Blog Archives

WSJ exposes privacy issues in real estate, need for Consumer Bill of Rights

Posted on February 25, 2019 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

The @WSJ reported today that popular phone apps like #HRMonitor, #Flo and #Realtor sent private data to @Facebook without users’ knowledge. No wonder advertisers are addicted to FB audience targeting tools, but what of #dataprivacy? Read the WSJ report: https://t.co/7YDv3YhT1w.…

Posted in Consumer protection, Defensive Homebuying, Dual Agency Detective, HousingID, IntentCasting, Personal data, Privacy, RE2020, Real Estate Consumer Bill of Rights, RECALL: Real Estate Consumer Alliance, Tech Trends, VRM

Homebuyers: Need offensive & defensive game plans or occasional coaching?

Posted on February 4, 2019 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

Thinking about buying a home in 2019? Yes, it’s pre-season — but got a game plan? Last night’s Super Bowl victory was also a lesson in the importance of systems or game plans. The offense and defense both have game plans,…

Posted in Buyer agent, commission rebate, Creative class, Defensive Homebuying, DIY Homebuyers, iCovery, IntentCasting, Proactive househunting, Savings & Rebates, Seasonality

“Consumer, Protect Thyself” with #CustomerTech, Enrich Thyself too

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

As our flurry of recent blog posts below attests, Real estate is the Sleeping Giant of the Consumer Movement! We tried sharing those links with the National Association of Real Estate Editors before their recent annual convention (#NAREE17) but thus…

Posted in Blockchain, Buyer agent, Consumer protection, Defensive Homebuying, Disrupt Real Estate, Dual Agency Detective, HousingID, IntentCasting, Investigative Reporting, RECALL: Real Estate Consumer Alliance, Savings & Rebates, VRM

Fooled again? Let’s use tech to reform real estate / BLIND biddings wars

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

After nearly two months on the road, this April Fool’s Day finds me playing the Who’s classic to psyche myself up: Won’t be fooled again! / http://bit.ly/FooledAgain1978 As aging baby boomers know, the lyrics are a mix of contradictions – “meet the new…

Posted in Bidding wars, Consumer protection, Defensive Homebuying, Disrupt Real Estate, IntentCasting, RE2020, Real Estate Consumer Bill of Rights, RECALL: Real Estate Consumer Alliance, reVRM, Unconference

Collaborating with housing & real estate labs to save BILLIONS annually!

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

This morning, NPR listeners in Boston were greeted with news of one of the largest gifts ever given to MIT — a $118 million gift to MIT’s Center for Real Estate (MITCRE) to “advance socially responsible and sustainable real…

Posted in Bidding wars, Commission Reform, Crowdfunding, Disrupt Real Estate, FSBO: For Sale By Owner, IntentCasting, RE2020, RECALL: Real Estate Consumer Alliance, reVRM, VRM

Pocket Listings: Smoking gun outs conflict of interest in real estate

Posted on September 25, 2014 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

The first round of Real Estate is Broken, a hard-hitting agent-to-agent critique of the residential industry last week in Boston, began with this one-two punch: “When I grew up in the industry, pocket listing was a bad word; now…

Posted in Bidding wars, Buyer agent, Consumer protection, Defensive Homebuying, Designated Agency, Dual Agency Detective, IntentCasting, Pocket Listings, RE2020, VRM, Whisper listings

Divorce real estate commissions, let homebuyers & sellers negotiate their own fees

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

Are the stars aligning? Last Thursday, participants of @REBarCampBoston talked openly about how “Real Estate is Broken” and the conversation continues, agent to agent, on Facebook. There a a list of 25+ industry flaws includes one that the Consumer Federation…

Posted in commission rebate, Commission Reform, Do-it-yourself, FSBO: Best Practices, IntentCasting, RE2020, Real Estate Consumer Bill of Rights, Real Estate Roundtables, RECALL: Real Estate Consumer Alliance, reVRM, Tipping Policy

DIY Homebuyers: Go PROACTIVE to identify “Intention Inventory,” avoid costs

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

Kudos to the Boston Globe for writing / blogging about a proactive house hunting strategy homebuyers used to create a win-win scenario with grateful if unintentional home sellers. Targeting homeowners who may sell in the future isn’t just “a new…

Posted in "We" companies, Bidding wars, DIY Homebuyers, Extreme Househunting, IntentCasting, Intention Inventory, Proactive househunting, reVRM

Double bind: Will soaring rent burdens shrink baby boomer nest eggs / inheritance?

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

Referencing the pain some homeowners suffered after the housing bubble, Boston.com’s real estate blog asked Do renters have it tougher? Baby boomers, before you begin family conversations over the Holidays about downsizing or transitioning aging parents, do the math: “More than half…

Posted in Defensive Homebuying, FSBO: For Sale By Owner, Housing bubble, Housing forecasts, IntentCasting, Market trends, Real Estate Bubble, RECALL: Real Estate Consumer Alliance, Trend analysis

Market Psychology: Thanksgiving vs TrustGiving in Real Estate

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Bill Wendel — No Comments ↓

Without a doubt, thousands of real estate consumers across MA and millions across the nation are also counting their blessings this Thanksgiving — some grateful that they won bidding wars courtesy of the Fed’s 33% bonus, and others glad they…

Posted in Bidding wars, Buyer agent, Consumer protection, Defensive Homebuying, Housing bubble, Housing forecasts, IntentCasting, Market trends, Real Estate Bubble, Trend analysis