I finally added a category for economics. Mostly based on this post on Freakonomics:
More Bad News for Real Estate Agents
Jeff Bailey reports
in the The New York Times today about how an internet site that cuts out
real estate agents has grabbed 20% of the market in Madison, Wisconsin. (I think
you may need a NY Times password to read the
article.)For $150, this site lists your home. The article suggests that real estate
agents have missed out on $17 million in commissions because of transactions
done through this site.
Being involved in the Houston Creative Community I have heard the debates (battles?) on agents versus talent versus unions. I reserve the right to change my mind later, but at the moment what I see is unions adding value (yes, I said it and typed it so strike me dead)