Want to know your thoughts on VOWs (virtual office websites)

In theory good for agents or brokers to have all listings on their website. But the majority of consumers will not want to have to register to view properties when they can view all brokers listings on Streeteasy or NYT, where they can also see FSBOs which Vows won't have. The IDX systems available outside NYC are far superior because consumers do not have to register. However expect landrush of VOWs in Manhattan now that some brokers have already launched. Everyone is going to have to keep up with each other. But consumers will be searching elsewhere.

Yes, I hate having to register. And when I do register, I use fake e-mail addresses becuase I don't want SPAM every morning.

I work for a smaller firm that has had IDX capability for a couple of years, and I don't see that much value in it. Sellers who hire us to push their listings out know that we do so through REBNY, and buyers who hire us find us through referrals or places like here, and not through our web site.

I guess it's worth mentioning that IDXs outside New York City (I used to work in NJ) include fairly sophisticated computer tracking. We could tell what listings a customer had looked at, and how many times -- so when they called about, say, house B, we would know that they also had clicked on house D but had skipped over houses A and C.

ali r.
DG Neary Realty