A group of local commercial Realtors is surveying others to determine if there is interest in a new association that will work to get lower prices for data services.
Pete Gentry of Florida Commercial Real Estate Services is leading the effort, which was started when it was learned that one of two data services is buying the other, and more rate increases are expected.
“Nick Nicholson (Coldwell Banker Commercial) and I were talking earlier this summer and we decided to see if there was enough interest,” said Gentry. “The first step was a survey.”
The survey asks about the interest in the data services, Loopnet and CoStar. They have similar information but Gentry said prices will rise if Loopnet purchases its competitor, as expected.
The major question on the survey appears to be this:
“We are exploring the use of a National Commercial Information Exchange that is accessible to all and also feeds listings to Commercial IQ and Commercial Source and others, as well as provides FREE comparables, free property tax data, free demographics, free flyers, free brochures, and more for $35 per month or less.
“Would you be interested in becoming a member of a professional association and use this service?”
There is a data service that provides information named Catalyst, said Gentry, but it only deals with associations, thus the need to band together.
If formed, the new association would not be affiliated with any other group.
– by Fred Seely