Brownstoner Launches Brokerate.com
Remember when we asked for some volunteers a couple of weeks ago to beta-test a new service? Well, forty or so readers pitched in (thanks everyone!) and the result is a new website for rating and commenting on real estate brokers around the five boroughs–Brokerate.com. We’re not delusional enough to be unaware of the potential…
Remember when we asked for some volunteers a couple of weeks ago to beta-test a new service? Well, forty or so readers pitched in (thanks everyone!) and the result is a new website for rating and commenting on real estate brokers around the five boroughs–Brokerate.com. We’re not delusional enough to be unaware of the potential pitfalls of the project or the potential (near certainty, make that) for brokers to write about themselves and get their friends to vote for them. We’ve taken some steps to mitigate that behavior, but in the end we think people’s b.s. detectors are pretty good and that the honest anecdotes–good and bad–that people contribute will shine through. For the project to work, though, it’s going to need a lot of input up front, so we’re hoping that you’ll find the time over the next few days to browse through the list of brokers who’ve already been uploaded (you can sort the existing list by borough, ranking, broker last name, agency name) and provide feedback where you can. Then add the names of other brokers you’ve had experiences with. Our biggest plea to everyone is to remain courteous and civil even when expressing negative opinions. If you just write “This guy’s a loser” without providing any anecdotal context it’s going to carry a lot less weight. So please be honest, smart and civil–and thanks in advance for helping to create what we hope will be a useful tool for navigating what can be a stressful and frustrating experience.
Thanks,
Brownstoner
View All Brokers [Brokerate]
Rating Brokers [NY Times]
Bad Broker Beware [Gothamist]
Cool new Thing: Brokerate.com [Curbed]
Ed, because we all hide behind our anonymous veil.
Hi Ittybittybukem! Didn’t you think I was a broker once? Maybe your analysis or intuition are off. But I forgive you.
Meanwhile, Jim Rigney – I dealt with him years ago, and found him to be a bit of a snot who was interested in profits and pushing properties over everything else. Didn’t care for him – but that was years ago. Maybe he’s improved.
And like I’ve been saying, someone out there who’s received disparaging reviews is going to hire a lawyer (or is one themselves!).
Why don’t we create “BLOGGERRATE” so we can discuss our problems with blogs and bloggers?
There are 15000 brokers in NYC ltjpukem, have you spoken to them all?
I saw a lawsuit coming
Look at Jim Rigney’s scores. He is one of the rudest agent but on Brokerrate he comes of like a sweet little paternal guy.
This is horrible. Brownstoner you should be ashamed of yourself. Every asshole that has a bad experience regardless of whose fault it is will take it out on a broker. It is really disheartening that this is what you have become. Many agents work hard and barely make a living only to be blasted on blogs like this and now on Brokerrate. Other agents can get on and write about their competitors, how will you stop this?
By the way, FSBO may very well be the way to go. Avoid the broker all together!
After being sent away for a few days to a prison camp for failing to tow the party line, I thought Brownstoner realized that (a) its policies regarding “abuse” were unclear and (b) debating issues was part of what this blog was about.
Now excuse me, Miss Manners, but I have to switch forks because I finished my salad and am moving on to my main course.
Yes, we put him in the penalty box for a couple of days because of some commenting that crossed the line. We had an exchange off-line and I think Ed understands the etiquette we’re aspiring to around here better now.