The National Association of Realtors next month will consider revising rules governing multiple listing services in order to explicitly permit brokers or agents to display Internet Data Exchange (IDX) listings on social networking sites and mobile devices.
Some aspects of proposed changes to NAR's IDX policy -- particularly a recommendation to allow IDX listings to be distributed using Really Simple Syndication, or RSS -- have raised concerns by The Realty Alliance, a network of 60 real estate companies whose members include HomeServices of America Inc.
Distribution of listings via RSS "allows anyone to obtain all data in an MLS area with no permission required and allows situations where another broker, who does not have a contract with the seller, (will) broadly publish another broker's listing data with no limitations," The Realty Alliance said in a letter to the chairman of NAR's Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee, Pat Callan.
"This creates a condition where the legally responsible broker is no longer in compliance with their contract with the seller and their MLS rules and regulations."
I'm all for it! In fact I'm one of those odd ball agents that gets excited about this sort of thing. I guess you would call me "New School".
This is something that will be fought ferociously by older traditional agents. I think all of us "tech savvy" agents have had our run in with one or two from time to time. They are the agents that call you up and say "Why is MY listing on YOUR website!?!?!?!"
The way I see it, the industry is going in that direction one way or another whether we like it or not. Take the recording industry for example - How many millions of dollars did they spend fighting tooth and nail to retain "control"? Although they did manage to shut down Napster I can go on my computer today and download any song for free, anytime day or night. What the RIAA should have done is concentrate on giving the consumers what they wanted (high quality instant downloads) instead of fighting them. They were suing their consumers! Take a look at the success of Apple with Itunes and you will get what I am saying.
The problem with the industry fighting within it self and trying to remain in control is that it gives the edge to outside businesses. We should be trying to perfect what we do and give the consumer what they demand. Let me explain-
Under the current MLS rules an agent may not advertise a property for sale that is listed with another agent, even if it is fully disclosed (I have contacted my board several times to find out where the line is. It's a little grey) On the other hand Trulia and Zillow (companies outside traditional real estate) can do whatever they would like. If it was allowed I could advertise any listing and get leads off of them, instead I must go to Zillow and pay $289/month to sponsor a zip code and get THE SAME LEAD - YES! THE EXACT SAME PERSON I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN ON MY OWN WITHOUT THE 3RD PARTY HAND IN THE MIDDLE. So how does that make Real Estate any better ?
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