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ARMLS has been talking about Listingbook for the last month or so (product flyers and launch information pdf). Have you heard of it? The product flyers were included in the last issue of WAVE, and last Friday all subscribers received an email that shared the launch information (scheduled January 19-22) along with the website you need to visit if you would like to sign-up for Listingbook.
For those that haven’t heard of it yet, Listingbook is a client portal system that you add your contacts to… kind of like the flexmls portals. This of course prompts the most popular question I’ve been hearing, “How is Listingbook different from the flexmls portals?”
My goal for this article started with outlining the similarities and differences of both systems, but to be honest there are way too many variables to mention. Yes, both systems are $FREE.99, and yes both systems allow you to buy enhancements. I’m going to highlight some of the big differences (to me) along with some personal commentary. My recommendation at the end it to test drive both systems to see which one feels right for your clientele. Cool? Here goes…
Right off the bat, flexmls wins for overall look and feel, hands down. Not only does Listingbook have an out-dated look they have banner ads trying to draw my attention away from the meat and potatoes. It also took me a minute in Listingbook to realize some of the main menu items weren’t also ads. They kind of have that sponsored link look. Insert the huge HOWEVER, I was told Listingbook plans on rolling out a redesign in 6 months. This could be a moot point by then, however… Look & Feel – Point Flexmls.
Listingbook allows your clients to build their own searches. If you are using the flexmls portals, (without the pay-for IDX solution as well) your clients cannot build or edit searches. They can only browse listings that show up based on searches you’ve built for them. Some like this, some hate it. If your clients are always changing their minds, it might be easier to use a system that empowers them to alter the criteria. In my opinion, those that hate it have data control issues. To me, the value of an agent is more in the analysis of the data than simply providing it. Value is in negotiating contracts, keeping clients legal, managing time-frames, showing properties, etc. With that being said, it’s a no brainer I like Listingbook on this one. Empowering Clients – Point Listingbook.
Along the same lines, I have to mention pending and sold data. Listingbook allows your clients to search/access pendings and solds for searches that they create along with searches that you share with them. In flexmls, even if you are using the pay for IDX, I don’t think clients can search pendings and solds. (Can anyone verify that?) The only pendings and solds flexmls portal users are going to see are the ones that show up in searches the agent has shared. Another HOWEVER, I’ve been told flexmls will have some great info regarding solds available in the system soon, but for now… 2nd Empowering Clients point – Listingbook.
I’m a fan of the NAR’s Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. In 2007 and 2008, the report shows photos are the most useful web feature for online browsing home buyers. Have you seen the photo display in flexmls? It might be the simplest, largest photo display available. The NAR’s Profile also ranks Interactive Maps high on the list. Have you seen the Maps in flexmls? Hard to beat. 2nd Look and Feel point – Flexmls.
Regardless which system you use, the more clients using it the better. Listingbook has a big button at the bottom of the main menu that says “Refer a Friend to Listingbook”. This is a super-subtle way to say “Refer Agent”. When the client refers Listingbook to their friend, their friend is prompted to create an account tied to you. It’s not a general account, it’s your portal product that’s being referred. Now without you having to do any set-up your database can grow. Ability To Grow On It’s Own – Point Listingbook.
Tax Records – Point Flexmls.
Reverse Prospecting – Point Listingbook. (even though it costs $25/listing)
I kind of feel like I’m comparing Ford with Chevy. I can continue to talk specs, but until you test drive the car you’re not going to know which one is right for you. If we tally up the points; Flexmls 3 Listingbook 4. Today Listingbook wins! But don’t believe for a second either system is done improving. The funny thing about comparing Ford with Chevy, I don’t need to see any specs to know my next truck will be a Ford.
Great post, Phil!
Regarding “ability to grow on its own”, we’ve always considered the share function in flexmls portals as having that same agent promotion vibe. When a customer shares listings from their account with their friends or family on Facebook, Twitter, etc., the friends and family are linked back to the agent’s portal with their branding.
The biggest difference I see between ListingBook’s service and ours is the business model. ListingBook charges for searching by running ads. We’ve always thought ads not controlled by the broker are problematic because of potential conflict with the broker’s own related services. And, as you mention, by design, ads are distracting to the user experience.
Instead of ads, we provide searching in the portals through IDX. If the agent or office has flexmls IDX, new accounts are automatically set up with flexmls portals and all the activity is logged in the contact management system inside flexmls.
In this regard, the flexmls approach goes a bit further in serving consumers because the agent can allow them to search while remaining anonymous whereas that’s not possible with ListingBook. What we’re trying to do with flexmls Web is provide a single system that serves agents and consumers at all stages of the process. The flexmls portals are the connection point between the agent and the consumer, with IDX serving as the entry point. My favorite way of expressing this is that we help agents transition anonymous consumers into identified customers.
One of the other advantages of the flexmls portals is that they provide a lot of great summary data back to the listing agent on the Listing Activity Reports in the MLS system. These reports summarize for the agent and seller how many times the listing has been viewed, favorited, shared, etc. The Listing Activity Reports also have an Amazon-like section where we show “people who liked this listing also liked . . .” and “people who viewed this listing also viewed . . .” This info helps the listing agent keep the seller up to date on activity on their listing from the private MLS system, email links, shared links, portals and flexmls IDX, and it helps them understand what listings are competing with theirs and how they are priced.
In the next month or so, we’ll also be releasing some really cool new features with customizable dashboards, market stats, and mapping that we think will help agents get even more business from the flexmls portals.
Thanks for this post! I’ve read all their market material and still had no idea what Listbook did. Their marketing stuff is total mush, no specifics.
(I wonder if ARMLS is going to allow other IDX vendors to show Solds? I wish Diverse Solutions had Solds.)
Personally, I’m not going to use any IDX or portal that has ads on it. Most prospects can barely figure out what “Click Here” means so adding any distractions or complexity to anything online will lower its effectiveness.
Regarding IDX solutions in general, Diverse Solutions and flexMLS both have good front ends (what prospects see) but their backends (what Realtors see) are both so convoluted and complex as to be nearly unuseable.
Lots of potential for improvements there.
John,
You’re welcome, but one big clarification is needed. Listingbook is not an IDX vendor. There is no listing information displayed publicly. Every consumer must have an account through an agent. Which brings up another point, it’s possible to get leads from listingbook because consumers that are familiar with it go to their website and browse for agents that have accounts that meet their criteria, ie language speak, designations, real estate specialty.
So as far as IDX having sold data, I don’t think that is available.
John and Phil, last November, the NAR BOD approved the NAR MLS Committee’s recommendations to modify the model IDX rules to allow sold listings as part of IDX. This recommendation was adopted because many MLSs already allow sold listings as part of their IDX program, and so it will be interesting to see how ARMLS handles this in the near future. Including sold listings in IDX would certainly make things easier than dealing with VOWs. Speaking of which, is ListingBook a VOW?
Dude, I’m not even going to touch that loaded question.
Michael, my take is that Solds are all over Zillow, Trulia, etc. so why not on MLS IDXs? Less reason to go to Zillow, if your friendly neighborhood real estate agent has better Sold information on his local web site.
Phil,
Thank you for putting this comparison together. You answered the questions I’ve been asking to myself! I already have the Flex-IDX solution, as well as Diverse. I find that clients have a definite preference for one or the other. I took down the Flex screen and got a call almost immediately from a client saying he preferred that look and feel.
Michael, You input is really helpful, too. I need to check on the possibility of Sold data. Would love to have that capability to share with my clients, too.
Michael: “Speaking of which, is ListingBook a VOW?”
Phil: “Dude, I’m not even going to touch that loaded question.”
Phil: Changed his mind…
At NAR when I was speaking with the reps at the Listingbook booth, they told me they were not a VOW – before I asked the question.
I need to go read the article on VOW’s in the last wave, this is an area I know little about.
John is right. Include the solds and lets give people less reason to visit Zillow.
I do wish that Flex let my clients create their own searches. I will most likely stick with Flex. I LOVE the tax data and maps on flex. I love being able to draw my search criteria. I still find the CMA’s a bit cumbersome. The biggest +plus of flex I find is the COMPLETE accurateness of the listing status. I find being able to differentiate between Active and AWC invaluable. My buyers get frustrated when they do their own searches through my VOW site or other portals (Realtor.com, Zillow, etc) and see properties showing as active, and want to see them. When I pull them up, they are AWC and the listing agent has 3 backups on it. Flex is the only portal that I know of that gives you that differentiation if I am not mistaken.
Hello Phil-
thank you for the concisely written information and side by side comparison, saves me a lot of time. You have made my decision to stick with using Flex Portals and Diverse Solutions IDX. My customers have enough in front of them, no need to give them unsolicited ads in addition.
I must admit that while I use Flex portals I need to check out Flex IDX…oh well, only so much you can do in one day!
Again, thank for researching this!
Happy New Year!
Jon
Hi Phil–
I am using both FlexMLS IDX and the Listing book agent plus products. I like them both a lot!
The things I like about listing book are client/customer access to the pendings & solds. My clients tell me they love using the maps in listing book because there is direct access to street view (google) and it helps them immensely when selecting their favorites. The other thing I prefer about listing book is the notes. It’s a great way to communicate back and forth between agent and client. It keeps all the notes in one place.
Those things said I prefer not having ads and I think the user interface is unpleasant looking. I would also prefer having everything in one site like FlexMLS.
Is it a VOW??? A question I ponder.
Kerry,
I’m glad a user of listingbook spoke up! I think there are some great features in it and I recommend agents try it before deciding it’s not for them.
Kerry and Michael,
As far as whether it’s a VOW or not, I decided to do some diggin’…
I went to the Dec/Jan 2010 issue of ARMLS’ newsletter WAVE. The VOW article on page 27 says, “When a Website displays more data fields than are allowed under IDX, it is considered a VOW.” So are Sold and Pendings allowed under IDX?
The ARMLS IDX Policy Statement (from May ’06) says, “The IDX Program permits MLS Participants … to display each other’s ACTIVE LISTINGS on certain public Internet websites.”
Since it says nothing about Pendings or Solds, I think that means Listingbook is a VOW. Assuming the article in WAVE and the 2006 IDX statement are accurate.
All,
Thank you so much for your insightful comments and attention to the Listingbook vs Flex MLS conversation. First, the MLS system provided by Flex is wonderful and provides many valuable features and services that agents need to use so that they may best manage their businesses.
As Phil mentioned, both systems have far too many features to consider this forum an appropriate place for their vetting. However, one specific feature of Listingbook that has gone unmentioned that is not just appropriate for this thread, but essential to enhancing it – is the patented Listingbook Client Manager. The Listingbook value proposition is simple – help agents be more productive, make more money, and create happier clients that become customers for life. And, it is the Listingbook Client Manager that best enables the fulfillment of that value proposition. In summation – the Listingbook Client Manager KEEPS agents in the center of the real estate transaction by monitoring and providing inisight into their clients online search activity. This feature is not one that can be experienced until after an agents begin using the Listingbook system with their clients. Combined with the collaboration and messaging system within Listingbook, the patented Client Manager creates a magical client / agent relationship. Of course, as COO of Listingbook – I’m biased – so full disclosure there. So…it’s free… experience it for yourself, and happy selling!! Oh, be sure to check out this out this video that really explains Listingbook: http://staging0.listingbook.com/welcomevideo.html
Boy do I feel foolish. At our office meeting today in front of 40 agents, I praised the benefits of ListingBook. And we used my ListingBook webpage as an example. But then other agents pointed out that it was a 30-day trial. So it got me concerned. After all, this is not what I heard at the 2-hour training session I attended. They showed us how to set up our personalized ListingBook webpage as if it was standard & free.
After the meeting, I called ListingBook, and they confirmed that what I have set up is only free for 30 days. The Emperor’s New Clothes is what I’m calling it. A huge tease: get all of us excited to create & customize a webpage, only to take it all away unless we pay up.
I helped a team member sign up yesterday and I was going to get another team member signed up today, but now I’m rethinking my strategy.
Phil, I’d deduct one point from ListingBook for overpromising & under delivering.
I hope ListingBook revises their policy to allow webpages to include agent photo, company logo, showcased listings, and “search like an agent” for FREE.
Ford? Chevy? Can’t I have a little German engineering here? Love the idea of the listing book but it does drive like a “truck” as they say. Looking forward to the improvements!
We pay plenty of money to ARMLS, and sevrar we should have the cadillac and it should be free. Every time I turn around someone has their hand out trying to get money from a realtor. I called listing book today and asked the customer service rep the difference between mls and Listing book. She told me she didn’t know.
Just called listing book to ask some questions. No answer, they said to leave a message.
too bad there’s flexmls has a monopoly. Not choice, you have to use them. They can sit back not innovate, partner up with a vendor like listing book that has tried to come up with a niche. A Niche that FLEXmls could have easily done themselves.So instead of Flex trying to compete they can partner charge another fee and subject the local realtors to yet another vendor like listing book that wants to sell something (which may be a good idea) for a fee. Flex has a monopoly, we gotta pay them, (we have no choice) they get to collect fees not reinvent themselves and just let other vendors come in with idea they could add and charge fees. I don’t get it.
cd,
I’m trying to understand your comments. Are you under the impression FBS and listingbook work together? From what I know that couldn’t be further from the truth.
I don’t understand the monopoly that you say flexmls has, there are lots of MLS software providers available. I know when the REALTOR volunteers at ARMLS decided to contract with FBS for flexmls it was after they shopped several options. They didn’t have to use them as you say in your comment.
I’m new and every time I turn the corner there is another fee. When I joined my broker I was given a folder and it had SEVRAR, ARMLS, and Supra key in it. I was told to go to these places and pay money to join. That basically if I didn’t there’s really no way to be an agent. That’s where the information is etc. I paid the fees and use the system. I feel like ARMLS is a company I own stock in and as a stock holder I care who they supply data information to. I know I have no control but I do care. I’m not saying I’m right that’s just how I feel since I pay a membership fee etc. Starting with that logic, when I see a company like Listingbook come along take the data and provide additional services, ones I feel ARMLS should have, it is disappointing. I don’t think Listing book could compete in AZ without the ARMLS data. So ListingBook gets the data adds some twists and turns (ones Flex should have) and if I want the twist and turn flex doesn’t have I have to pay more money to listingbook. If flexmls didn’t give them the data I don’t think they could compete in AZ. It’s like ARMLS just raised my fees. ARMLS basically keeps membership fees the same, partners with someone else and is probably getting some sort of fee from Listing book. I would prefer ARMLS keep the data, out innovate Listing book and keep my fees low instead of raising them indirectly through Listing book. If there is one thing we don’t need more of it’s fees. I’m not aware of anyone in AZ that’s a Realtor now without ARMLS. But I’m new so I may have my wires crossed.
PHIL, forgive me I’m an idiot. Being new I didn’t know ARMLS and Flex were not the same company. Disregard my entire message.
So far I have been giving my clients access to both the portal and listing book. I find they are using the listingbook more. They like being able to ‘tweek’ their own criteria and not have to rely on me to adjust their searches.
Two things I don’t like about listingbook is 1)Unsatisfactory Customer service. The three interactions I have had with their customer service have been dismal failures – really quite pathetic. Calling and emailing listingbook only to get canned email responses more than 24 hours after inquiry.
2) When doing manual searches there is no differentiation between Active and AWC.
[...] Value. Assessing the exchange of value in these types of deals is tricky. We all know there’s no free lunch. The software isn’t really “free” or gratis but rather free as in beer. So, what then, is the cost or value of these free software propositions? In RPR’s case, Rob Hahn, MRIS’s new marketing director, says the cost is too much. In ListingBook’s case, the “cost” of the advertising depends on the image you want to project. Some think advertising on their site is not cool and others are okay with it. (Here’s an interesting discussion at the John Hall blog comparing ListingBook to FBS’s fl…) [...]
Not sure I understand why everyone seems so sensitive about advertising and why the big debate. Flex has a goldmine of data and frankly a huge market share because the product is simply superior to all others.
Charging the agents for the service is a great model. However, charging the agents and making money through advertising is a homerun. Hello, Flex has some of the most relevant data in any industry. A consumer buying a home! What business would not pay huge money for that information or to advertise to those clients. Mr. Wurzer, I am not an agent but if you want some ideas on mining that gold I can think of about 100 in less than 10 minutes. Feel free to contact me at any time! I am sure we can figure out a classy way to drip buyers with some very good value that would not be over the top and at the same time provide huge value to the agents! While driving a whole bunch of revenue through your door so you can provide some major enhancements to your already incredible product.
[...] ARMLS announces relationship with Listingbook. [...]