HomeGain Makes Another Step Forward Into Real Estate Market

Posted February 1st, 2006 by Max Chirkov
in
Looking through todays news I spotted this press release announced by BIRDVIEW Technologies - one of the well known Online MLS Service providers and lead management systems for real estate professionals.
BIRDVIEW Technologies today announced an agreement with HomeGain to provide BIRDVIEW’s clients a special reduced pricing on HomeGain’s Buyer Link Product.
“HomeGain’s BuyerLink delivers qualified visitors to agent and broker websites more efficiently and consistently than any traffic source in the industry” says Chris Hendricks, National Sales Director at HomeGain “but good traffic requires strong lead capture and lead management tools to be effective converting internet opportunities into actual transactions. BIRDVIEW tools help agents and brokers do an outstanding job converting the BuyerLink traffic we deliver.”
HG made smart strategical move I would say. More people will feed this fast growing monster. Let's take a fast look at the available pricing options (Agent Evaluator is the only one that has pricing online) - HG charges $29.95 per months for an average of 30 leads per month and 30% from gross closed commission, based on minimum 2% of the gross sales price. Did you notice that "minimum" word? Check out their explanation on how the referral fee works. 30%? If I were realtor® and HG's client - I wouldn't count myself self employed. From my point of view HG is getting too big and an average agent can not compete with it online. Does it affect you as a realtor® or your business? Would be interesting to hear your thoughts.
February 6th, 2006
Randall Wilson
The homegain/ birdview marketing relationship should provide a pretty good tool for agents to receive additional leads. I am not sure of the percentage of commission that HomeGain will charge with this co-branded service, but it will be workth it if it increases sales. -Randy www.4mysales.com
February 6th, 2006
Post Author: Max Chirkov - Phoenix, AZ
Photo of Max Chirkov.
Of course it will work, there is no doubts in that. HG is pretty much trying to monopolize the market at the same time not providing any services to your clients. They market themselves very successfully. What happens - just because they have money to invest they come up on majority of real estate related searches at the top, and where they don't - they buy ads and bid more then a real estate agent can afford. Why? To sell you the lead you would probably get if HG wasn't there to take it before you. How would you feel if they opened a shiny green-orange office next door from yours and put up a huge billboard (just because they have money for it) and every customer who walks in into their office would be generously referred to you just for 30% referral fee. Well, that actually would be much better since the walk-ins would be most definite clients - not like leads that you still have to work to convert and then pay the referral fee on.
February 8th, 2006
Mark
I personally tried HG last year, namely the Buyerlink service, and found it to be TERRIBLE. HG charges per click (of course) ... only problem was that their click volume was far greater than my server logs showed .... ie. they billed me for more hits than I actually received. I did not get any business at all even though, according to HG, I had gotten over 300 visitors (or, should I say, "visitors") .... My advice is a) generate your own leads and b) if you want to survive as a real estate agent, you are going to have to evolve and beat the likes of www.homegain.com at their own game. I am launching a new site this year that will offer sellers low commission when they sell their homes (such a low commission that homegain.com will never be able to match it), and buyers a $xxxx rebate if they buy their home using my services. I suggest every other real estate agent out there who isn't just "in it" for the money to accept the fact that the days of bilking sellers for 6% are OVER. Sorry, all you fat cat brokers. The gravy train has screeched to a halt.
March 3rd, 2006
Jason Stewart
It may be fun to educate the public about the aforementioned product. What do you think the average seller will tell his friends and family when he learns that the 30% HG is taking is 30% he could have saved on the listing commission? People who "shop" REALTORS with the HG service are flushing thousands down the drain by using the internet instead of making a few calls.
March 3rd, 2006
Post Author: Max Chirkov - Phoenix, AZ
Photo of Max Chirkov.
There was a very interesting discussion at www.RainCityGuide.com - very relevant to this subject. I juggest to check it out and read the comments too.
April 13th, 2006
HG Loyal
It's unfortunate that the folks who speak badly of services like these don't fully comprehend the value that services like Homegain's provide. And instead of understanding, or at least trying to *fully* understand, they vent this negativity. I've been a member of Homegain for two years and I get it! I used to bid for key words, but it took up a lot of my time dealing with bidding for key words. I'd much rather be out closing deals or enjoying my time off. The key to being successful with Homegain's programs, or other similar programs, is having a great lead capture page on your website! If you don't have a great lead capture page, then online consumers will just go in and then out of your website. And if that's happening, what are you getting out of it? Probably nothing since you don't know who these consumers are. And because of that, how can you follow up? Follow up is key no matter what business you're in. So, to those of you who *don't get it*....good! That's more business for me!
April 13th, 2006
Post Author: Max Chirkov - Phoenix, AZ
Photo of Max Chirkov.
Thanks for your comment HG Loyal. I'm just curious, how come your IP address is coming from HomeGain.com network? There is nothing wrong about being loyal to yourself or your employer, but isn't it a little bit too much of loyalty to deceive people in favor to your company?

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