Let's make something clear right away.
I am a new player in this market.
We have developed only one MLS solution for a local Vancouver client and, while it has done very well for him, I recognize that our platform has a ways to go before it can legitimately challenge some of the market leaders.
None the less, after a recent visit to New York (the Inman, Real Estate Connect Conference), I was struck by how fragmented and diverse the industry was and how little cooperation was built into the process.
Control, seems to be the common theme.
Making it hard for people, companies, competitors ... to get access to "your" data (peoples house listings).
Except that's where I think there is a disconnect.
It's not "your data" really is it?
It's the person that is listing their home that is supposed to be served in this equation right?
How is 'controlling' access to their listing data actually helping them to sell their home faster, and for the most money possible?
It's not really is it?
It's serving the broker, agent, even the local MLS ... it's really not helping the client reach the MOST people possible with their listing, it's adding an asset to that brokerages bottom line.
Isn't it possible that I won't actually click to buy a house on the internet?
I mean, I guess a big broker brand could invest in a "zappos like" customer experience team that could conceivably walk me from discovery, through mortgage application, title clearance, inspection and even help choose the color of the newborns room...
But really? Do you think the agent is going to become irrelevant in this process if they "loose control" of the listing data?
I don't think brokers and the local MLS's are giving enough credit to their agents.
Here's why the data should be free:
- Substantially increased market reach
- Distributes the cost of ownership
- Encourages innovation
- Better serves the market
But what about .... <insert industry icon dinosaur name here>
They'll adapt, evolve and come out stronger in the end.
Or they'll become extinct because they no longer served the needs of their clients.
This applies the same to any of the players at the table. Boards, providers, brokers or agents.
So ...
What does an open source real estate database look like?
A cloud based service first off, with strong open API's that require authentication, but are available for information updating in both directions by anyone that wants to register. (Think google maps)
Decentralized ability to add photo's, historical data, geo location aware addressing and other user generated content features.
Strong library of integration code, widgets and other data access services making it easy for people to query, manipulate and access the data in as many different ways as they can think of.
What else does a platform like this need, in truth it should be answered by the community I would think.
Subscribe To The Discussion
Let us keep you in the loop with this discussion.
What do you think?
Don't let this important discussion happen without your input, leave us your comments below.
