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It Is Time to Evolve or Die

July 27, 2011
by Larry Sage
5 Comments

Times are a changing in Toronto Real Estate industry. You don’t have to look any further than a very interesting article that the Toronto Star just published New real estate companies challenge old guard. In the article they highlight three sites that have the potential to shake things up:

  • Sundaybell.com
  • Forfuturesale.com
  • Iwantthathome.ca

Taking the time to review these sites is really quite a sobering exercise.

At Sage we keep an eye on what is happening to the international real estate marketplace, concentrating particularly on both our own and the American markets.  We have watched as these sorts of sites have popped up over the years. One of my favourite examples is www.homingcloud.com. Their tagline alone should send a shiver down your spine: Happier, Not Broker. Now we are seeing these entrepreneurial ventures launching in our own backyards.  With the Competition Bureau digging their heels in there is no doubt that sundaybell.com and iwantthathome.ca are just the beginning of this new breed of consumer responsive websites in Canada.

We recommend turning your attention to how you are approaching your own business. What are you doing differently today as compared to 5 years ago or even as compared to last year?  I know, regrettably, that many would say: ‘not much’.

Fundamental change is occurring in our industry and we can either choose to put our heads in the sand (like the music industry did and ignore it) or start to position ourselves to take advantage of this change.

Our industry change can be attributed primarily to the demands of consumers.   How can we agents survive?

Treat change as an expectation.

Complacency will be the architecture of many an agent downfall.

It is time to evolve or die.

5 Comments
  1. Dave Chomitz July 28, 2011 at 12:41 pm Reply
    Thanks for a great forward thinking post. A big part of survival is being prepared. There will always be opportunities .. just different ones. Cheers Dave
    • Larry Sage July 29, 2011 at 2:12 pm Reply
      I totally agree that for us to survive we need to prepare by plotting the course now. Determining a win-win proposition between consumer demands and agent responses cannot be unattainable.
  2. michael krisa July 28, 2011 at 9:32 pm Reply
    It's a fundamental law of nature that we are either in a state of growth or decay. In business we have the advantage of making a choice. One can adapt and flourish or or refuse to adapt and in so doing, subsequently turn to dust. Frankly ... I believe that an old dog can always learn new tricks! All Good Wishes, michael krisa ThatInterviewGuy.com
    • Larry Sage July 29, 2011 at 2:12 pm Reply
      Michael, it is refreshing for this 60 year old guy to witness that it is some of the ‘old dogs’ who are more willing to adapt to change than some of the young’uns!
  3. M. Calista September 25, 2011 at 4:30 am Reply
    Sundaybell is the most intriguing in that bunch you listed. It looks sleek and fun, and probably the most user friendly for our clients. Has anyone here tried it? Any luck? I noticed that its free to sign up so i may just give it a go. I'll let you know how it goes lary! keep up the great work!

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