Realtor.ca sees improvements...It's a start!

This blog, amongst many others, has received many complaints--from both consumers and industry participants--that the new www.realtor.ca had "flaws", and didn't work as well as www.mls.ca.

In the recent edition of "Realinfo", a publication from the REALTORS(R) Association of Hamilton/Burlington, the writer states that "Based on member and user feedback, the MTC {Technology Council} is also reviewing some usability and design options. These are being tested with consumers.They effectively address identified navigation or usability issues.This includes complaints that photos are too small, the thumbnai information is not sufficient and listings are too hard to find. Changes affecting these features will be implemented as soon as possible."

"Effective November 20, the existing zoom level restriction will be removed. This was originally installed to avoid situations where a property not displaying an address could still be located on the maps. This is now much less of a concern, because 85% of all properties now allow for display of address. Elimination of the zoom level restriction will also resolve some consumer complaints. For example, some result displays now show only the "500 property" warning simply because there are too many properties in the area selected, even if it is the lowest current zoom level. The change will mean users can zoom in as close as they want to view the listings they want. This change will also resolve the complaint of the map continuously zooming in and out. This occurs because the visitor has selected the lowest possible zoom level, but keeps trying to go lower."

"CREA also continues to work on making the site compatible with MACs and Firefox browsers."

Will such changes actually improve the site? Only time will tell. But at least this means CREA is listening...doesn't it?

Please give www.realtors.ca another shot...and let us know what you think.

*above paragraphs reprinted unabridged fromRealinfo, November, 2008.

Robert J. Morrow is editor of www.HamiltonHomeReview.com, an online real estate magazine serving Greater Hamilton, Ontario. Click here for a FREE SUBSCRIPTION sent to your email monthly. Click here to receive new Hamilton area listings in your email daily.