Dan Cummings - The Running Realtor: Connecticut Real Estate - Free MLS Home Search Site at CTREAL.com

Interesting.....with our mls now public, makes no sense renewing realtor.com.....

Wow!  This seems like a terrific service offered in Connecticut.  I wonder how long before this will catch on to other states.  SANDRA...you're right!  This seems like Realtor.com may have a problem...or become more afforadable to keep the Realtors interested!

This is cool! Wish I had something like this embedded on my website!

Dan, how does this differ from Realtor.com.  It seems to give the same information as Realtor.com, which does not give all the information that is on the MLS, things like taxes and condo fees.  I do like the way that it shows you where all the properties are located on a map, and a quick summary and picture of the property.

Sandra... Certainly a nice link to add to individual agent websites.  The downside I see is our direct access phone number does not show up.  Hopefully on-line users will EMAIL for information instead of calling the general office phone and losing interest if they get voicemail.  At least if the call makes it to our voice mail they have the option of pressing "0" to connect on our cell.

Susie... They did nearly double our dues a year or two ago... they can afford to offer better service.

Jennifer...  It is a nice intermediate step,  not quite as full featured as an IDX feed but the price is much more attractive.

George... I think the biggest difference for consumers is the consistency of the presentation.  Realtor.com is filled with flashy fluff such as advertising banners,  showcased listings and so on.... Plus agents are charged just to have their name show up with their listings....  

I like the ctreal site but I can't figure out how to go back to the list after viewing the details of a home.  If I use the back button in the browser it brings me back to the home page.  If I click on List View again it brings me back to page 1 of my search results.  What am I doing wrong?  Thanks.

Mike,  Near the top of the screen pick LIST VIEW to go back to the search results.

Dan - For all intensive purposes, I think this is a neat find.  Wish I could find something like this for my area.

Hello Dan, Yes, I like it as well.  Also, for GEORGE, I found that if you break it down by comparison of two or more properties, then it does have a column for taxes and assessment, unlike Realtor.com.  Check it out - in grid view, check two properties, hit compare and the view brings you to "Property Comparison."  It is pretty complete.  Thanks for bringing this to Ct's attention, Dan.

Maggie

Dan,

I hate to be the wet blanket, but wouldn't you rather the potential clients came to your website? Here's the thing I do not like; starting in May you will be able to pay for placement on CTReal. You may not remember, but this is how REALTOR.com started out, first it was great, then you could pay for better placement, then they started accepting advertisers, some of which were lead aggregaters, who then sold leads back to us-the agents with the listings that attracted the leads to begin with. I was a strong proponent of the statewide MLS, attended all the meetings to make sure it stayed under the NAR umbrella, and that we would still have some control. I think there should have been some meetings and imput from the members regarding what the future of this site will be, afterall it is our listings that will attract people to the site.

Billie...  I wasn't aware that the Statewide MLS was going the Realtor.com route and certainly don't plan on paying yet another company that is trying to screw me out of business.  Decided to let my paid placement on Realtor.com lapse when it comes up for renewal next month since I haven't seen much activity from them.  Also I never direct people to my company domain since they also implemented an "enhancement package" for agents to pay for better visiblity. We already pay a marketing fee on every sale that supported the development of the company website so I am extremely annoyed with the decision to charge us more plus require a substantial referral fee for any lead that comes through the website.  Guess no matter where we look the "real estate monopoly" is getting fat off our work and always looking for more.....

Dan,

My biggest problem with the whole thing is that we (the members) were never consulted. They must have been developing this for some time. There was plenty of time to get imput from Brokers and Agents. When the MLS was Board controlled we were always in the loop. I recently called CMLS to ask a question if another Companies agent that had an offer on one of our listings (short sale) could list the home on the MLS (keep in mind, he does not own the home yet & we have an exclusive right to sell contract). Their answer was we will try and discourage it, a week later it is listed on the MLS. with the agent and our company causing confusion to the public and not helping the Seller. How would CMLS even know? The Board was on top of double listings now it's like anything goes.

Dan,

By way of disclosure, my name is Cameron Paine and I am the CEO of the Connecticut Statewide MLS, creator of CTreal.com.  Unfortunately, it seems that you have gotten some bad information.  CTreal.com is NOT using a pay-for-placement platform, nor do we have any intention of doing so.  Part of the reason we created CTreal.com was because the Board of Directors felt that realtor.com was not meeting our member's needs specifically because of advertising, paid placement, etc.

To address another question above, all leads on CTreal.com go directly back to the agent (via email) or the brokerage (via web site).  We are working on the means to allow links directly to the agent's website with the broker's approval in the future.

Last, but not least, CTreal.com is a benefit of the Connecticut Statewide MLS (CTMLS).  CMLS listings will NOT appear in CTreal.com.

Cameron,  Glad to hear the Statewide MLS is not hitting us with more fees for placement especially during these lean economic times.  This post was written the day the site was launched but after my initial investigation of the system I haven't really used it.  Unfortunately if decisions are left to the larger broker's I wonder how long before they will force their will on everyone.  Seems Administrative Fees,  Marketing Fees and fairly steep referral fees for any leads coming directly from many brokerage sites are quite common.