Redfin has never been a serious contender in Ventura or Los Angeles counties.  Right now my MLS tells me they have ZERO listings.  They've always been more of a buyer's agency than a listing agency anyways.  And since you need to "list to last" and I'm more focused on listings, I don't fear Redfin.

Right now, per my MLS, Purplebricks has 20 listings over Ventura and Los Angeles counties and about half of them are active, the rest are under contract.  Doesn't bother me at all.

Now Zillow, they're just a portal for now out here.  If agents stopped feeding them listings and paying them for poor quality leads, they'd be out of business before the end of the year.  They're far too spread out and have their hands in too many pies with the purchasing, rental management and lending sides.  Not to mention the labor law class action suits from their California employees.  With the market slowing some and a potential recession or worse on the horizon (especially if any of the left win the Presidency), I do not worry about zillow.  I don't expect them to see 2030.

All in all, Indiana Jones has a bigger fear of snakes than I do of any of those companies as competition.

Accuracy of data and inside market knowledge that cannot be determined by an algorithm. Knowing the right people to solve problems.

Learn how to rule in your own backyard....

Know your local market better than any of the giants.

I have not lost market share to these companies. Most of my business is repeat and referral and these buyers and sellers don't go to tech companies. They call me.

Give better service. Personal service.

Jason,

Finding the unfair advantage each and everyone of us has in their arsenal.  This is just an excuse about Z and company.  The cream always rises to the top.  A

I don't believe it takes innovation, Jason. I believe it takes a caring, customer-service-centric agent who our clients know and trust, simply keeping in touch with them. We educate them on these eBuyer companies and they don't think of ever using the eBuyer product.

It's all up to us to educate our clients...and stay in touch with them.

As far as I'm concerned they are only taking market share from agents who are sitting at their desks waiting for potential clients to come to them Jason E. Gordon .

I am with Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA 

Adding to that I just don't give them any attention as I do not see them as "competition" - nothing to "fight back" just keeping my focus on helping people. 

Always offer better service, the personal touch etc. The marketplace is always changing and we have to adapt to it. I don't see these companies making a big difference yet

Ditto, Candice A. Donofrio and Nina Hollander Be the LOCAL expert in your area.

Not sweating the competition.  Just continue being known as the Go To Expert Realtor in my area. A good portion of my business is Referral!

I see them grabbing SEO share, but not market share, we have that wrapped up.

With their rock bottom low fees and gave back generously, it is hard to beat them with fees. But I feel my service quality is better. 

Not an issue in my area.

I'm not sure there are called best practices or innovative methods, but thanks to them my business had actually grown and increased my market share. I refer them all prospects that I don't want. The ones that want a discount brokerages, too much on the sale price, and the undesirables. 

I also make them bid and buy prospect houses, where in those cases they are way overpaying for those properties as they now sit on the market unsold. That turns over my selling prospects into much faster and instant buying clients. If it was not of them buying those properties at higher than market price that now they can't sell, I would not have those buyers.

IMHO, the right human connection can never be replaced.  BUT... this is a great question that should remind us all to not get too comfortable.  ;0

Personalized service and superior local knowledge!

Have to see what others recommend

I don't think about them.... my eyes are straight forward and my only focus is how to make the phone ring as often as possible....

Mostly don't help them - Zillow specifically - don't buy leads from them, don't pay to be a Premier Agent or pay them for anything else. The others are not a signficant factor in our market.

Z uses our data like a leach. Z does not have market share. Redfin is here but their kickback business model is not doing well.

No "best practices" or "innovative methods" needed. just point out their weaknesses and lack of experience if it comes up, which isn't often.

Local market knowledge plus intelligent service in the form of appropriate advice should do the trick.

I do not ''fight'' back. 

There is enough clients for everyone. Just do your job well and your happy clients will refer you and not an agent who pays Z and others thousands $ for  promotions.

Better 'Hands-on Service' customized to our specific clients needs with an overabundance of patience

#1 Make agents aware that it is their association, broker and franchise that fuel the degradation of the real estate agent.  If these players did not empower these technology companies with agent created data, we would be having a different conversation.

#2. Create a tangible asset that is of value to the consumer. SERVICE if not that value. Much like the "full service' promise, the delivery is less that stellar in the eyes of most consumers.  If one were paying attention, the message of the companies is BETTER VALUE beginning wit Zdevils owners assertion that agents should be paid $2,500 per transaction.

#3. Use these platforms in a fashion not intended.

#4. Prepare for other agents to sing, "You can't do that!"

I don't let them worry me as of yet.  Just staying busy helping buyers and sellers in our area.

Fishing upstream and specializing in areas where tech fears to tread!

I believe nothing can ever replace the power of being present. So much is artificial in our sphere, and when your not, that makes so much of a difference. The power and practice of being there, although old fashion, has become the cornerstone of my new business. 

I keep them away from my credit cards

I am providing consumers choices though not in response to the new tech real estate companies. Many consumers don't see the value of the traditional real estate commission compensation model.  It is low risk to the seller and buyer, but high risk to the agent/broker. The seller has no skin in the game and can walk with little monetary impact.  Given the low risk, there must be a higher reward for the agent/broker, leading to consumer complaints about high costs.  I provide alternative solutions to meet a consumer's specific real estate needs.  And I get them to commit to skin in the game which lowers their costs.  For example, my real estate consulting option has them pay me based on milestones achieved during the sales process.  One of those milestones is signing the listing contract; they pay me a specific mount once they list. And they reduce their overall costs, maximizing their equity when doing so. Instead of having only two choices, FSBO or high-cost commission compensation, they can reduce their cost while getting all of the needed real estate services required. 

Those sellers looking for a deal probably would not have called me in the first place.  My clients refer me to their friends/colleagues/family.   

Niche marketing and neighborhood expertise :)