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An Interview About the Competition Bureaus' Challenge of MLS® Rules

By Marg Scheben

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX four seasons realty limited

March 08, 2010 08:30 AM

As many people know, the Competition Bureau has challenged the real estate industry's MLS® rules. I could say A LOT about what I think of this however, this clip does it much better and is well worth a listen if you are interested in the topic.

It is an interview with a non-partisan, consumer and real estate investor whose comments mirror my own feelings. He also raises a number of very good points to ponder and clarifies many misconceptions that exist. It's a bit long at just over 16 minutes but explains the issue very well.

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Jo-Anne Smith

Oakville, ON

hi Marg,

I'm bookmarking this post so I can hear it later when I'm back at my desktop upstairs....looking forward to hearing a positive take from a consumer.

Jo

Mar 08, 2010 10:59 AM

Kathy Clulow

Uxbridge, ON

Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Marg - Thanks for this Its our system our rules. A very positive statement from a consumer. Barrie agrees with his sugestion to take the site private again if they force it to be opened up.

Mar 08, 2010 03:00 PM

Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant

Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC

Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Marg...For some reason I can not see a link or video to watch our listen.

Mar 08, 2010 03:37 PM

Clark Hitchcock

Re/Max Nyda Realty Inc - Chilliwack, BC

Realtor - Fraser Valley

Just browsing tonight will bookmark for listening to tomorrow.

Mar 08, 2010 03:45 PM

Larry Estabrooks

Independent Real Estate Agent - Moncton, NB

100% representation means NEVER DUAL AGENCY !

The "take the site private" comment here and the similar one on the radio show indicates how misunderstood this issue is.

A couple of years ago CREA (we) changed the domain name for the web site from mls.ca to REALTOR.ca because of misunderstanding. REALTOR.ca is an advertising web site, NOT a "MLS® System". Let me repeat that:

REALTOR.ca is an advertising web site, NOT a "MLS® System".

Example - REALTOR.CA only displays advertisements for active listings. A MLS® System includes historical data on sold listings and expired listings.

If collectively we pay for a successful co-op advertising web site, why on earth would we shut it down? Why would we STOP ADVERTISING our client's real property? Don't we have some duty to our clients to advertise?

Mar 08, 2010 09:33 PM

Jo-Anne Smith

Oakville, ON

Hi Marg,

I'm back again ready to listen to the video, however it seems to be missing from your post....any idea how I can locate it?

Mar 08, 2010 11:16 PM

Brian Madigan

RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON

LL.B., Broker

Marg,

This is an interesting issue with strong views on both sides. Hopefully, CREA will take a firm position.

Brian

Mar 08, 2010 11:39 PM

Barrie Clulow

My Time Is My Own - Uxbridge, ON

To those who can not see the interview

TRY USING INTERNET EXPLOYER

it just does not show in Firefox for some reason

possibly another quirk of AR

Mar 09, 2010 03:49 AM

Marg Scheben

RE/MAX four seasons realty limited - Collingwood, ON

Edey - Collingwood, Ontario

Barrie - thanks for figuring that out as I was perplexed as to why some could see it and others not. For those who can't, here is a website link: http://www.reincanada.com/Video/TabId/74/VideoId/115/Competition-Bureau-Challenges-MLS-Rules.aspx?type=audio

Larry - I couldn't agree with you more. It's baffling that they have gone this route. It also makes me wonder about how we enforce our fiduciary responsibilities to our clients if we water down the pillars of agency. The law would appear to be at odds with the Competition Bureay leaving REALTORS® in a very difficult position. I think the comment about other industries taking note is an important one. Are they going to force public access to all successful, private websites? Maybe instead of kijiji, we can soon start selling our personal stuff on Wal Mart's website.

Brian - WE are CREA and yes, I hope WE take a strong stand.

Kathy - Barrie's view would certainly get attention however, how does that serve the consumer?

Mar 09, 2010 04:14 AM

Barrie Clulow

My Time Is My Own - Uxbridge, ON

Larry - While no longer in the business at one point in my Real Estate Career I owned a small independent brokerage so I understand some of your concerns.

If it were put to a vote I do not believe it would disappear at this time and I agree with that. There are more smaller brokers than large ones who get involved in the various boards and their vote would far outweigh the ones who do.

However

Personally I believe the drive behind the Competition Bureau's efforts is to broaden the access to realtor.ca.

With apologies to Marg
More of my thoughts on this can be seen here

Mar 09, 2010 05:06 AM

Jo-Anne Smith

Oakville, ON

Thanks Marg,

The strange thing is, when I read it the first time, I could see the link, then when I came back, it was gone....

Mar 12, 2010 04:10 AM

Terry Chenier

Homelife Glenayre Realty - Mission, BC

Marg,

I can't get the link, but I know the story. I've done several posts on this.

Mar 13, 2010 04:15 PM

Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant

Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC

Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Marg..Thanks for putting the recoding back up, Interesting Interview on the take on Realtors Services..Sorry but I'm one to take our Realtor.ca advertising site down, we need to stay in control, and come back with a new product after this mess. Consumers here do not like it, and call us, so I have mixed feeling. Being in the VREB MLS Committee for the last two years I and a few others developed an Open House Web site for the VREB membership..and the Consumers love it..once the Open House is Over the Listing goes down..it's been a huge success and saving our member hundreds of $$$. Check it out www.openhousesvictoria.ca This is the type of product along with Webinars etc we could be promoting accross Canada.

Mar 29, 2010 05:10 PM