Special offer
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573, Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker (MOOERS REALTY)

Spam prevention
Rainer
54,940
Jordan Ayan
The Lifestyle Collection - Scottsdale, AZ
Luxury Market Expert, CLHMS,Million Dollar Guild

Anyone, who requires registration to see listing is truly missing the point of how the Internet has changed this industry.  With Zillow, Trulia and others a consumer has unfettered access to information.  

I spent many years in technology and watched as that world transformed from one with deeply embedded proprietary software to open source software.  One by one players who did not see and react appropriately to the new open world disappeared from the scene.  

My favorite example of this kind of protective thinking, years ago we had a Pitney Bowes postage meter.  They owned that industry.  During a move, we lost the electrical cord to the meter.  This was only a cord, no transformer, not much different than a lamp cord.  However, Pitney had engineered a special proprietary connector to their machine, so to replace it, was about $200 - this is a cable that probably cost less than 25 cents.  The moment other alternatives were available to businesses they flocked away from Bowes.

The information world is wide open. Unless you have something very special, if you guard it, clients will just move on to the next information source where they don't have to pay.

Jan 22, 2018 05:12 AM
Rainmaker
259,317
Lesley Wilson-VanGoethem
Innovative Realty Solutions Group - Winter Springs, FL
Residential Real Estate Broker Associate

Weve tried the registering after 3 and they just stop using completely. There is just sooo much free no obligation info, it makes it hard to justify

Jan 22, 2018 05:12 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Over the years, we've tried so many different ways of allowing access to our information. At the end of the day, it works best when consumers can use idx without registering, but if they want to set up an account to save the listings that they like, then they will need to register.

Jan 22, 2018 04:31 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

By making visitors sign up, it weeds out the "non serious" buyers and you end up with a true lead.

Jan 22, 2018 06:21 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Yes, I make them sign up, but also give them the opportunity to opt out of updates or calls.

Jan 22, 2018 05:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

I will second Candice A. Donofrio answer!

My feeling is that is a customer service and will contact me for more information.

Jan 22, 2018 05:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,662
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

SAME AS Candice A. Donofrio 

Jan 22, 2018 04:46 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

They can look at as many homes as they wish, but if they want more data, after five they are asked to register.

Jan 22, 2018 03:41 AM
Rainmaker
711,852
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Registration gets leads which is important to the agents in the brokerage.

Jan 22, 2018 07:22 AM
Rainer
252,600
Macy Babb ... North Georgia Realtor
Re/Max Around Atlanta Realtor - 404-234-6166 - Cartersville, GA
Realtor, SFR, HUD/REO Certified

They can look at as many homes as they like, I do not like to register on websites util I'm "ready" so I don't make potential clients do it ... besides they can find it on another site and I prefer to keep them on mine

Jan 22, 2018 05:22 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Candice A. Donofrio nailed this one!

Jan 22, 2018 05:04 AM
Ambassador
3,169,508
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

My site is wide open.  Either they like what they see enough to work with me, or they don't.  I know I hate looking for information on the Net and getting forced registration, so I assume my potential clients think the same way.  Perhaps not forcing registration costs me some business opportunities, but I can live with that.  Bill

Jan 22, 2018 04:45 AM
Rainmaker
577,750
Gloria Valvasori, Accredited Senior Agent
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE SIGNATURE SERVICE - Mississauga, ON
REAL Experience | REAL Commitment | REAL Results!

I have mine set where they can review the information of 4 properties.  If they wish to view more than 4 they must register... 

Jan 22, 2018 04:41 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Mine is open. Either make them register up front or not at all is my opinion. They can always go to Zillow without registering.

Jan 22, 2018 04:08 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,502
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

new to me

Jan 22, 2018 03:45 AM
Ambassador
5,229,945
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I have both ways on 3 sites:

  • one does not require registration
  • one requires registration after 3 views
  • the third one requires it after 5 views.

BY FAR (year-after-year), I get more business from the one that requires 3 than the other two put together.

Jan 22, 2018 02:20 PM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

Thanks for the question Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573 ! I'm all ears!

Jan 22, 2018 10:22 AM
Ambassador
2,178,553
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I don't like being restricted and never did it.  I figured if I provided information and established myself as the local expert, they'd call me when they were ready. 

Jan 22, 2018 09:14 AM
Ambassador
6,393,179
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I prefer not to do this and when I come to a site that requires it I just move onto another site.

Jan 22, 2018 07:14 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I do not make anymne sign up to see my listings, i want as many people as possible to see them 

Jan 22, 2018 06:12 AM
Ambassador
2,161,048
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

No, I don't do it. They can get all the free information without registering at other sites. 

Jan 22, 2018 05:33 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

I have always ask they register, but do not hold back information if they do not.

Jan 22, 2018 04:41 AM
Rainmaker
556,536
Greg Cremia
Shore Realty of the Outer Banks - Nags Head, NC

I routinely experiment trying no forced sign up against forcing registration after looking at some listings. When I turn off the forced registration the leads dry up. When I turn on forced registration the leads come in.

It doesn't really matter what I or other agents like, it is about what works.

You need to experiment to see what works for you, all markets are different.

I make a decent living with this system.

1 out of 20ish is fake.

Jan 22, 2018 11:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Yes.  I believe it's actually required in California (in some or all of the state).  I can't recall if it was at the association level or further up the chain.  Something to do with scraping.

Jan 22, 2018 08:59 AM
Rainmaker
758,035
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

I have IDX on my website & it'll ask for their info at some point of them searching, I believe I made it super simple though- Name & Email. Bogus names, lol, yes sometimes. 

Jan 22, 2018 08:53 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Andy.... most of those buyers are tire kickers, if they don't want to call or sign in.... we're listing agents, and those who don't call us will fill out the CMA form with all the information about them and the house!!!  they're serious... those are who we deal with...

Jan 22, 2018 08:06 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

I do not like to be forced into registration when I am looking for something online so I do not require it.  I am seriously considering removing IDX from my site. Those who have signed up and registered were only tire kicking with me. 

Jan 22, 2018 07:52 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I have never required registration. I keep them on the email lists until they unsubscribe.

Jan 22, 2018 07:19 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Any interference like you described when I am surfing the net disqualifies

Jan 22, 2018 07:01 AM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

  No.  They will get it free elsewhere.

Jan 22, 2018 06:59 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

If I want more information and feel it will be of value, why not register? My website requires it after 3 searches and people sign up right and left.

Jan 22, 2018 01:33 PM
Rainmaker
547,327
Steven Nickens
Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers - Wailea, HI
R(S)GRI ABR, Maui Real Estate Hawaii

Great question, I am rethinking my approach now.

Jan 22, 2018 12:54 PM
Rainmaker
1,292,735
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Think about yourself as a consumer. Thereis so much information available, if I am asked to register I quit and go to another site. We find, you need to pull them in with content and then those who stay and connect are worth having. If you force the connection then they may very well give false information.

Jan 22, 2018 12:31 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Andrew,

We are not fans of this and have never been.  The information is SO available everywhere.  A

Jan 22, 2018 08:59 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

How obnoxious should a marketer be.

RIS Media is a classic example. When I see they are the destination of a link, I don't click.

I do NOT use obscuring methods that can not be resolved by clicking the 'X."  Such as a pop up chat window.

However, I Start with something of value, something from which the reader experience some level of success. They will want more.  No need to be obnoxious. After all, they know this is a business. And of course their is always the tried and true FREE offer that secures the login.

When it comes to home searches, they have many options. But it is worthwhile to make them aware the good stuff is not where they can see it. Deliver a few example followed by: 'Sign up here."

Be aware, OPT-IN is the magic sauce that makes online marketing work. It is as essential as 'Closing the sale.'  But agents need to delineate what they offer to have a perceivable difference than offered by the Evil Empire.

Jan 22, 2018 05:12 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

They can find it elsewhere if we do not provide.

Jan 22, 2018 04:44 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,488
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

When I first put up my new web site, it was open, they could look all they wanted.  Not one registered, or got any calls, but had 500+ on my site each week.   I changed back to look at 3, then register, and get 2-5 registering each week, and have now closed some of the web hits.

Jan 25, 2018 05:16 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573 - When information is available FREELY everywhere, how does this help?

Jan 22, 2018 09:39 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Always bogus info giving me

Jan 22, 2018 06:00 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

 Mickey Mouse and Donald Trump seem to be the most frequent signins I get at open houses 

Jan 22, 2018 02:31 PM