RealTown's RealTalk

Neal Adler wrote in part:

Why would not allowing non-REALTORS(r) to join the MLS be a violation of anti-trust laws?  

We as REALTORS(R) have every right to protect our business. This is our livelihood and we should defend our way of doing business just like any other legitimate business.

tOMe responds with misinformation:

…Because the MLS is the only compilation (at least the major compilation) of homes for sale; keeping that information from those who are licensed to sell real estate just because you do not belong to the NAR club, is considered restraint of trade.

I would also point out that non REALTORS who wish access to an MLS do not get it for free so the argument that WE pay for it and they don't does not hold water.

Mark Jay comments:

….Classic “Toms”/REALTOR enemy argument….  Neal doesn’t mention ANYTHING about licensees who are not NAR member REALTORS getting access to MLS for free; so why bring that into the discussion except to confuse the issue?

But more importantly, the Courts have held in recent cases that it is NOT an anti-trust violation to require REALTOR membership to obtain MLS membership.  tOMe KNOWS this.  tOMe KNOWS that it is perfectly proper for a Board of REALTORS—in all but a small handful of states—to require REALTOR membership to obtain MLS membership and services.

tOM eARLy and Tom Hathaway were strong supporters of Attorney David Barry and his self referenced REALTOR “hostage” clients Jay Reifert, Sherry Edwards, Matthew Prencipe and Lois Hekker.  In all the cases—except Lois Hekker’s—the various Courts ruled that how REALTOR owned MLS entities do business is perfectly legal and proper.  ….And Lois Hekker would have lost also but for the fact that she died before her case concluded.

Remember that tOMe is among the small group of participants here who follow the NAEBA code of Ethics rather than the REALTOR code of Ethics.  Since the NAEBA Code of Ethics don’t require tOMe to be honest in his dealings with other licensees or consumers in general, tOMe is allowed to spread the kind of misinformation contained in his post above and other venues.  In other words; it’s best NOT to take anything tOMe writes at face value—there’s almost always a cloaked agenda he’s pushing and that agenda is to discredit REALTOR leadership, REALTOR practice methodology and REALTORS in general.

Mark Jay, e-Pro

REALTOR and Mortgage Consultant

414-771-7713  Voice

262-853-6001 Voice

Southeast Wisconsin MLS Region

Mark@MarkJayRealty.com

Jeff Rosenfeld wrote.....those books were bulky to carry around, and expensive for the MLS to print, but Realtors were the only source of listing information.

I loved those books…came across pages torn out and put in a client's folder….  Did I tell you I loved those books?  Buyer …had to CALL US!!  People recognized the "book" and automatically knew you were a Realtor.  Many a contact was made just by carrying that book.  Yep,  I LOVED THOSE BOOKS.

Ours were distributed after a Thursday AM Meeting of 200+ Realtors, coffee and pastries..many a personal contact made there, a social/business event created a camaraderie missing now…not to mention all the other virtues commented on previously…Ah, for the GOOD OLD DAYS…..

Norman E Tuttle

Granite Group, Realtors

Quincy, MA 02170-2702

617-429-7749

Norman@TuttleRealtor.com

Jeff Rosenfeld wrote.....those books were bulky to carry around, and expensive for the MLS to print, but Realtors were the only source of listing information

I was just wondering that if the MLS books were not accessible to the public, then why does the MLS online have to be available to the public.  The Cincinnati Board of Realtors do not make their MLS available to the general public.  Instead, the public has to go through a broker’s individual website to view it online and only if the broker has paid to allow that. Is it the individual board’s decision to make the MLS available to the public?