not just buyers and sellers, but consumers "throughout the life cycle of homeownership."
When HouseLogic launched in Beta test mode in November, its debut was largely overshadowed by NAR's simultaneous announcement that it had formed a subsidiary company to provide a national property database for its members, Realtors Property Resource LLC (RPR).
Unlike real estate search and valuation sites like Realtor.com (operated on behalf of NAR by Move Inc.), Zillow and Trulia, HouseLogic will not offer access to listings or individual properties.
Instead, the site offers a collection of tools, information and advice that's geared to helping consumers "maintain, protect and increase the value of their homes," NAR said in a press release.
The site also "empowers homeowners who want to get more actively engaged in shaping community life and advocate neighborhood and homeownership issues that matter most to them," NAR said.
In an Inman News column, industry consultant Robert Hahn said HouseLogic could also help NAR generate grassroots support for the group's political causes.
To get access to all of the site's tools and obtain "customized recommendations," HouseLogic users must create an account for themselves, and provide the site with an e-mail address.
Users can opt in to receive e-mails on specific topics, including HouseLogic newsletters, "alerts about national issues related to housing," and "alerts regarding state and local political issues that are relevant to me." ...CONTINUED
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Submitted by William Metzker on February 16, 2010 - 2:35pm.
People must have spent a lot of time talking to one another over three-martini lunches to have come up with this one.
Submitted by Albert Clark on February 16, 2010 - 5:43pm.
HI, Last week we sent out almost 300,000 newsletters to our Homeowner members who are clients and prospects of Agents( a sponsored program). The lead article was on the MID issue and it became the most widely read article we ever sent. We now have members signing up to get alerts and involved with our advocacy engine we are developing.
Since House Logic started I have been watching for their grass roots efforts to show up. I have talked with many agents who visited HL and like our way of educating their client base on relevant Home-Themed issues. They always OWN their membership list with Home Actions. By end of summer we will have near 1 million homeowners getting our bi weekly newsletters. We know where they are and where their Congressman and Senator are(physically and on the issues).
I reached out to House Logic at the launch in San Diego and since then. If anyone wants to know their reaction, ask me off line. We have always wanted to help the industry and feel we still can. A few of us Advocates started a Non Profit Homeowners group in DC in the 90s's and it MAY be time to "get he band back together" (Blues Brothers analogy) Mr. Hahn is correct in that effective pressure can be applied if done correctly ....not activity directed by NAR Gov. Affairs ON BEHALF of Homeowners. How about this time we do it WITH Homeowners.
I have lost sleep over the potential of NAR, MBA, ALTA, RESPRO and others aligning their respective memberships with a REAL grassroots coalition. I am not talking about the members of these groups but the RELAQTIONSHIPS THEY have, the contacts sitting in their outlook and top producer. I know this because they send these contacts to US every day. With the right egos checked at the door it can be accomplished in 60 days. When Housing Lobbyists go to the Hill sure they want every benefit of home-ownership preserved, expanded and treated as a RIGHT. Homeowners, on the other hand can relate to the policy changes and advocate with their Mouse ...and in the polls.
Maybe I will sleep better tonight!
Albert Clark
Home Actions Relationship Platform
Scranton, PA
570 510 3507
aclark@homeactions.net