The End of The National Association of Realtors’ MLS Monopoly?
Author: Joshua Dorkin • URL: http://www.biggerpockets.com/July 26th, 2006 •
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 . . .
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Joshua Dorkin
Charles Feldman
Ted Karsch.
Troy Schuricht
Richard Warren
Jim Watkins
[...] Citing an article from the Boston Globe, the Real Estate Investing For Real bog insists that: There should be a system where anyone, real estate agents, FSBOs, etc., can list or search for properties. [...]
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.