This is what happens when our industry leaders are asleep at the wheel – others keep jumping in to get their piece of the action.  These guys seem like just another agent-rating website, but they are a real estate brokerage too – and will co-list the property with the agent you select:

http://www.inman.com/2014/08/20/u-s-news-world-report-launches-agent-matching-tool/

An excerpt:

Launched in May 2013, Agent Ace uses patented technology to analyze a user’s location, home type and price range based on based home sales data to recommend the “single best agent for your needs — based on facts,” according to its website.

After a consumer asks to work with a recommended agent, Agent Ace offers the consumer’s business to the agent – usually by proposing to co-list or co-represent with the agent, but also sometimes through a referral agreement — in exchange for a slice of the agent’s commission if the match results in a sale.

The service doesn’t reveal the identity of an agent to a consumer until an agent has given express written permission for it to do so, Fawaz told Inman News.

The startup uses its status as a broker to acquire listings data and agent performance statistics from multiple listing services. It is licensed as a real estate brokerage in 43 states, has done several hundred transactions in the last few months, and has joined 140 MLSs, with that number “increasing every week,” Fawaz said.

Read full article here:

http://www.inman.com/2014/08/20/u-s-news-world-report-launches-agent-matching-tool/