Jan. 29, 2006 - Agents "hoarding" mls data and preventing the "free flow" of mls data

Much has been written about this war between the technology industry and the real estate industry, over agents "hoarding" the mls data and preventing the "free flow" of mls data for public consumption. 

The mls download agreement for members only is restrictive, and does not permit the free flow of all mls data, which includes the alarm codes and other private information regarding owners homes. Often it tells agents when the owner will be at work, when he will be on vacation and when he will be sleeping (night shift workers). Agents need this info to know when they can and cannot show the property for appointment purposes. This is info robbers could use to know when the owner will not be home. It is not available for public consumption and is agent only info. 

Only the listing broker knows which sellers allow the photos for agent use ONLY and do not want a sign on the property nor do they want their living room and antiques on "public display".  Just because those photos are "in the mls" does not mean the seller has given permission for his home to be invaded via the internet to anyone who might want to peek inside his home for God knows what reason. 

So when a "bottom feeding", non LIBB member joins the mls for the sole purpose of getting into the mls data system for public display, they need to understand what the mls IS, and what it is not.