Are MyHome and Homehound merging?
by Peter Ricci, on 26th February, 2008 • 9 Comments
There have been a few whispers circulating that MyHome and Homehound are about to merge or are at least in talks of a merger. I don’t know how much weight I can lend to these whispers but it would be interesting on a number of issues.
I hope they do to be honest and I hope MyHome use the Homehound developers, who I must say have done a pretty nifty job of their website. Homehound is now more popular than MyHome (ouch) in terms of users, but it is their website I like the most. It really is a nice little site.
The only downside of all of this is the ownership issue. I just cannot see any portal working that is owned in full or in part by real estate agencies (franchises or not) unless everyone has a fair and equal share. If these two companies do merge, I hope (fingers crossed) they use the Homehound website and systems, as it still hurts for me to look at MyHome (although it has improved a little).
Other news:
My associate writer on business2.com.au, Dave Platter, has just welcomed a new child into his family, so congratulations to Dave and his lovely wife. Lets just hope the child and mother never hear the words “he looks just like his father”.
Comments
Hi Peter
Have you ever looked into the ownership of allhomes, the dominant portal in the Canberra market?
Mark
Mark Cohen
26th Feb, 2008
Yes, owned by an Agent it seems! REA has a large shareholder agent, I am talking about new websites and portals. Agents are more aware these days.
Peter Ricci
26th Feb, 2008
Yes - I hear they are going to call it “My Hound” with a branding jingle “walk around the block with us”. Personally, I prefer “who let the dogs out”. I think aagain they may both be barking up the wrong tree.
Robert Simeon
26th Feb, 2008
I think your right Peter, HomeHound.com.au is a really fantastic looking site. They will have real power in the marketplace, especially if they couple there already dynamic site with a few of the ideas America has already taken on board. For instance, a “Make Me Move” like Zillow already does. This allows vendors to list the price that, if offered, would make them move right now - but there not on the market. I think whats really needed is a flip in perspective. RealEstate.com.au focusses on protecting itself so much, its time we found a portal who made the customer the boss. Instead of telling agents what they can and can’t do with the advertisement of their listings, give their clients the right to use their portal anyway they see fit. Seems to me that agents are being led around with a lead like a small uncontrollable child. Peter Sheahan - “Business is no different from a kindergarten playground. In order to progress along the monkey bars you need to let go.”
Theres a place in the market for a portal that does it right, that gives the clients - i.e the agents and the consumer - back the power. But agents have laid down, Accepted the way it is and told new emerging portals that “realestate.com.au” have it tied up so why even try. “Don’t ever think that a small group of people cant change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” Anon.
Gemma Duff
26th Feb, 2008
My Hound… woof woof!
Glenn Batten
26th Feb, 2008
Thanks for the well wishes, Peter! Everyone is healthy and fine and the baby came home today. I’ll be back to posting again soon!
That’s a promise, not a threat.
Dave Platter
26th Feb, 2008
Congrats Dave!!
Glenn Batten
26th Feb, 2008
Yes the vested interests of this large franchise have tenetacles everywhere.
Agents should wonder how tall the chinese walls are.
snoop
2nd Mar, 2008
I hope you aren’t referring to David’s new addition Snoop ;).
Nick
2nd Mar, 2008