patrick.net

TechGromit says

I can't believe your can't write a program to take the data and reformat it for your own site.

For example, Owners.com, have the computer search for homes by zip code, Have the program click on the first price listed (field is called "span.price"). copy the address information into address field for your program ...

Yes, I can pretty easily do that but I would definitely get sued for doing it!

For example:
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/29/when-craigslist-blocks-innovations-disruptions/

The problem is legal, not technical. Pretty much all the "Terms of Use" of real estate sites explicitly forbid copying data from them.

What can I do about that?

The problem is legal,

Yes, the problem is legal, but I had an idea a few years ago that I thought would work.

You already have the Open House forum, but do you recommend any homes to buy?

As an agent I can't say what is or isn't a good deal, but you could.

I choose to stick with the positive, and say what's good, it's easier than listing a bunch of negativity.

I go to Broker's Opens, and Sunday Opens. If there is a sign outside inviting you in, it's Open.

As long as you are making positive comments most agents don't mind.

So I pick what I think is a good deal, a property worth buying, and why. You already have the forum.

OK, but what is the business model then? Subscriptions to data about good deals?

TechGromit says

I can't believe your can't write a program to take the data and reformat it for your own site.

For example, Owners.com, have the computer search for homes by zip code, Have the program click on the first price listed (field is called "span.price"). copy the address information into address field for your program ...

Yes, I can pretty easily do that but I would definitely get sued for doing it!

For example:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/29/when-craigslist-blocks-innovations-disruptions/

The problem is legal, not technical. Pretty much all the "Terms of Use" of real estate sites explicitly forbid copying data from them.

What can I do about that?

There is a solution but it requires careful sleuthing, networking and planning. You put up the service as planned but the servers reside in another country that has hardly any copyright laws (don't use New Zealand), there are plenty of those. You also need a trusted partner in that country and an official business overseas I am sure the real estate gangstas would try and go after you but there is a point of diminishing returns for more and more effort and eventually they may give up. Since the data is not really private, mostly text and a couple of pictures or vids you could even go the distributed route where the content is spread out over various peers similar to bit torrent. After all, Chinese investors are apparently giddy to gobble up all that real estate here, so why not bring the data to them ;) But I am sure you are envisioning a more peaceful and practical life going forward..

sounds like capitalism should step in and create some jobs!

there is a solution to mls

create your own

i can do it.

'
sounds like they got lazy, corrupted or worse.

I CAN DO BETTER!

The information exists.

The Professor says

I usually "Like" Apacalypse's posts and then read them. I am occasionally appalled by his profanity but he usually has something wise to say.

Ditto.

Local color

what is the business model

By being a trusted resource you have more opportunity.

The way your site presents now it is just a bashing site for the Real Estate industry.

Internet speed is something I have never seen on any real estate listing. In this day and age, where video and voice have become essential and huge bandwidth hogs, how can they NOT list internet speed.

The lack of speed killed an offer I was about to make on a Santa Cruz mountain property. The realtor didn't know any of the providers or what the speed (up/down) was in the area based on provider. I spent hours of my own time and got Comcast to investigate. Turns out the area is owned by some random company and Comcast cannot do business there unless this company sells. Strange, but I should not have had to waste two days of my time going to the property. This information should be listed along with all the other utilities.

David Losh says

The way your site presents now it is just a bashing site for the Real Estate industry.

I agree. Constructive criticism is one thing but too many people here have major failure issues and are blaming it on the Realtors. It takes very little effort and money to have what they have (true MLS access). You're going to join 'em long before you beat 'em. To think otherwise is just a pipe dream.