Takeaways:
- Agents focused on newly built homes have a way to be consistently listed when certain ZIP codes are searched.
- Buyers can find locally focused agents easier.
- Site looks to improve on Zillow agent listings.
With a focus on lead generation and pairing buyers of new homes and condos with top local agents in specific ZIP codes, NewHomesAgents.com launches a new online search tool.
According to NewHomesAgents.com, the site’s search tool is different from other home listing sites because it is more consistent with its Realtor contacts listed.
When a potential buyer searches listings for a specific ZIP code, a number of newly built or planned homes will pop up, along with contact info for a “premier agent” and up to five “featured agents.”
For one month, only these six agents’ contact info will pop up when that specific ZIP code is searched or the page is refreshed. A premium agent pays $100 a month to receive the fixed position on the site. The five featured agents pay $50 a month.
“We’re making a commitment to Realtors,” said Charles Yancy, SVP of NewHomesAgents.com, pointing out that when a ZIP code search is conducted on Zillow, three agents’ contact info will come up; however, if that search is refreshed, a different trio of agent contacts will appear.
“It’s unfair to the Realtors to pay this kind of money and have your ads disappear,” he added. “You have agents listed that have nothing to do with the listing.”
Clicking on a premier or featured agent’s image will direct a user to that agent’s NewHomesAgents.com profile, with a link to that agent’s personal site listed — allowing the agent to show listings to a potential buyer themselves.
“It’s all about lead generation,” said Tom Nguyen, founder of NewHomesAgents.com. “Once someone is interested in a home, it’s up to the agent to develop the relationship.”
Under the site’s model, agents who earn commissions from homebuilders for selling new product via NewHomesAgents.com will not have to share that money with the site.
The site’s database currently features more than 50,000 new-home listings, builder’s models and floor plans. These listings and models are spread throughout 35 states, and regional homebuilders are the primary provider of floor plans and homes.
Nguyen formerly served as the chief technology officer at NewHomes.com, which launched in 1999 and in 2006 was acquired by a Wall Street hedge fund. After this time, Barry Diller’s RealEstate.com/Lending Tree Group and Trulia both bought and sold the company, which is now owned by Zillow.
