Point 2 Technologies (providers of Point 2 Agent web sites) announced today the launch of the Point 2 NLS (National Listing Service).
It’s no secret I’m a big Point 2 Agent fan. This company is often on the bleeding edge of technology. Their web sites, blogging platform, prospecting/CRM tools and “Handshake Listings” are second to none, in my humble opinion.
The “NLS” is a service that allows real estate agents to display their properties across the Point 2 network (now over 104,000 strong). Yep, here you have it folks, another tool in the Internet advertising arsenal. Now you don’t need a Point 2 web site to utilize Point2’s most excellent listing display venues.
For the NLS rollout, Point 2 revamped their listings displays. It’s always been excellent, the new look is even better (Here’s an example). In typical P2 style, they also released other upgrades and features for their web sites.
The real estate press is beginning to pick up on this latest “listings” site…
There’s a nice review in Inman today (currently free, it’ll slip over to the pay side soon) that quotes some powerful industry voices such as the COO of Point 2, Brendan King; Saul Klien, e-Pro creator and President of Internet Crusade; and some Phoenix based real estate agent… UPDATE: You can access the full Inman article on Point 2’s site here.
Here’s the Point 2 press release.
A blog from one of the techsters at Point 2.
And Brendan King’s blog on “National MLS Part Deux“, though not directly related to the NLS rollout, is a great read.
And (ahem) just for the sake of those who won’t get to view the Inman article while it’s free, here’s the best part — and it has nothing to do with the source of the quotes :):
Jay Thompson, a real estate agent in Mesa, Ariz., and a Point2 user since August 2005, said he has separate sections on his own Web site for posting shared property information derived from local MLS members and a separate section for posting properties from the Point2 network.
“My MLS lets me put (up to) six pictures in a listing. Point2 lets you put 36 — I get a lot more views on my Point2 listings,” he said. “I put a lot more pictures, so people tend to naturally gravitate toward the listings that have more information.”
Thompson, who works for Century 21 Aware, likens the Point2 capabilities to that of Google Base, Trulia or Zillow — “It’s just another Web venue for me to advertise listings on. It’s not going to replace the MLS; that’s not its intent.” He said he has established agreements through the Point2 network with about 1,100 real estate professionals in the area where he works, and he explains this to prospective clients during listing presentations.
Some industry participants may not embrace the concept of the Point2 NLS at first, Thompson said. But after they realize “that it’s not an attempt to take over their world then they should be OK with it,” he added.
Check it out, it should be interesting…
Full Disclosure: I am an authorized Point 2 Agent distributor. I get a small pittance if people upgrade their P2 sites through me. Click here if you’re interested in setting up a free Point 2 site.
Technorati Tags: Point 2 Agent, Point2, Point 2 NLS, National Listing Service
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Jerry Campbell 01.04.07 at 8:11 pm
Jay your a genius,
I could’t agree with you anymore. It’s absolutely incredible what Point 2 has done for the 104,000 members that utilize their services. It seems like they roll out a new item every week for our Point 2 sites. I can’t think of one company that even comes close to what Point 2 offers real estate agents for web sites and applications for our industry.
I’m very excited about the new capabilities we now have with the expanded version of our handshake agreements with the roll out of NLS. Brokers and agents alike will love this feature of Point 2. It’s going to be such a powerful tool for buyers and sellers of real estate, I think Point 2 is the pioneer of the future here. It just allows us agents and the brokers to have one more tool to assist our clients in an ever changing environment of the internet and housing market. The better we can serve the public and deliver information so that buyers and sellers can be more informed and make good decisions…thats got to be a good thing.
Stan 01.04.07 at 8:34 pm
Thanks Jay,
Great info as usual from you. You are truly an asset to us in the real estate community as I know you are to your clients.
Charleston Real Estate Blog 01.05.07 at 12:48 pm
And a big thank you to you Jay who is such an important part of the Point 2 community.
Jay - The Phoenix Real Estate Guy 01.05.07 at 1:44 pm
Well thanks for all the thanks guys!
I just like to help. Making other Point 2 sites stronger helps us all.
If you haven’t seen it yet, I just started up a “Point 2 Help” blog. You can find it here. There will be more to come very soon.
Vince Talerico 01.06.07 at 12:43 pm
Jay,
I logged into my point 2 website and found the newly added NLS to be extremely beneficial. I had some knowledge about this feature through some other existing point 2 members that have been chit chatting on realestatewebmasters. This is getting added to my website ASAP. Although the point 2 homes site is not my favorite (because of the template and all), I have to agree they are keeping up with the times and providing excellent tools for realtors to integrate. Enjoyed reading the post Jay!
Sincerely,
Vincent Talerico