Redfin today took the wraps off the blog alluded to in its recent craigslist postings (see Redfin Recreating Curbed for the Northwest). Calling it Sweet Digs on Steroids, Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman announced it on their corporate blog.
Now Redfin is invading Seattle neighborhoods with a small army of real estate bloggers. Our goal: every day, eyewitness reviews of listings from all over town.
The new blog will take up residence on Redfin Seattle blog and is led by Seattle Editor Marie Hagman, plus a number of others. Her take on the new venture?
Sweet Dig bloggers visit homes in their area and get the straight story behind listing remarks espousing “a charming kitchen” or “great potential” and let’s not forget that classic “lovingly maintained” house that hasn’t been updated since 1967.
I think this is a smart idea by Redfin, tapping into the “wisdom of the crowds” and providing the online buyer with more info than what can be found in a real estate agent’s listing description.
(Hey, I wonder if they take requests? Can I ask them to go and check out a place for me?)
But, I suspect this may not be too popular with some Seattle agents, who might object to an “army of bloggers” swarming their listings. And I’m sure some homeowners won’t be too happy with these new ‘Finners pointing out their property’s weak points.
(Hmmm… It might not have been such a good idea to post their photos on the site, a Mystery Gourmet-type approach might have been wiser, at least initially).
In any case, kudos must go to Redfin for stirring up the pot once again.
