North American Realtor

[codyturk]

Just recently purchased northamericanrealtor.com.
I know what your thinking. "You idiot why do you need a domain that is longer than a novel." Tell you the truth I don't know why. lol

Anyway here is the link for the site I have planned out for it.
http://projectjock.com/projects/websites/nar/index.php

The site will end up being php. Realtors will beable to add there site links and a brief discription of about themselves.

Don't really have much to say. Just wanted to get some ideas on the site.

Thank you.


projectjock.com
Cody Turk

 

[cx409]

Like the layout and colours. Improvements? Plenty as well:

• "Quality Vacation Rentals" ads' green doesn't fit the other green well.
• Header right looks like its in an iframe, and that looks...well, not really nice. Just get rid of the drop shadow or whatever you have on that border.
• Your top listing box top looks wierd, don't know why...maybe it's the corners

 

[Hobnob]

In my opinion:

There is no real focal point.
It was kind of painfull to look at because of the range of colors you chose. (nothing blends)

I like the picture you chose, and think that you should mold your template around the colors in that picture.

 

[codyturk]

Thank you guys for the input. Increased your guys reputation.

I changed up the color scheme and inserted the search form. The php and mysql is still unfinished.

Thank you.

 

[Tippy]

As far as I know the Realtor TM is heavily garded, if your a certified Realtor you should be ok using the word in your Domain if not I'm not too sure it will be ok, do some searches on the subject at Yahoo.

 

[J4m!3]

Got a nice warm feel to the design, i like it.

 

[clasione]

There also could be a TM issue with the "North American Realty" company

 

[codyturk]

Going to check into it now. clasione and Tippy. Thank you for the warning.

 

[Hobnob]

He is not trying to sell homes, he is just listing people who do, and for that reason I fail to see why him having 'realtor' in the name would be a problem. (He does not need a license if he is not selling anything.)

As for the "North American Realty" company, if they have a problem with you're site name tell them to buy it from you. You dont even offer the same service as them. (you are not immitating any part of their site content/layout so I see no issue with them.)

On a side note:
I think the site looks alot better, GJ!
The links at the top can be easy to miss... How does a white or lighter shade like that look?

GJ on the layout.

 

[Gene]

He is not trying to sell homes, he is just listing people who do, and for that reason I fail to see why him having 'realtor' in the name would be a problem. (He does not need a license if he is not selling anything.)

The word 'realtor' is an aggressively protected trademark. It makes no difference whether you're selling real estate.

 

[codyturk]

I found this not sure if this will include me.

4. I am licensed as a sole proprietor. Can I add the words Realty, REALTOR, Real Estate to my name without applying for a DBA?

Yes. You can add anything to your company name providing you are also advertising using the company name as licensed.

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Here is the link. http://www.dol.wa.gov/realestate/refaq.htm

This is Washington not sure if it applies in all states.

Doing more research into the matter.

I talked to a realtor here in town. They said I'm ok aslong as I do not plan on selling houses, land, or anyting of that nature. They said that aslong as I only offer listings to licensed realtors that I will be ok.

 

[Gene]

4. I am licensed as a sole proprietor. Can I add the words Realty, REALTOR, Real Estate to my name without applying for a DBA?

Yes. You can add anything to your company name providing you are also advertising using the company name as licensed.

That answer is correct. But it is assuming you have permission to use the word 'Realtor' in your name.
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I talked to a realtor here in town. They said I'm ok aslong as I do not plan on selling houses, land, or anyting of that nature. They said that aslong as I only offer listings to licensed realtors that I will be ok.

NOT true. You need permission to use the term 'Realtor' for any commercial purpose.
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[codyturk]

Ifor any commercial purpose.

I don't have any plans to use it for any commercial purpose.

 

[Gene]

I don't have any plans to use it for any commercial purpose.

"Realtors will beable to add there site links and a brief discription of about themselves."


That, my friend, is commercial purpose
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[codyturk]

Looks like I will have to offer free service to licensed realtors.

 

[Gene]

Looks like I will have to offer free service to licensed realtors.

Whether or not you charge anything, it's still a commercial use. The realtors are receiving advertising for their companies. That translates to dollars being generated.

Even if you only used it for personal use, such as a blog, the trademark owner can still force you to stop using their trademark. Not as likely as in the commercial use you described above, but it all depends on whether or not they like what you're using their trademark for.

 

[Tippy]

Quote

"Q. May I use the word "Realtor" as part of my website domain name?
A. Associations may use the term as part of their websites, but individual Realtors or firms may not. For example, www.fairfaxexitrealtor.com would not be a proper use of REALTOR in a domain name according to NAR association counsel Mike Thiel.

The REALTOR marks must always be used in such a way as to identify a member of the Association. The rules indicate there are two acceptable ways in which the term REALTOR (or REALTORS) may be used in a domain name. First would be with the member's name to identify that individual as a member.

There are various ways in which a member's name may be used with the term REALTOR in a domain name, for example, johnsmithrealtor.com, jsmithrealtor.com and realtorsmith.com. The second way in which the term REALTOR may be used is with the name of a member's real estate business. For a firm with the name ABC, they could use ABCrealtors.com.

For example, if the name of the firm is Exit Real Estate Results, a proper use with the firm name would be ExitRealEstateResultsRealtors.com or even FairfaxExitRealEstateResultsRealtors.com (Fairfax is acceptable because it relates to the firm name and possibly distinguishes between different Exit Real Estate Results offices, and is not describing REALTORS). The domain name www.fairfaxexitrealtor.com is improper because it is neither the name of a member or a member's real estate business."

 

[Keral_Patel]

wow anyway I liked the layout. And please remove the ads from that page. It is against Google TOS to put adds on form pages without the content.

 

[labrocca]

Whether or not you charge anything, it's still a commercial use. The realtors are receiving advertising for their companies. That translates to dollars being generated.

Even if you only used it for personal use, such as a blog, the trademark owner can still force you to stop using their trademark. Not as likely as in the commercial use you described above, but it all depends on whether or not they like what you're using their trademark for.

Yes but it's not HIM that's using the site for commercial purpose. As long as it's a free informational site I believe he is in the clear. However I don't see a point in doing all the work if you are not going to make any money EVER.

 

[Gene]

Yes but it's not HIM that's using the site for commercial purpose.

He is the one responsible for the site, and the one who is offering to place realtor listings on his site. That puts the entire burden on him.

That being said, it's likely they wont bother him about it, since that type of a site isn't ruffling their feathers. But I wouldn't be comfortable using the TM 'Realtor' without permission.