Madison Wisconsin Real Estate News

Hi Jolenta,

I also force registration on my website for a couple of reasons. First off, I am in a business that requires me to generate leads in order to succeed. Whether that lead comes from my website or from a sign call, I use those tools, have paid a lot of money for them, and have to maintain them with my time. Because of those factors I need to know if what I am spending my money on is a good investment for my business. By requiring registration I have direct access to much needed feedback of my visitors. If they don't like something, I can get crucial information as to why, and use that feedback to be better for the next person and keep my business afloat.

Secondly, it's nice to meet people that are using my website, and sometimes they need that extra help when you call or email them. Most of the people who give me valid contact information on my website are happy when I call them right away to help them, and they like the emails they get about market conditions. Sorry for the book, but I think the forced registration is something we do to better understand our clients. :)

Jolenta, I'm also a firm believer in forced registration. My feeling is that the detailed listing information is something of value. I'm just starting to test a new registration page that validates the phone number before allowing visitors to register. You might want to check it out on my Sacramento site. If you want more information on it let me know, this wasn't something REW did for me. ;)

There are always going to be people who are put off by giving personal information but I feel then I haven't given them enough reason to want to register. It's definitely something I've been working on. On my Davis website I have had a comments field on the registration page, I've gotten comments like I will never use you as an agent because you asked me to give you my information - well aren't they going to give their information eventually to someone? Not everyone who visits our sites are going to be good fits as potential clients nor are they always going to be home buyers. I try not to worry about it and focus on the people who give good, valid information.

Jolenta -- It'd be interesting to see what a home buyer outside of the browser that was written about in your article has to say about it. That aside, I echo much of what Carolyn and Lisa have already said. Real estate is a business just like any other and the cost to provide these solutions for consumers is not free to us. I think it's reasonable to expect that a potential home buyer who finds value in using your website and, more specifically, your search solution, be required to register so that you can continue that interaction with them offline and help them buy a house. If buyers don't want to register then that's fine, use Realtor.com or Trulia.com or the multitude of other sites out there that don't require registration. Until there is a better way for commission only salespeople (real estate agents) to engage prospective clients we will have no choice but to use the tried and true method of required registration to view home listings.

Hi Jolenta - I'm a REALTOR up in the frozen north *Canada* and it's been my experience that regardless of how professional you are, you can't be all things to all people. That's to say that there will always be visitors to your website who aren't happy with how you conduct your business *and require registration to view listing DETAILS*. Here in Calgary we have no choice - if we want to provide website visitors access to FULL DETAILS (this would include significant information on properties not included on most websites) we are REQUIRED to ask for registration AND also use an email verification process whereby registrants aren't allowed full access without a verifiable code response *this filters out all invalid email address submissions*. It works well - I find that most people who complain about registrations aren't likely to commit to using you when it comes time to put the rubber to the road. By the way - great looking website!

I think everything you said in your post, and the things said in the comments make sense. But what it really comes down to is what's better for business, right? If you are able to run a better business and provide better service by requiring that people register, then the requirement makes sense. But if you are losing a lot of potential clients by requiring registration then it starts to make less sense. I don't know the answer to this question, unfortunately. We have no idea how many people *might* have browsed your site and contacted you and been really good, legitimate clients had it not been for the registration requirement. You could argue that the willingness to take the time to register is an indication that a client is good/serious, but maybe not? I know that I personally hate registering for websites. Have you considered removing the requirement for a trial period, just to see how your business is affected? But yeah I mean, the bottom line is that it is your business and you have to be happy with it, so if requiring registration is what you want to do, well, that's reason enough.

As someone had pointed out above, we are in the business to find buyers that need help finding properties. If we don't have any buyers, we don't stay in business- it's that simple. I think that there are a select few that have something against forced registrations (as buyers), but I feel the majority know and understand that you're not in the business of reselling anyone's information- you're just trying to find someone that would like to buy a home. I wish we could hear from a buyer's perspective!

OK, time for a home seller and buyer to comment on this one :) Jolenta provides a service that is above and beyond what others in this area provide. She is extremely professional and not an "ambulance chaser" (for lack of a better phrase) agent. She works very hard providing the tools both sellers and buyers need. She works long hours to provide that incredible service and prides herself in this--as she should. Her expertise surpasses every other agent out there.
As a seller it helps me to see her market statistics and see what other homes like ours are selling for and see what current marker trends are. As a buyer--well I just cannot say enough about how easy Jolenta's site is to navigate and it has a wealth of information that again, surpasses everyone else. She has so many search features that you can drill down to EXACTLY what you are looking for.
Should you register for these services-ABSOLUTELY. If you are looking. . .there is a reason. If you are not ready to purchase or sell when you sign in--you can tell Jolenta that. She is not going to hound you. If you are just trying to get a feel for the market because somewhere down the line you are going to sell or buy-well she can tell you what you need to do. When you are ready you can call her back and be WAY ahead of the game.
Again, as a seller, OK you can laugh at me now Jolenta. Holy cow--the woman is a task master. "Get rid of that hideous wallpaper!" (after doing it I now know why no one would buy a house with wallpaper). "Take out half the stuff in here--it's too cluttered." I have to say--I like less clutter and I think I will probably dump half the stuff I put in the POD when I buy my new house. Her no nonsense expertise transformed our house. Her business skills brought the right buyers.
Register--it is worth every letter and number you put down. I mean it--and don't put in a phony email address or phone number. It is just rude to do this. The technology Jolenta provides you is not free--to her. You on the other hand simply need to provide a name, email and phone number and get free access to information you will not find elsewhere.
Like I said, if you are a dabbler right now--simply tell her that.
And--don't forget to read the blog postings and look at all the information she provides within her site. You would be a fool not to register. Sure you can go to Trulia or Zillow and get virtually no information and oh, it’s also so outdated that it’s not even accurate anymore. But hey, if you want to eat Twinkies instead of having a 7 course meal provided by the best chef in town (that chef being Jolenta Averill) bon appétit! Did I mention it does not cost you one dime to enjoy the feast she prepares for you? Personally, I’ll tap in a few letters and numbers and forgo the Twinkies!

There you go, Mike - a bonified buyer perspective for ya. Thanks heaps, Karen! Great to hear you're happy with the site and the service!!