Being on vacation right now, I won’t take the time to delve into too many details, but I was surprised to read that ListingBook has bought Cyberhomes. When RPR bought the technology behind Cyberhomes, I presumed the public site would go away eventually, but I was obviously wrong. Was anyone else surprised to hear that ListingBook will now own Cyberhomes? Now, if RPR could just strike up a deal with ListingBook . . .
I’m with Amy on her comments. Gathering and aggregating data from different MLSs is hard work as you know. There is value in having immediate access to hundreds of these for a good price. Also this gives Listingbook a public facing component and increased exposure for itself and it’s customers. I was wondering when would resurface in the news.
RPR states that cyberhomes.com is an LPS product and they have no relationship or knowledge of the acquisition nor any of its details.
While I agree that it is an interesting event, along with its other services Listingbook has been trying to build a website niche for its users as well as consumers . I don’t belive this is a part of the market LPS wants to be in. It makes total sense for LB to go out and acquire a brand name website. It creates a great market for LB. I may be wrong (once:) but I don’t beleive there is any secret deal with RPR.
I never meant to imply there was a secret deal. What I meant to imply was that the possible combination of RPR (private site focused on agents) with a VOW (Listing Book) and a public site (Cyberhomes) seems like a good idea. The fact that Cyberhomes and RPR run on the same core data and technology makes such an eventual combination at least practical if not probable. Of course, we all know NAR can’t run a public listing search other than Realtor.com, but, who knows, maybe this is one way to bring these things together on a national basis?
My use of the term “secret” was a poor choice of words…….
Perhaps the correct term/question should be…how do MLSs feel about being forced to work with ListingBook? At least until their agreement with then LPS (formally known as Fidelity) now ListingBook expires? Priceless!!
Cyberhome.com for me was the best and the most accurate site from all of the other sites exists. I used Cyberhome.com site daily to determine the price I should offer for those properties I was interested in. I am very sorry to see this site go anyway and twice as sorry to see it goes to a Co. that gives you so little information on the comparable houses nearby. Is there a similar site like cyberhome.com anywhere, that one can use?
I have never been a fan of listingbook. Sorry to see it is getting bigger.
7:11 pm
My assumption is that there are valuable data distribution/licensing/syndication agreements with MLS organizations that Listing Book will now own. This may assist them in new markets and also keeps Cyberhomes from selling it to a competitor. I guess my surprise is that it didn’t happen sooner but presumably they had to get through RPR first.