Agent calls to check on “my listing” which isn’t my listing and isn’t purported to be my listing. Her clients found it through my IDX and she couldn’t find it in MLS. (Hint: remove the status checkbox and she’d have seen it was pending and her clients had dated information.)

So I explain all of this, we wish each other a good day.

Two hours later she calls back with another home and – you guessed it – it’s not my listing. At this point, it’s clear she’s either not checking the MLS, doesn’t know how to check the MLS, is Googling addresses for her data or is relying on her clients rather than doing the work herself.

It’s hard for me to say because when I’m handed an MLS number by a client (or an address), the first place I go is the MLS. Call me crazy.

This could be someone less than thrilled with indexing; clearly the concept is confusing to her.

Still if that’s the other side of the coin, I’ll happily stay over here.

Ines as always articulate as well as beautiful. And someone who steps up to work when stuff needs to be done. Thanks for stopping by to read and comment.

In your estimation, what percentage of NAR membership is in attendance this week? I don’t ask as a way of belaboring my point, just to get a feel for how important these events are in the eyes of the grunts on the ground.

Perhaps I should take your advice and alternate what events I can budget for to ensure I’m not voting without representation. As an example, the KW Orlando event had approximately 10% participation (77,000 agents, approx that number of attendees, minus a “0″).

Perhaps – as you and many others already do – I should look to leading the way by example, instead of by textample (ha! just invented a word!) – as the bumper sticker says “Don’t blame me, I didn’t vote”

Navy Chief, Navy Pride

Teri;
I thought the link did go to the post. I am responding to comments from my phone but I will try to fix that when I get back to my computer

Joe; Thanks for reading,for your comments, but most of all for your service.

I appreciate your concern about the costs of attending various meetings, but that’s a business decision, not a flaw in the system. And there was no arrogance felt or intended in my statement. When I began attending NAR meetings we were at the tail end of a major recession, I had a 4 year old son, was single income family and faced all of the financial issues that you refer to. I felt that my trade association events were important to building my business. If you feel that you need to spend your time and money attending other events, that is a personal choice that I would have no comment about. Your suggestions however do not allow for the interplay of members that a forum affords, the ability of the members to debate issues that are discussed, or the ability of the committee members to listen to all of these points of view immediately prior to their discussions on the topic (which the members present can observe as they unfold). So again, with all due respect to your personal and business choices, I would stand by my earlier position encouraging their attendance and participation. .

Unfortunately for the bulk of us (non brokers, smaller, depressed markets) this is simply a fiscal issue. I can either come to this – hear what someone else has to say to learn how it works, or plan to go to Family Reunion or Mega Camp instead (to grow). Cannot do both on my budget in this market. I’ve been blessed to still be in the trade (and to increase my business), but the truth is the VAST majority of the NAR stakeholders DO NOT have the resources in this economy to go to DC or San Diego. I would hazzard a guess that upwards of 85% of us couldn’t come if we wanted to. We need the transperancy some type of online Town Hall meeting might bring. Our forums are our letters, emails, and our comments on this and other sites.

Enjoyed the eloquence, agree with most of what you have to say, just struck me as a hint of arrogance that you were a bit glib about “you can just come and see…..” Down here in the dirt we can’t afford it.

Navy Chief, Navy Pride

Thanks for your thoughtful response. I did read the other post as a result of a “Google Alert” which is how I found your post too. It is great to see the points as well as the discussion from both sides. You are so right in that the folks keep trying and are devoting their time out of loyalty and for the greater good. I think it is a wake-up call or inspiration per se such as Matt said for others to get more involved as well. I need to come on Agent Genious more often !

Thanks Bill