Jan. 31, 2006 - MLS

MLS stands for major league soccer and in real estate "multiple listing service." When I see things in the news about MLS I am disappointed when it is major league soccer.  Not that I don't like soccer, I just assume it is real estate related when I read the words "MLS".   I have info on Columbus Sports on my website including a link to the Columbus Crew if you are more interested in soccer than Columbus real estate. Or here's Major League Soccer! 

MLS is also Metropolitan Library System... Google if you need the link!

In real estate mulitple listing service is the private system that members belong to where our listings are pooled.  I can show a local Coldwell Banker listing, they can show my listing. I can show a local Re/Max listing, a local Keller Williams listing, etc.  Other REALTORS® as members of the MLS can show my listings.  We cooperate with one another to sell Columbus and Central Ohio real estate.

Below are my opinions about MLS... mine, mine all mine.

Q. Is Realtor.com an MLS? 

A. No. Realtor.com is advertising derived from a large number of multiple listing services across the country. 

Q. Is HERRealtors.com a MLS? 

A. No. HERRealtors.com is advertisements of homes derived from the Columbus Board of REALTORS® MLS system.  It is the best display of advertising locally in my opinion but I am certainly biased.

Q. When you look at listings online (at HERRealtors, Realtor.com or any Central Ohio area REALTORS® website) are you looking at the MLS? 

A.  No you are looking at advertising that is derived from the multiple listing service.  We advertise one anothers listings through broker reciprocity, IDX (more initials... wait until we throw in VOW and ? VOX? )    

Q. When you look at a list of homes that are being offered by unrepresented sellers (for sale by owner) are you looking at an MLS? 

A.  No.  You are looking at a database of properties being offered by the owners. 
 
Q.  Is Craigslist an MLS? 

A.  No. It is a database.

Different parts of the country the MLS is handled differently.  When in Rome you do as the Romans... when in Columbus we do it the way we do it.  "Real estate is local."

In Seattle the MLS is separate from the board of  REALTORS®  On a Seattle Real Estate Blog, Rain City Guide Ardell Della Logia wrote: Most mls systems are owned by NAR and State Boards of Realtors. " 

 I believe CBR owns our MLS.  I don't believe the Ohio Assocation of REALTORS® nor NAR, National Assoication of REALTORS® owns our MLS. Nor does OAR or NAR own CBR.  Ardell has sold real estate in more states and markets than anyone I know... but I believe her generalization is not true of this market.  Correct me if I am wrong.

According to the Columbus Board of REALTORS® "The Columbus and Central Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. (MLS) is a computerized network of more than 700 cooperating real estate offices. Within this service, thousands of professional real estate brokers and sales associates share listing and sale information and work together to serve the buying and selling public.

The MLS a subsidiary of the Columbus Board of REALTORS® (CBR).

In order to participate in the MLS, licensed brokers and their sales associates must first belong to CBR. This ensures for both buyers and sellers, as well as the other participants in the MLS, that the agencies they cooperate with will apply the same standards and agree to adhere to the same rules of conduct and professionalism." 

Our MLS has been around since1955. 

To me the BEST system for viewing the advertising of homes on the MLS is HERRealtors.com which is the same as the search set up on my websites. 

ColumbusOHHomes4Sale.com and MaureenMcCabe.com 

There are links to both on my profile... on my links
 

I think the little tabs on websites should really say "Search for advertising of  MLS homes" rather than Search MLS because it is confusing to the public... but there is only so much room for text on a little website button.  

An online glossary on REALTOR® Magazine's website defines Multile Listing Service and MLS:  "Multiple listing service (MLS): A service that compiles available properties for sale by member brokers.  "

Real Living's Online Glossary : Multiple Listing Service (MLS)  A system that provides to its members detailed information about properties for sale.

The Columbus Board of REALTORS® does not sell homes. The CBR members sell homes.  How does the public access the MLS? 

By contacting a member of CBR and the MLS and working with that professional. 

The information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice. Columbus Best Blog does not guarantee or is any way responsible for its accuracy, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Entries on Columbus Best Blog represent the opinions and ideas of the author(s). They do not necessarly reflect the views of HER Real Living. Copyright © 2006 Maureen McCabe & Columbus Best Blog All Rights Reserved

Jan. 31, 2006 - U.S. Court Rules MLS Membership not Anticompetitive

According to OAR (the Ohio Association of REALTORS®) "A decision that reaffirms the integrity of REALTOR-owned and operated multiple listing services, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky dismissed an antitrust lawsuit brought by a real estate brokerage and its principal broker in northern Kentucky against the Northern Kentucky Association of REALTORS and its subsidiary, the Northern Kentucky Multiple Listing Service.  The plaintiffs also failed to show foreclosure in the market for the tied product, because the brokerage failed to demonstrate that other associations compete in the same product market as the REALTOR association. The plaintiffs also failed to show the membership rule constituted an unlawful group boycott, because belonging to a REALTOR®  association doesn't have an anticompetitive effect in the market for real estate association services."

We have some business models in Columbus who whine about the market not being competitive ... in fact Columbus Ohio is known in the real estate world for having one whiney business model... many outside Columbus think the whiners are the movers and shakers in our market because they whine so loud nationally.  I'm sure they do a wonderful job for their clients and are wonderful people....  just whiney

To read the complete decision -NAR website

To read about a similar decision, in Wisconsin - NAR website

Copyright © 2006 Maureen McCabe

Jan. 31, 2006 - Trivia is My Life

I love Trivia.  I loved Trivial Pursuit. 

I am crushed that I did not know the answer to the third trivia question of 2006.  HER Real Living's 50th Anniversary is being celebrated with an internal trivia contest.  Works for me!

Question:

What is the name of the company Harley E. Rouda, Sr. worked for as a real estate salesman before he started Harley E. Rouda & Company?

Answer:

Ralph R. Greer Co.

I probably have heard or read that somewhere but "Ralph R. Greer Co." did not stick with me. 

I thought about saying "Donahue" or "Buy Ohio"  since I have heard of those companies from the past.   I believe they were the 70's and 80's  rather than the 1950's.   All before my time.

Next week....

The information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice. Columbus Best Blog does not guarantee or is any way responsible for its accuracy, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Entries on Columbus Best Blog represent the opinions and ideas of the author(s). They do not necessarly reflect the views of HER Real Living. Copyright © 2006 Maureen McCabe & Columbus Best Blog All Rights Reserved.

Jan. 30, 2006 - Makeover Madness

Home Makeover TV shows are all the rage. HER Real Living has done Curb Appeal Makeovers the past couple of years.  Look at the Real Appeal page of my MaureenMcCabe.com website for details on some of the Real Appeal makeovers. 

HER Real Livings information about remodeling an existing home. 

Some facts from HER

"Minor Kitchen Remodel Replace cabinet doors, oven and cook top, laminate countertops, sink, faucet and floor, repaint

Job cost: $8,507
Resale value: $8,030
Cost recouped: 94 percent 

Major Kitchen Remodel Redesign kitchen, replacing same items as minor kitchen remodel, plus built-in microwave, custom lighting, island

Job cost: $21,262
Resale value: $19,190
Cost recouped: 90 percent 

Bathroom Addition Second bath in a house with one or one-and-a-half baths; ceramic tile and linen closet

Job cost: $11,645
Resale value: $10,593
Cost recouped: 93 percent 

Bathroom Remodel Update existing bath with new tub, toilet, vanity, medicine cabinet, lighting, tile

Job cost: $8,423
Resale value: $6,480
Cost recouped: 77 percent 

The report goes on to say: " it's not really a new obsession. Owning and decorating your own home has always been a part of the "American Dream." Even founding father Thomas Jefferson continually renovated and remodeled his home, Monticello, over a period of four decades." 

"Do it yourself"  is very popular.

There are skilled contractors in our Columbus Ohio market.  Professional remodeling pays off in my opinion!

BIA - Remodelors Council

"The Remodelors Council is already planning the 2006 Showcase of Remodeled Homes, which will be held the weekend of May 6-7. The Council also recently updated its Consumer Directory, which is available free of charge to the public. 

The Building Industry Association of Central Ohio represents single and multiple family home builders, developers and remodelers in the area. Other members include subcontractors, suppliers and service professionals. Founded in 1943, its primary services include legislative and regulatory representation, development of favorable public perceptions of the industry, promotion of business standards, and support of home ownership. The BIA is the annual sponsor of the Parade of Homes, CondoQuest, and the Showcase of Remodeled Homes.

"The BIA has a Builders Directory and a Remodelers Directory available to people who are interested in building a new home or remodeling their current one. These informational directories list BIA Builders and Remodelers as well as other helpful tips for consumers." 

Contact the BIA for additional information.

Ranch with a remodeled kitchen that gets "ooooohs" & "ahhhhhs!"  

The home has had other nice updating too.   Professional remodeling pays off!

The information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice. Columbus Best Blog does not guarantee or is any way responsible for its accuracy, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Entries on Columbus Best Blog represent the opinions and ideas of the author(s). They do not necessarly reflect the views of HER Real Living. Copyright © 2006 Maureen McCabe & Columbus Best Blog All Rights Reserved.