The following is a collection of reader comments found on Inman.com:
Online brokers can lack human touch
Iggys House CEO reports ‘restructuring’
"Online brokerage services have a long way to go. In concept, they sound neat, but real people need real help. A Web site approach can’t provide the handholding needed for most buyers or sellers during the purchase and sale of their most important asset. A cheap fee and no service equate to a poor business model. Most people see through this business model and choose a full-service brokerage for a variety of real world reasons."
–Peter Tremulis
Praying for higher interest rates
1930s-style collapse haunts economy
"I for one am praying for an interest-rate increase. If no one is buying anything, why lower interest rates? People will slow down on discretionary spending, like new cars, TVs, dinner out, iPods, etc. People will not/cannot stop spending money on staples and energy. People need fuels for their cars, food on the table, and energy for their home. Everything else can wait. Inflation caused by the weak dollar (and many other factors) is causing these items to go through the roof. We need to do what we can to strengthen the U.S. dollar and slow inflation down. People will begin to spend again when they are not emptying their bank accounts to fill up their cars and buy groceries!"
—Ryan Elliot
Brokers should court experienced agents ‘with vigor’
Patching up a house divided
"Many brokers are facilitators and liability shields for their agents and do not offer much to the experienced/successful agents. They should be courting these agents with vigor, as these independent agents represent the future of the industry."
—Jim Duncan
Share the facts, help people find homes
A good time to buy? It depends
"Saying that it is a good time to buy real estate is like saying that aspirin is a good medicine. It may be a great medicine for a headache but it might hurt you if you have an ulcer. Broad, self-serving ‘NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY’ statements just further deprecate any credibility we have as professionals. Why don’t we share the FACTS and help people solve the problem of finding a suitable place to live."
—Richard Greenwood
Take the high road
Playing nice in a ‘culture of disrespect’
"I believe the most important thing all of us can do, regardless of who we are or where we fall in the Realtor food chain, is to continue to travel the high road. The example we all set by taking that ‘road less traveled’ is often the only thing that helps others remember all of the good things that we are blessed (with)."
–Bill Hurt
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