I'm (hopefully) just finishing up my first experience with a realtor, and I wouldn't recommend anybody ever hire one on their desired terms due to the perverse incentives. This realtor talked a good game and was decent at getting people through the house, holding open houses, ongoing marketing, etc. But as soon as we got the first offer letter, she checked out and became utterly useless. I'd recommend either paying one a fixed fee for marketing only (still contingent upon closing), or a 20-30% commission on the part of the price above what a passive MLS listing would easily sell the house for. Basically, don't count on them actually representing you through negotiation and closing, as they will see it as a completed job that finishes itself and apply themselves to other clients.
Show HN: We just launched Homelight, a data-driven realtor finder
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Re: Show HN: We just launched Homelight, a data-driven realtor finder
#12Trying to add an agent, but it is giving me an Application Error every time.
Re: Show HN: We just launched Homelight, a data-driven realtor finder
#13Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yea, a "Town or Zip Code" placeholder would help direct users a bit.
Yes, It needs some default text there for sure, but it should auto detect your location and pre-populate that based on IP address. Are you outside of the USA by chance? Could also just be a limitation of the GeoIP database
Inferring a user's location based on IP4 address is cancer. Don't encourage cancer.
Re: Show HN: We just launched Homelight, a data-driven realtor finder
#14The information you guys provide could be a good starting point. However, in my experience, having good metrics (number of sales etc., ) is not the only means to gauge the quality of a realtor. There are a lot of intangibles (not pushy, comfort level, knowledgeable, empathy to your buying/selling criteria etc.) are very important as well. If you simply go by sales numbers etc, the data will get heavily skewed in favor of big realtors, who can afford to hire a team of other people to work for them and thereby work on and close more deals.
Re: Show HN: We just launched Homelight, a data-driven realtor finder
#15Congrats on the launch guys :)
Re: Show HN: We just launched Homelight, a data-driven realtor finder
#16I entered Santa Cruz CA in the main search bar and when I click Find Realtor, nothing happens. Horrible first impression to a real user. Some sort or message or verification would make me think the site isn't "broken". Mac, Chrome Version 23.0.1271.64
Best of luck!
Re: Show HN: We just launched Homelight, a data-driven realtor finder
#17Great looking site, but the main search box needs some work. It correctly prepopulated my location as 'Brooklyn, NY', but when I hit search, it took me to a result page for 'Rye Brook, NY' with no matches.
Re: Show HN: We just launched Homelight, a data-driven realtor finder
#18Support for Canada?
Re: Show HN: We just launched Homelight, a data-driven realtor finder
#19I entered Santa Cruz CA in the main search bar and when I click Find Realtor, nothing happens. Horrible first impression to a real user. Some sort or message or verification would make me think the site isn't "broken". Mac, Chrome Version 23.0.1271.64 Best of luck!
There might might have been an issue with the search:
http://www.homelight.com/santa-cruz-ca/top-real-estate-agent...
Should take you to the page.
Re: Show HN: We just launched Homelight, a data-driven realtor finder
#20Trying to add an agent, but it is giving me an Application Error every time.
I apologize for the difficulties, we're in the process of fixing the agent signup and will be sending emails out later today when it's complete.