Last March, a controversial proposal to create an online Rate Your Realtor service was defeated at CREA’s Annual General Meeting. Now a new online portal is providing user-generated real estate agent reviews to Canadians.
Through RankMyAgent.com, users are given the opportunity to review their current or past agent. They can rank their Realtors on a diverse range of agent strengths including experience, professionalism, neighbourhood and property knowledge, negotiation skills, communication skills and contact expectations. The company says these recommendations are extended through the real estate agent member’s customizable profile, which includes several innovative ways to engage clients and showcase success.
Basic services are complimentary to licensed agents and include no referral fees, the company says. All leads are sent directly to the agent. The company says advanced functionality, such as the ability to link an agent’s website and social media profiles to RankMyAgent.com greatly increases search engine rankings for agents.
“The most powerful endorsement of an agent’s service is referral-based,” says Riti Verma, president of RankMyAgent.com. “Your online footprint influences your future relationships and RankMyAgent.com wants to ensure that potential clients can not only find you, but gain insight from others on the agent’s key strengths including expertise in particular neighbourhoods.”
A review team monitors each evaluation. Any flagged reviews require user follow-up to ensure that the user did have an actual transaction and experience working with the agent. This ensures factual and unbiased reviews, the company says. Members are notified immediately of any reviews and are provided the opportunity to respond and interact with the user.
