THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER #4 CAR Meetings in Monterey
THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Larry Underhill
LAST WEEK’S California Association of Realtors’ Directors’ Meetings in Monterey were pivotal in one important way: The assembled representatives of almost 200,000 rank-and-file California Realtors voted to move forward with investigations into the feasibility of a statewide Multiple Listing System.
As the professional real estate landscape changes, the people who lead our state and national organizations have to be nimble to stay ahead of the curve! CAR’s stated concern is that California Realtors need to outmaneuver those who would try to do an end run on existing Multiple Listing systems. The Googles and Zillows of this world are well-monied and tech-savvy. They also have the advantage of being unfettered by the requisite politics and endless discussion that come with any large trade association. CAR leadership is promoting the idea of pre-emptively putting a statewide MLS system in place that would be superior to anything the outside-of-real-estate competitors could come up with.
California Association of Realtors’ MLS Task Force recommended that the Directors approve further research into the possibilities of some kind of statewide Multiple Listing system, with the understanding that existing MLS systems would be included in the discussions. The Metrolist MLS System has served our area (actually, from El Dorado Hills to Turlock to Tracy to Pleasanton) very well over the past few years. Metrolist has joined with several other MLS groups to offer Metrolist members extended coverage that will extend even into the Bay Area. Metrolist is led by visionary, entrepreneurial, market-driven people who know (and play) the MLS game well. I’m not convinced that our California Association of Realtors can do the job better, or even as well.
W.I.I.F.M.? What’s in it for you, the consumer? My concern, which is shared by many Realtors, is that a statewide MLS could diminish the level of excellence offered to Realtor members (and thus to their clients) rather than enhancing it. Presently, every Multiple Listing System knows that the only way to survive in the current competitive marketplace is to stay on the cutting edge of technology and to offer the very best service available. If there’s only “one game in town” (the statewide MLS system), where’s the incentive to maintain excellence?
These concerns were addressed in soothing tones by CAR leadership at the Monterey meetings. It’s common knowledge that the mega-Brokers (real estate companies with hundreds of agents) are driving the push for a statewide MLS because they don’t like having to belong to many smaller Multiple Listing systems. The balancing factor is that most of CAR’s membership is made up of smaller brokerages who don’t necessarily share the position of the big guys.
CHANGE. It’s the one thing you can count on. However, all change isn’t for the best. I’m confident that the people who are tasked with evaluating this upcoming possibility will do their best. I know our Lodi Directors will be faithful to speak their minds. Time will tell where this issue will go.
Larry Underhill
LAST WEEK’S California Association of Realtors’ Directors’ Meetings in Monterey were pivotal in one important way: The assembled representatives of almost 200,000 rank-and-file California Realtors voted to move forward with investigations into the feasibility of a statewide Multiple Listing System.
As the professional real estate landscape changes, the people who lead our state and national organizations have to be nimble to stay ahead of the curve! CAR’s stated concern is that California Realtors need to outmaneuver those who would try to do an end run on existing Multiple Listing systems. The Googles and Zillows of this world are well-monied and tech-savvy. They also have the advantage of being unfettered by the requisite politics and endless discussion that come with any large trade association. CAR leadership is promoting the idea of pre-emptively putting a statewide MLS system in place that would be superior to anything the outside-of-real-estate competitors could come up with.
California Association of Realtors’ MLS Task Force recommended that the Directors approve further research into the possibilities of some kind of statewide Multiple Listing system, with the understanding that existing MLS systems would be included in the discussions. The Metrolist MLS System has served our area (actually, from El Dorado Hills to Turlock to Tracy to Pleasanton) very well over the past few years. Metrolist has joined with several other MLS groups to offer Metrolist members extended coverage that will extend even into the Bay Area. Metrolist is led by visionary, entrepreneurial, market-driven people who know (and play) the MLS game well. I’m not convinced that our California Association of Realtors can do the job better, or even as well.
W.I.I.F.M.? What’s in it for you, the consumer? My concern, which is shared by many Realtors, is that a statewide MLS could diminish the level of excellence offered to Realtor members (and thus to their clients) rather than enhancing it. Presently, every Multiple Listing System knows that the only way to survive in the current competitive marketplace is to stay on the cutting edge of technology and to offer the very best service available. If there’s only “one game in town” (the statewide MLS system), where’s the incentive to maintain excellence?
These concerns were addressed in soothing tones by CAR leadership at the Monterey meetings. It’s common knowledge that the mega-Brokers (real estate companies with hundreds of agents) are driving the push for a statewide MLS because they don’t like having to belong to many smaller Multiple Listing systems. The balancing factor is that most of CAR’s membership is made up of smaller brokerages who don’t necessarily share the position of the big guys.
CHANGE. It’s the one thing you can count on. However, all change isn’t for the best. I’m confident that the people who are tasked with evaluating this upcoming possibility will do their best. I know our Lodi Directors will be faithful to speak their minds. Time will tell where this issue will go.
posted by Larry Underhill at 14:17
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