Each one of us should petition to our board not to sell to these sites.

Realtor.com has stopping selling listings to Z and Trla this year, they just turn around subscribe direct. These sites direct about 40% of total traffic.

The same should be out lawed in each State is credit back. In our area there are many agents live on  0.5-1% commission by given back rest to customers. You make it illegal these discounted agent will go out of business because they do not have any added value.

I have no use and do not participate with anything Z.  I may be cutting my nose off to spite my face but it's my way of rebelling.

I am so happy you wrte what i was thinking. Only if every other agent thought the same way. It is a crime what they do to us hard working listing agents

Yes, I do realize that. By the same token, each year I earn about $25,000 in commissions from my Market Leader account, while my expense is less than $2,500. And I don't include in this figure income from referrals and repeat business I get that came through this source.

David Barr, I agree with you, it is too bad that so many people don't get it and allow the companies to take advantage of our hard work.

I ahve been saying this for years.  Use just the MLS, people will know where to go and we will have to do less work

There are those who have drank the Kool-Aid.

What I LIKE about this development of darkside dominance and the contribution of so much money by so many REALTORS is their actions is creating viable space for the agent and broker who  chooses not be join the board,

The 'light bulb' moment may indeed to the illumination of opportunity.

I have yet to meet a buyer who does not troll the dark side.

Wholeheartedly agree with you and we do not advertise with any of these companies.

Luckily, have had no need to pay for leads. 

Zillow is also telling you to give them your sold data because it makes you more important and more likely to get leads. Leads you need to be a Premier Agent to get. 

Someday more will realize the return on investment is not a good return.

The bill of goods is their ranking only!

I was taught long ago not to pay for ammunition that would be fired on you !

This is a very good reminder of the reality of the competition faced by real estate agents.

I don't pay for leads.  In any event, none of the companies you mention want us Canadians as customers since they don't serve the Canadian market.

Thank you, David.   This is indeed a light bulb moment and worth review and research.  Best regards, - Nibal 

Well said.  I give you a big amen.

I've been trying to tell people this for years, good luck conving most people sadly. It can all be done ourself at a fraction of the cost per lead if people just put the time in upfront.

David,
Local associations and brokers should hammer this home every day.

This light bulb went on a long time ago for me.

That's  why I will never pay to advertise on their sites.  I do it for free on Z and Realtor.  No luck getting in to claim my listings on redfin though.  :( 

In my experience, even without Z, R and RF you'd still have to compete with the big brokerages for the top 10 spaces.  Not very likely to happen.

I don't particularly care for Z, R or RF and I won't pay to advertise on any site, but the vast majority of people who come to my open houses come from these sites.  I average over 1,000 views per week of my listings on these sites, so there is good exposure.  As long as I can continue to get it for free, I'm good with it.  I don't get calls or emails from these sites, but my contact info is on every photo and at the top and bottom of the listing descriptions.  I certainly make it easy for people to contact me.

True.  But you realize that these company's will be here either way?  At this point, Zillow.com is not going away.  I figured out what you are saying the first time I bought Zillow.com stock.  The agents, (US) are paying for the site, they is how they make their money nationally but advertising spots.  IF every agent stopped buying their ads, where would they be?  I got you.  However, the days of the agents "owning" the inventory are over regardless.  

It makes sense if you are a big lister.

"Does funding or participating with these companies now make sense to you?"

No

David Barr Maybe we'll get the hint when they take over the industry.

I do not pay to advertise on these sites. they get syndicated and my name appears as listing agent.

David - I have realized this for a long time, but consumers love Zillow, and I really don't think Zillow is going anywhere. They will find a way to share listings on their site (even though they are not accurate) one way or another.

I don't pay to advertise on them, and certainly don't agree with what they are doing, but this is the world we live in.

Nope, never has David Barr 

 Good morning David. I know. Tell that to the general public who wants to have their home put on Zillo and Tulia.

      You see it, David!

     Zillow will soon transfer their online dominance to brick-and-mortar offices in major metropolitan areas.  They will endow selected Brokers and Agents with the title of "Zillow Agents".   Zillow will totally dominate those markets based upon Brand / Name Recognition.

      Maybe we cannot stop this juggernaut... but why help finance it?

I do not pay for Zillow or other like platforms.

It never has David, and I never have paid them anything.

Yet, they still do it, because it's easier to throw good money at quick (mostly poor) results than working it the hard way.

David, du-uh!  That's why you read so many Zulia rants on ActiveRain!

According to my research, your audience makes extenisive use of the ZTR platforms. I see many smart agents here on ActiveRain who take advantage and place themselves in front of their audience. Glancing at their production numbers, it appears they're doing very well by using the ZTR platforms for their advertising.

But what about Realtor.com? They are owned by Newscorp and endorsed by NAR. Pretty sure that someone, NAR, the local Boards or both are getting money for allowing our listings to be on Realtor.com and the other sites that they own, which are many.