There is a very interesting discussion thread in RealTown’s RealTalk community.  Industry veteran Jack Harper asks, “OK – So I need your collective knowledge on blogs.” Most of the comments correspond to thoughts supporting the wisdom and good sense attached to the growing number of real estate agents who choose to blog. There is some interesting dissent, curiously enough, from a real estate web designer. The challenges to support a case “not to blog” are compelling enough for me to take this discussion from the RealTown Communities page, a general social networking arena, to a more appropriate platform -- the Blogosphere.

Today’s announcement that Trulia launched a new blog platform is likely to drive a stampede to its site in coming weeks. I urge REALTORS to take advantage of social networking opportunities that are likely to post a significant return on investment; early adopters of technology are the first to reap the bounty in buyers and sellers.

“Think about it. When buying new tires, are you really going to read a blog at GoodYear? No! You came to look at replacing your tires... and GoodYear hopes to make a sale today with the price information they display on their site instead of you going to Bridgestone instead. If you want a new Lexus, do you plan on interacting on a blog with the local dealer? No. And once the "sale" has been made, will the consumer really plan on coming back often to see their sites again... even if they have a blog? Probably not for many months or even years! If you just bought a Kenmore washer & dryer at Sears, do you keep coming back over and over to look at washers & dryers again?”

“… The main reason many, many agents don't "blog" is because very few can actually "write"! I'm not being sarcastic when I say this, but all you have to do is visit lots of real estate agent sites and read their content to confirm this. Very few of us would be considered "authors" by others ...”