Robert Refkin inaccurately criticizes the Clear Cooperation Rule as violating the National Association of REALTORS Code of Ethics and state laws. Despite his objections, the rule is pro-consumer, fostering competition and better market exposure. The arguments against it are flawed and often disregard the broader benefits to both buyers and sellers.
Zillow is an advertising portal hell bent on being in front of the consumer’s eyes 24/7. They are headline grabbers and media manipulators of the first water – and I say that with some admiration because they are so darn good at it. Everything that Zillow does is about getting the consumer to visit them – a sensible and practical goal since that traffic is what they want to capture, package and sell to the industry.
As the real estate market has heated up, the topic of pocket listings has become a focus for many agents and brokers around the country.
“Pocket” or “off-market” listings aren’t really a new phenomenon; in every real estate market where listings are scarce, there have always been real estate agents who saw opportunities to increase their income by offering limited exposure marketing programs to sellers.