1. Listing Services--Free Lunch? I received an interesting e-mail from a reader this week asking about web-based listing services……. "Do you know of any on-line listing database of existing industrial and office properties for lease and/or sale? The Chicago area is more specifically what I am interested in. My findings are that these listing databases which may be on-line are incomplete and do not thoroughly portray the market." ….. The writer went on to say that he was aware of a very good subscription database, but that it was "very costly, especially for smaller companies."

……. Most web-based services that are totally free use information that is input by brokers, similar to traditional residential multiple listing services. Most proprietary commercial real estate information services, e.g., the Realty Information Group, have research staffs which proactively call owners and brokers in order to maintain the accuracy of their data. These two models raise some intriguing questions.

……. Will brokers and owners police their own data? Can web-based services transfer the cost of providing information to brokers and owners, rather than subscribers? Is there a middle ground? Can some information be provided free and other information be provided by subscription? Is there a difference between lease listings and sale listings……. Have you had success using web listing services? Which ones work for you? Let me know and I’ll re-visit this topic in future Dispatches.

2. New and Notable. Westmark Realty Advisors provides real estate advisory services to the pension fund industry nationwide……. The American Investment Property EXchange (AIPEX) is an interesting new trading desk for the sale of triple net leased properties by institutions and brokers……. Translocation Planning & Management Services offers project planning and management for facilities changes from its office in Tempe, AZ……. Jacintoport’s web site describes a deep water industrial development opportunity along the Houston Ship Channel with a sealed bid deadline of November 6, 1997……. The Market ICI World Network is an information service where real estate professionals can input their own haves and wants in Canada and the U.S.…… The Grandview Area Economic Development Council is a private-public partnership to promote growth of local economy, Grandview, MO....... BOMA-Toronto has launched their new web site.

3. Web Success. Under the heading "Give Information- Get Business," Bill Bobbit of Equis used a Dealmakers forum recently to seek information for his client, Ameritech, on two dozen locations in Ohio and Indiana……. "Those brokers who are willing to participate in supplying information, will get first crack at these locations as listings. We seek to cultivate relationships with brokers in these markets." …… This is another good instance of the Internet being valuable for connecting corporate service providers to secondary and tertiary markets ……. Correspond with Bobbit by e-mail only.

4. Staubach Academy. Last Friday, September 5, 1997, I spoke to The Staubach Academy in Austin. In a marvelous juxtaposition, my presentation was followed by a Top Producers panel featuring Staubach professionals talking about what made them successful……. Listening to their discussion reinforced in my mind a quotation from "Net Gain" by Hagel and Armstrong, "the Internet is all about establishing and reinforcing connections between people." ……. That thought should be indelibly etched in your mind as you make the considerable investment of time and money developing a web presence……. The reason that the best producers are so good is because they like working with people, not technology. So help them make those "connections."

5. RREEF Web Site Design. David Siegel features a chapter on the development of the 5-star RREEF web site in his excellent new book, "Secrets of Successful Web Sites: Project Management on the World Wide Web." ……. "To be part of a web development team is to be on the cutting edge of a new work paradigm, one that mingles fluidity and community with the construction of something vast, something complex, something we can never see in its entirety--yet people around the world will explore the moment we turn it on." ……. Save $20, buy the book at Amazon.com for about $30.

6. Adding Names to the Dispatch List. Do you have company colleagues that should be receiving the PikeNet Dispatch? It’s a great way to spread the word about the benefit of using the web. Just send me names and e-mail addresses. I can easily add a few or import dozens from a text file.

7. Subscribing and Canceling. If you do not want to receive this Dispatch, please reply with "cancel" in the subject field to remove your name. Please include your name and company name in the body of the message. If you know a person who would like to be added to the list, please send e-mail with the word "subscribe" in the title to Peter Pike .