Howard,

Here is a copy of the email that send to all the agents when I approve them. Read the information located on the web page that I created to understand the benefits you are depriving yourself of by having that model:

Welcome to the Point2Agent Network! Your Handshake Agreement request has been approved! We are happy to have your listings showing on our website!

Now that we have approved your listings to show we hope that you will be as happy to show our listings on your site and that you see the great many benefits of completing the Handshake Agreement by approving ours, and the many other agents that are Pending Your Approval.

And to assist you in accomplishing that task in just a few clicks of the mouse we have created a quick tutorial to show you just how that can be accomplished in less than five minutes. But to add to that we also have added to the information the great benefits of completing the Handshake Agreement. Simply go to the following web address (URL) and where you find a tutorial complete with screen shots of just how and why you can benefit for completing the Handshake Agreement.

http://www.realestateguidetoflorida.com/Handshake/hsacr.htm

Thank you in advance!

If they do not complete the handshake at their end within a reasonable amount of time I send them a more stern and definitive email (this practice is on I have just recently implemented to weed out those that are attempting to abuse the system.) In that email I let them know what they have one week to take care of the issue or we and all our team members will begin blocking their listings.

I believe this is the only way to weed out the dishonest people who are abusing the system. It can have a negative affect on "stickiness" of my site as their will be less content for visitors to view.

But I don't limit the listings to those just in my area because I am marketing to a far to broad of an audience to only have listings in my area show up. Those that visit and leave their contact information for me and are not looking to purchase a home in my area I simply refer them out to an agent in that area. Therefore creating an almost passive income.

First - I'm not so much concerned about whether someone has reciprocated handshake listings.  After all, if they don't want to advertise other's listings, that their loss - not mine.  

I'll advertise listings in my tri-county area, and that's it. I'm not advertising every listing across the state, and certainly NOT across state lines. I licensed in only one state.

Of course the only handshakes I get are those in the tri-county area that I advertise in.  I approve everyone on hanshakes - most don't have listings when they first appear.  I don't have time to monitor every listing that comes across as a handshake on my website.  I will check the listings from time to time, and leave them up so long as there's a price, there's no contact information in the descriptions, it has at least one picture (if they don't want to put more pictures, their listing loses out!) and it otherwise conforms to advertising requirements.  If they do violate my basic rules, I weed the individual listings out - maybe that agent will do better next time.

cmon

just approve everybody

how can they hurt you?

I subscribe to broker receprocity because I want to give home sellers  maximum exposure and I approve all handshakes regardless of location because buyers surfing the internet my be looking in numerous locations. This also serves the seller because it expsoses their property to buyers who may be looking to relocate.  

I subscribe to broker receprocity because I want to give home sellers  maximum exposure and I approve all handshakes regardless of location because buyers surfing the internet my be looking in numerous locations. This also serves the seller because it expsoses their property to buyers who may be looking to relocate.  

I am a small office, and have just recently started the point2 site.  I approved a couple agreements, but am still trying to build my site so it is taking me awhile. I don't really understand how it all works, but am trying, so anyone that has listings by Palm Springs, Ca, or the Colorado River area of CA would be welcome.  I have 5 different sites and it takes a ton of time to input all the listings everywhere.

Kathy, Why do you have 5 sites? wouldn't one really good site be enough. If you own more than one domain then point them all to that one really good site.