Redfin has expanded into the Bay Area, but skipped Oregon. Why didn’t they stop halfway down? Ok, I know why. Eugene just isn’t a large market. Portland is, but SF is bigger. Still, all of Oregon is a hot market and less likely to be affected by “bubble” economics (whatever that is).

Here’s why Redfin is a good idea for Oregon:

• An online service like this will drive more transactions.
• It makes good brokers better at what they do, and weeds out the brokers that don’t like competition. A good businessman knows that competition makes you more effective.
• Redfin would drive more brokers online - resulting in more information for buyers and better access.
• Eugene home buyers need a service somewhere in between that of a traditional broker and the “for sale by owner” companies. A hybrid listings service.
• Some enterprising agents/brokers working for agencies that offer little support for their agents have an opportunity here to escape and work for a newcomer that’s reshaping the real estate landscape.

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