Philip's blog suggests selling developed land

Phil also muses re: why RE agents aren't at the Welcome Area pitching their services - this type behavior has historically been considered rude.

New direction being suggested?

Subliminal advertising and shaping of SL.

Yes, the SL'ians have found that rushing newbies at the Welcome Area with group memberships, selling items, etc. has been rude.

But then, now it's time to turn a buck or two.

Go get 'em tigers!

As I mentioned on Philip's blog, I tried this in the wee hours of this morning, by simply arriving with floating text on my wrist advertising my profession, but not talking about it while there - just offering the usual mentor-style help.

I had several people in the Welcome area IM me asking for help with finding land. No, they weren't new arrivals, but players 1-4 weeks old or so. However, they all kept it to IM, which I felt was right and proper.

It was late at night, so not too crowded, but I'd like to know if Merwan feels what I did was rude. I actually felt uncomfortable doing it, and wouldn't have even thought about it if it hadn't been for Philip's suggestion. ("Abuse report me? You can't do that! I'm only doing what the CEO asked for!"

Maybe I need to adjust my comfort level on "advertising" myself. As it was, I didn't ask for any money for my services last night, but did say I'd accept tips None of the land I suggested to the inquirers was owned by me, in any case.

What we really need is a professional services directory, with access from the Welcome Area.

Philip Linden is a land baron! Ban him!!!

Hm, actually it sounds more like Philip wants to be a client of a land baron!

My husband asked me an odd question when I mentioned this thread to him last night: Would Philip be eligible for a First Land lot?

I know much of the world is Linden-owned, but does anyone know if any bits of land are marked as owned by Philip Linden? If not, I know of some lovely spots still open in the Lost Lakes region that I'd love to show him...

Maybe someone needs to start a group: Realtors

Then you could just wear your group label and people could easily recognize your profession.

Hi All,

Mia culpa - I've since realized that our current policy of not advertising/selling at the start area suggests that it is not OK for our hypothetical realtor to just stand there and pick up newbies (Lissie of course you have my happy forgiveness for only doing what I told you to). Silly CEO. This is probably a necessary thing given the current structure of the start area - we will keep brainstorming about how best to let services, etc advertise near there. Ideas welcome.

For now I guess prospective tour-guiding realtors need to meet newbies somewhere other than at the start area - how about a daily how-to-get-real-estate event or something?

Phil -

Ah - do i get a life time account and a Mule for pointing out your almost successful campaign to undermine your company?

Yes, I have thought long and hard about this, and my hubby has been pushing me in this direction. But then, if you're going to have a group of this type, you'll probably need some sort of membership criteria, some rules which need to be adhered to or you'll be expelled from the group, maybe even *gasp* a test you need to pass first! As there's less legal aspects to buying land in SL than RL, the test would be more about landscape knowledge (kinda like the London cabbie's test) - could we call members "licensed" even?

The more I think about it, the more my head spins. I once joined a tongue-in-cheek 'Land Baron' group, which someone made for the titles alone - and I got neg rated by someone who saw it in my profile. The Realtor group would have to maintain certain standards for it not to draw the same reputation.

Plus, there's the question of which group do I drop to make Realtors.....

--TOES FOR SALE! GOT YA TOES HERE! GETTEM' WHILE THEY LAST!

Lisse i think there already are a couple of Realtor groups in SL.

I think what he is trying to say is, lay off Chance Small and the Land Barons of SL! Advertisment spam with regards to land barony is now welcome at the Welcome Area! W00t!

I like the directions Lisse thinks!

I think a real estate group where you have to take a test to get into the group would be reassuring to other users who want to buy land. To know you're going to someone who actualy knows wtf their talking about rather than just someone who came in the world 2 weeks ago and wants to make a quick buck because they saw an interview that said they could make money via land.

Its the same deal with real real estate agents, you would much rather go to someone whose educated about it rather than someone who just wants your money.

So I say more power to yah Lisse, if you can find people who would be interisted in starting the group with you, go for it!

I personaly don't have a problem with the settext. You could alternitvely make your title say "Realitor For Higher" or some such and basicly just be slightly less informative but still let people know you do that too.

With regard to advertising near the welcome area (not in it, since most advertising is annoying), but isn't there a board near Stage4 that allows users to put ads on it? I think to the... uh... left of it? Not sure how many newbies actualy look at that though.

Events are a good idea, also of course having a office listed in the Places directory would probably be good.

The ad boards are there by the stage but yes I'm sure limited traffic. Maybe some boards put up in the WA or some stalls for info cubes etc? All the land in the WA is object return on which can be a pain for the gratuitous Skyguide trying to dock his balloon and walk down to drum up clients. Hint Hint Lindens.

I searched groups for 'real', 'realtor', 'realty', 'estate' and 'agent' and got nothing except a couple of private companies.

I'm thinking of something more along the lines of a (hate to say this) legislative body, or oversight organization that land developers/traders can join to give them added credibility. Maybe like R.A.T.E.

If you can point me at any that I haven't found, I'd be grateful. If they exist, they keep well hidden!

Lisse my intention was to point out that you might run afoul of the powers that be, since Phil seemed to be suggesting a new direction at the Welcome Center. Thankfully he updated us with:

"Philip Linden
Hi All,

Mia culpa - I've since realized that our current policy of not advertising/selling at the start area..."

I've sent you a PM.

Lisse, that's exactly the kind of thing I think would help bring some respect to people whose business is dealing in land. Providing a set of self-governing 'rules' (similar to how RATE operates) could instill a level of trust among the more cynical in our community, including myself. One might even get referrals from non-Realtor residents if those residents felt they were sending a noob to a reputable business person.

Of course, the group would need to come up with formulas to establish the fair market value of property. Market studies would need to be implemented to ensure the land appraisal was in-line with current market trends.

In the event that we were to implement some sort of test/certification for real-estate agents, what sort of test / questions / requirements would folks suggest for the process of getting certified?

First and foremost -- look at the person's record of behavior regarding land and auctions. Does he/she "game" land inworld and in auctions?

For example -- has this person consistantly bid up the price of land in auction to shut down the competition, and then not picked up the land by the deadline -- in order to "save" the land for a future auction when he/she can afford it?

Or, has there been consistant complaints about this person's tactics among the SL community -- among buyers, sellers, and neighbors?

Accurate answers to questions like these would probably be more useful than a "test" in determining who should be certified as an agent.

Some suggestions:

-Make all land transactions public record, for starters.
-Make an associate of real estate agents with self-governing powers and a dedicated Linden monitor. Later on, as SL grows, this can become independant. This association should have a website, all agents should be publicly known. Provide an easy way for players to file a complaint that will be investigated by the Linden monitor. Unlike abuse reports, these complaints should be public knowledge.
-Take definitive actions to stop land-fee delay exploiting, i.e. not confirming land for a week. (This is probably in Linden Lab's financial interests.)
-Add more features to the land sale find option to give consumers a little bit more empowerment. (Check out my post in Feature Suggestions for a few ideas.)

1) Actual development of the land.
2) Non-abuse of neighboring plots (no terraforming a sheer-faced cliff just to sell the land because it's an eyesore)
3) An avatar in good standing with the community at large.

That means no:
1) Bulk selling of undeveloped plots.
2) Bulk selling of LftL plots.
3) Bulk selling of any sort (unless you have an army of builders developing the plots, obviously).

That'll prevent the money-grubbers from humping everyone's leg to get certified.

LF

I endorse all of Donovan, Hiro and Lordfly's ideas.

I particularly like the idea of the Real Estate Association starting out under Linden auspices, because a) this means it will actually happen, and not become a forgotten venture, and b) it will do much to prevent it being seen as "someone's" pet project, and favoring or discouraging any cliques, groups or individuals.

My own ideas:

1. Minimum time since joining SL.

2. Must be premium member (Duh!)

3. Must pass geography test (Which of these Sims are tropical? snowy? terraformable? contain telehubs? have First Land currently available? have a road or river? have zoning regs? have high mountains?)

4. Must pass financial test (How much would you value these lots for? what is the current US$/L$ exchange rate? what would be your maximum bid at auction on this lot?)

5. Must have more than minimal social skills (maybe check ratings?)

6. Must pass special programs test (Describe First Land program. Explain auction process. Give a solution involving group land permissions to enable this group build requirement to be met.)

7. Must have a minimum number of independent positive testimonials from other residents (check for alts!) who have been helped by this person in quest for land.

8. Must "sign" an agreement to act in accordance with a code of ethics.

As in RL, it might be possible for estate agents "in training" to intern with a licensed agent in order to learn enough to pass the above criteria. Once licensed, they would be free to "practice" alone.

Hm. This is sounding tough! I need to talk to Merwan.....