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California: MLS in Turmoil

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Cimpler Real Estate, Inc. CA BRE# 01330941
Arrival of new companies such as Zillow, Trulia and many others innovators put pressure on MLS to adapt. Known for stifling innovation through its bureaucracy MLS realize that if they don't change clients might choose alternative ways to list, sell and buy properties. Please check my posts

MLS In Turmoil

Public Access to SFAR MLS Goes Away

MLS Turmoil Continues - Northwest MLS get rids of Realtor.com

to read about reasons behind the turmoil and possible consequences. For now customers are winning as market changes are pressuring MLS to change. We see a rapid scramble to consolidation and hopefully the astronomic number of 900 MLS across the nation will start rapidly decreasing.

Comments (6)

Concetta Pepenella-Timmons
Remax Metro Staten Island, New York - Staten Island, NY
Associate Broker
I think Zillow and Trilia are just another internet tool and nothing more. Homegain has always allowed Brokers to post the listing on the web site.  The bottom line is they will not replace Realtors and I doubt they will replace MLS. Realtors run the MLS anyway. As long as Brokers keep up to date on their skills and have a service to offer MLS will be around. People want the services a Broker provides and the internet doesn't fill all the needs.  Its an institution with strong legal backing and the number one tool Brokers use. Sure the MLS may have to redirect and update but its not going anywhere.  I think its all hype on Zillow and Trulia's part.  MLS is non profit, why pay more?
Dec 17, 2006 09:51 PM
Scott Daniels Florida Real Estate 2.0. Agents Earn 100% Commission.
Florida List For Less Realty, Inc. Broker/Owner. - Cooper City, FL

MLS is in turmoil because some of the folks that run our local boards keep it in the "Stone Age"...

There lies the real issue......Don`t blame the zillow`s of thw world for being progressive. It`s a shame that many people who support the boards shun the use of technology!

Dec 17, 2006 10:48 PM
Concetta Pepenella-Timmons
Remax Metro Staten Island, New York - Staten Island, NY
Associate Broker

MLS is not in turmoil. Turmoil is a bit strong of a word to use.  MLS is fine. Its the Brokers who have to ask for change and when its agreed by all involved. Do you expect the MLS Boards will just jump to a change without proof its a good change? This is a business and MLS is a good working tool and association. I doubt some snot nose techie from Silicon Valley without any real estate experience/ background is going to turn the entire industry around. There's only one Bill and Malinda Gates. People with that kind of a shining star only come around once every 50 years. And if there is some kind of wave thats all it is.... just a wave and it will roll out back out to sea.

No offence to you but I have my doubts.

Dec 18, 2006 12:30 AM
Artur Urbanski
Cimpler Real Estate, Inc. - Burlingame, CA
Helping property owners to maximize property value

Connie, 

Zillow is more than another tool. What you have to look at - is the impact it made.  I am not sure if they will be able to sustain it, but at the same time - no one really knows their business model yet. So we have to wait and see. However , I agree with you that they will not replace Realtors. The world is changing and we - Realtors - will have to adapt to these changes as well. But ther is no doubt in my mind that Realtors will not go away. The future models will have agents and line sales and variety of combinations of agent model with on line sales. but the need for good Realtors will not go away.

Regarding MLS - it is a great institution. it provides an even playing ground for small and big brokers.  It is a very "democratic" business mechanism. But success spoils - over the year MLS became very unresponsive because of their bureaucracy. the fact that companies such as Zillow, Redfin, Property Shark, Trulia and many others came around is good for MLS.  It forces it to change and improve.  Wealready see the consolidation.  Ther is nothing better than competition. So let's be grateful that competition is here, and we - Realtors- should make sure that MLs is evolvin and becoming better and better.

Scott,

You are right, MLS grew "fat and happy". Now is time to change and improve. If not, other will come...

 

 

Dec 18, 2006 06:38 PM
Danny Smith
DISCOVER TEXAS HOMES - Round Rock, TX

I know about Zillow...what can you tell me about Trulia?

Jan 24, 2007 07:37 PM
Artur Urbanski
Cimpler Real Estate, Inc. - Burlingame, CA
Helping property owners to maximize property value

Danny,

 

The following is the text from Trulia's website:

Trulia is a residential real estate search engine that helps consumers search for homes for sale, trends, neighborhood insights and other real estate information directly from hundreds of thousands of real estate broker Web sites. You can create your own custom search by price, number of bedrooms, neighborhood and more - without having to submit a lead form, provide personal information or wait to get contacted by a lead qualifier who may not handle the property listing.

 

Go to http://www.trulia.com and chec for yourself.  It definitely provides a lot of value for clients. Trulia is broker and agent friendly. Go to http://www.trulia.com/brokers to read more.

Jan 24, 2007 08:49 PM