As for nationalization of the MLS (which is a separate issue, is it not?) – I don’t really see the point. However, I do see the point of some of the small MLS’s regionalizing a bit to accommodate consumer needs and agents’ businesses. Some of these Associations are trying to protect their imaginary-to-everyone-but-them borders for, it seems to me, selfish reasons.

I love the logic of this. You also mentioned sellers using the various tools and websites widely available today. Its interesting because most of the things we use on a regular basis – anyone could use. There’s no “insert license number” section on most of the sign ups for sites, so the tools are there, but because a seller isn’t using them day in and day out, they don’t know where to look or how to use them.

I agree with your idea of, if you want to use the MLS, then go get a license and pay your dues. There are plenty of non-MLS ways to look at homes or list homes and these days with buyers looking online before even approaching an agent, I’d propose that the MLS isn’t really the be-all end-all of real estate that it used to be anyway. With so many listing tools out there, you could list your home yourself and get it seen, much like an agent could. Of course there’s time, money, and effort involved…which is what keeps so many away.

And that’s without even covering the actual sale of the home – I’ll leave that for another day.

Matt911

On the flip side – Think about all the local mls locations that would close… that’s alot of folks out of work.

A national MLS that does not offer co-broke commissions (which is the actual purpose of the MLS) was another gem he proposed.

If he wants out of the real estate business, just leave.

Don’t get me going on couch repairs, I keep buying ones from sellers and the kids keep breaking them.