There have been a lot of discussions lately regarding Blogging, both it’s merits and potential for fallout on many levels. The problem with trying to keep Blogging under wraps: If you do, you have the potential for political backlash, both from the agents that build the brand of the broker (Re/Max, Windermere, Coldwell Banker, etc. ) and the Blogosphere itself, an enormous Goliath. Is it a battle anyone really wants to have?
Over at the Seattle PI Real Estate Professionals Blog, agent Sandy Kaduce remarked, “they will take away my blog from me when they pry it from my dead cold hands.” And, our friends howling down in the Sun in Phoenix take on the National Assn. of Realtors possible policy on curbing blogging for its membership.
But, what if an agent’s very own client blogs about their very own listing for sale and soliciting advice from the general public? For example, this case at Seattle Bubble from blogger “Econ101”. (a little more than halfway down in the comment fields)
I’m not certain anyone understands the possible repercussions of curbing blogging.
What’s wrong with transparancy?
Nothing is wrong with transparency. I am hoping this all turns into a tempest in a teapot. It seems like trying to curtail blogging is like trying to kill the hydra. You cut off one head and three more will spring up in its place.
But it wouldn’t be the first time that organization tried to do something that made no sense.
I agree with Sandy. Trying to stop people blogging about real estate would be like trying to stop the tide from rising at any point around the Pacific Ocean. You might be able to stop one little inlet if you are a giant but it would be impossible to stop the entire coastal area.
With blogging RE agents like Ardell will succeed because of their honesty and knack for being open. On the otherhand bloggers like Rob will only cause themselves more pain.
I remember my husband asking me (after I was hooked on blogging) what I would do if my company tried to control or stop my blogging…without even thinking, I said I’d quit. I know Mortgage Master is MUCH smaller scale than NAR or the major brokers… I’ve encouraged the management at Mortgage Master to subscribe to my blogs if they’re interested in what I’m saying in the blogosphere.
Interesting post!
Me thinks the cats already out of the bag……
Blog on!
If I weren’t a Broker, I sincerely doubt I could blog the way that I do under most Real Estate Company Policies. I might be able to blog. But not the way that I do it.
If NAR would nix it, I’d just quit NAR. If NWMLS could possibly nix it, I’d call the DOJ or Attorney Barry 🙂
I considered going over to Zip Realty once a while back. At the end they said I couldn’t blog. I said great meeting you.
Woodinville Homeowner asks, “What’s wrong with Transparency”? There are a lot of sellers who would not want their shortcomings shown with their best features. Like fabulous floor: plan; needs roof 🙂
Well, I do stick with Windermere’s policy on not blogging about other people’s listings, and I think that is fair. There are enough things to talk about with regards to real estate that we really don’t need to do things that might be harmful to someone’s client.
Actually, maybe that is a NWMLS policy. Regardless, I do my best to abide by it.
“There’s too many people coming here for us not to have it continue to be strong,” said Reba Haas
Classic.
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_101607WABhome_sellers_LJ.17704167c.html
Talk about “off topic”.
I find it hard to believe agencies try to prohibit blogging. It’s actually encouraged at our office, and I don’t think that’s good either.
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>If I weren’t a Broker, I sincerely doubt I could blog the way that I do under most Real Estate Company Policies. I might be able to blog. But not the way that I do it.
Very perceptive.
It is a NWMLS policy not to advertise another agents listings, not a Windermere, Re/Max, JLS or other policy. This is also a policy that was in place long before blogging, and it just happens to apply to blogging as well as other print or web media. I am unaware of any movement by any big broker to curb blogging. I’m affiliated with Windermere and as a company they promote it and in fact offer classes on blogging so I’m not sure where you are coming up with the big broker keeping blogging under wraps idea????
Blog on.
This certainly is going to be an interesting story to follow. I suspect that there will be certain guide lines put in place. Maybe a bloggers code of ethics?