Should Everybody get to see Listings Online?
In the past few years, there has been lots of confusion, controversy and fear surrounding the online searching of homes for sale by non-real estate agents. In fact, this very issue is the subject of a Department of Justice lawsuit filed against the National Association of Realtors.
The local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is the brokerage funded cooperative for agent-to-agent sharing of listing information. The MLS is the key tool for real estate agents to list and search property in exchange for a commission upon the completion of a sale. The controversy arises over whether or not the general public should have full search access to MLS listings. In addition, should agents and vendors be able to use MLS data in order to lure consumers in the attempt to generate customer leads?
In my mind, what gets lost in the confusion is the distinction between the curious public and serious clients. Few would argue that a qualified and motivated buyer should be able to see any and all properties that might fit their needs. This is the basic premise of CleanOffer.com: Give complete, unfiltered access to those clients who have proven their seriousness by committing to work with a real estate agent of their choosing. The question is, should the general public have the same access as serious buyers?
What do you think?
The local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is the brokerage funded cooperative for agent-to-agent sharing of listing information. The MLS is the key tool for real estate agents to list and search property in exchange for a commission upon the completion of a sale. The controversy arises over whether or not the general public should have full search access to MLS listings. In addition, should agents and vendors be able to use MLS data in order to lure consumers in the attempt to generate customer leads?
In my mind, what gets lost in the confusion is the distinction between the curious public and serious clients. Few would argue that a qualified and motivated buyer should be able to see any and all properties that might fit their needs. This is the basic premise of CleanOffer.com: Give complete, unfiltered access to those clients who have proven their seriousness by committing to work with a real estate agent of their choosing. The question is, should the general public have the same access as serious buyers?
What do you think?
posted by Top Agent Network at 11:56 AM
3 Comments:
I think this is funny, because even cleanoffer has to have an agent "represent" someone, just for me to be able to look at cleanoffer MLS listings. So if my agent is not on Cleanoffer - I can't look at it.
So what is this about Everybody?
Thank you for your comments.
There are numerous websites that allow the general public to look at listings. These sites are generally designed as advertising tools or lead generators to help agents and brokerages collect contact information on potential buyers and sellers. As such, per MLS rules, these public sites cannot have the complete MLS dataset that is available on CleanOffer. Still, for the typical early stage homeshopper, they do a fine job.
Because MLSs view CleanOffer's private tool as an extension of the agent-client relationship, consumers (clients) with agent representation are allowed to access to all listings, all statuses and complete addresses.
Remember, the MLS was designed as an agent-to-agent tool, not as a public utility.
I think access to the MLS gives the potential buyer more information. The ability to see what's available and the listing prices allows the buyer to make better decisions about their potential purchase. It only makes sense that with the evolution of the internet the MLS info be available.
I'm not sure why this info has to soley for real estate agents any more.
Giving buyers access makes the real estate agents' job easier by letting the buyer do research and pick out houses they would like to see and to know about open houses without an agent.
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