Apparently, a New real estate marketing system was proposed in Maine. This system would be a statewide multiple listing system (MLS), and would compete with that of the Maine Association of Realtors’ database.
Two former Republican lawmakers — Stavros Mendros of Lewiston and Adam Mack of Standish — said they are preparing a petition drive this fall to collect the 51,519 signatures needed to place the idea before Maine voters in November 2007. Details are still being developed.
“The goal is to help the little guy save money and make the marketplace more efficient,” Mack, who develops apartment projects, told the Portland Press Herald. He said brokers “control a monopoly.”
FINALLY!!
It is about time someone in government did something about the MLS monopoly held by the National Association of Realtors – NAR. I’ve been proposing something be done for sime time now. Although I agree with many of the ideals of the NAR, I don’t believe that real estate agents should have to join different boards and associations to be able to list properties in a MLS. In addition, there is no reason why someone selling their house can’t play on the same field as someone listing with a NAR member. There should be a system where anyone, real estate agents, FSBOs, etc., can list or search for properties. As former lawmaker, Mack said, the marketplace needs to be leveled.
Who would benefit from such a system? Consumers.
Who stands to lose out? The NAR
I hope that this bill brings a change in Maine, and that the rest of the country follows in kind. It is a great idea that has been a long time coming.
Let us know what you think about it . . .
Article Author:
Joshua DorkinJoshua has written 539 articles for us.
Visit Joshua's Website: http://www.biggerpockets.com/
BiggerPockets.com was founded by Joshua Reed Dorkin in August 2004. An entrepreneur, web designer, real estate investor, and one-time realtor, Joshua was not satisfied by the online offerings of other real estate sites out there, and decided to build one himself. Mr. Dorkin's vision for BiggerPockets has helped to propel it into becoming one of the top real estate destinations online. His vision for the site and its future has brought national press attention to both Mr. Dorkin and to BiggerPockets.
Joshua Dorkin
John Fedro
Charles Feldman
Ryan Hartman
Ted Karsch
{ 1 trackback }
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I suppose that The Maine Association of REALTORS are among the biggest bunch of thieves in the state.
The Board of REALTORS in my town is a joke. But not a very funny one.
HTTP://victimordeal.blogspot.com
It surprised me, or I guess it should surprise but no longer does, that two republicans would propose “nationalizing” what is essentially private property. I guess I’m idealistic, but it seems to me that if someone has a problem with the current system, then they should create their own and compete, as many are doing. How did people sell homes before the local MLS came along? It’s like a kid that sees a friend buy a new bike after working to do so. Does the other kid follow suit and get a job, or does he just steal the bike..?
It’s laughable to think a Government run “MLS” will be more efficient — or cheaper — than a private, for-profit business. I personally like the MLS- the stock market for real-estate. When I want to buy or sell Microsoft shares, I go to the stock market. When I want real-estate, I check the MLS.
While everyone is happy to say that there “should be an open system”, I’m still waiting for the first group to jump-in and pay for it.
And I think the Kentucky-fried-fool who didn’t check the credentials of his mould inspector got what he deserved. Or at least what he paid for. Caveat Emptor, cheapo.
The reason I didn’t check his credentials is that the REALTOR® recommended him to me as a qualified inspector – right after I requested the mold inspection.
I’m NOT a cheapo. I was willing to pay a lot more. (I really had no idea how much these things cost. But I had braodband, a cellphone, and a laptop in my hotel.) And if the REALTOR® had not been a crook and had not recommended his crooked buddy, I would be OK today.
But I was just stupid enough to trust a crooked REALTOR®.
Realtor and MLS are bunch of thieves.
Is a Monopoly …completely Illegal.
This is unthinkable!
NAR owns MLS and now searching for a home on MLS leads everyone to ZipRealty? What on earth is up with that?
To become a realtor requires a check in the amount of $500+ that it. No education, no test, just a check. So the only difference between a Realtor and a Real Estate Agent is the Realtor Association Fee.
Plus in most areas of the country you cannot even use the word realtor in domain name of your web site.
It is beginning to appear that the only reason the NAR exists is for the yearly fee.
chris’s last blog post: Down Payment assistance for the Massachusetts First Time Home Buyer
Okay, I know that by now this original post is quite dated, however I feel it was definitely on track at the time. With Google’s recent moves into the world of real estate, I’m starting to think that we will have a free, national listing service sooner or later – which would deprive the NAR of their biggest competitive advantage.
Eric in Silicon Valley´s last blog ..Santa Clara County Assessor: Economy improving, but challenges remain