Members Please note that this is an open to the Public Blog. 
Costs to open MLS Listing Doors? 
Minimum annual investment isn't that bad
compared to the opportunity. Please see Scott's Blog in order to follow my train of thought.
You have to have the right tools in order to practice Real Estate. Scott Daniel
MS MLS Min Opportunity Costs | Annual 3rd YR + | Annual Alternative | Monthly | Monthly Alternative |
License Renewal | $ 65.00 | | $ 5.42 | |
NAR, MAR, GCAR | $399.00 | | $ 33.25 | |
MLS/Broker | $720.00 | $360.00 Agent | $ 60.00 | $30.00 Agent |
E & O | $205.00 | Add ONS ++ | $ 17.08 | |
Supra Ekey | $299.88 | Display Key: $114 | $ 24.99 | $ 9.50 |
| | Key Ins /NO INS | $ 2.08 | |
Lock Box Rental Buy Your OWN | | $ 60.00 Buy Your Own | $5 each LockBox | |
Total Min CDB | $1, 688.88 | | $140.74 | |
This is the cost to open MLS listing doors and to list straight MLS. All other choices we make are optional depending on how we choose to do business.
Keep in mind that whether one is a REALTOR/MLS member or not, an agent still has to go through basic training and pass licensing (many feel that basic is not enough and the licensing requirements are too minimal, but that is another blog entirely).
Agents vary according to CE education, designations. ($$$, time, and effort investment).
Agents vary according to how they market: Web site, Hard Copy, signs, other media.
Operational costs vary: Gas, communication
Gross income from closings vary as well by Broker/Agent Split (including who pays for what).
My question is this: If an agent is not willing to pay MLS dues--where else are they cutting corners?
Is it legal? Yes. Is it ethical? Debatable. Is it preferable? That choice belongs to the client.
Do you want to go to the closing table with someone not willing to pay the costs associated with opening MLS listing doors? What level of professionalism do you expect from an agent you may be going to the closing table with?
Agents who pay for MLS access are also (in most cases as far as I know:-) members of NAR and are obliged to adhere to the NAR code of ethics. Further, MLS boards provide additional ethical guidelines, through rules and regulations.
When you list your home and your agent uses an electronic lockbox there is added safety in being able to track which agents have accessed your home, and the time coming and going.
The purpose of this blog--As a consumer, whether buying or selling, the choice is yours whether to use a licensed agent, or a licensed agent who is a REALTOR/MLS member. What level of professional commitment do you feel most comfortable with?
Opening Doors is just the beginning. 
Suzi Gravenstuk, REALTOR/Broker, MS Real Estate License #17787, Gri, ePRO,
Member: Gulf Coast Association of REALTORS, Mississippi Association of REALTORS, National Association of REALTORS, Gulf Coast MLS.
PS: CAll for Assistance: Blood Donations needed! Fellow REALTOR, Jon Ross and husband of MLS/GCAR Staff employee, Roni Ross has recently been diagnosed with Acute Leukemia. Jon has been admitted to Ochsner Hospital in New Orleands and will be undergoing treatment soon. Anyone wishing to donate blood for Jon may do so in any city/state, at any hospital or blood bank. Give his name and the name of the hospital he is in and Jon will receive credit for it.
;)
;)
One "strategy" I have for converting FSBO's is suggesting that if they have to put all of their advertising egg$ in one basket or if they only anticipate spending a certain amount on marketing their home, I suggest they contact a discount broker who will do nothing more than simply place their home on the MLS for a flat one time fee. I explain to them it's not only a tool we Realtors use to help locate properties for our clients but it's also how the public finds homes, via the IDX, the search engine that drives all of the search engines on the internet. In fact I go on to explain that in Reality they're getting their home on our website and all of our competitors websites as well! Also, I explain that (after already determining that they'll pay a 3% buyer broker) an agent will just as likely show their property for they make the same commission as they would if it were listed with another agent, and the buyers agent is accountable to their buyer and should show the property especially if the buyer wants to see it. The difference being of coarse the other Realtor is working strictly for their buyer and not for the seller.
They are delighted to learn this. Indeed, I go on to say that their home will now be found easily through Google and Yahoo searches as well AND even REALTOR.COM!!! I tell them that millions of dollars are spent to get clients to those sites and so this way they can rest assured that the 89% of all prospective buyers that use the internet to search for homes will be able to find theirs as well. They are amazed as you can well imagine! In other words I try and help them sell their home the way I would sell my home if I were a FSBO. The thanks I get is usually their listing. 9 times out of 10 on repeat visits back to the prospective client they have not even contacted a "discount broker." "Haven't had the time." "We're probably going to list anyway." Followed by, "where do I sign?" Which as you and I know is the wisest of decisions. To sell your home without a Realtor is like driving a car without a steering wheel, I would not advise it to my closest friend - even if that Realtor isn't me.
***Of coarse of the 89% that use the internet to search for a home only 29% (According to latest NAR) actually find their home using the internet. Hmmm... where do you thinnk the rest of them find it? Someone's help perhaps?***
It goes without saying that I explain to them that there is much more to marketing and selling a home than putting it up on the MLS, but not to put it on the MLS would be of greater detriment, and criminal if you're a Realtor. So to answer your question, YES - I think it's criminal not to place your clients on the MLS. I think it's UNETHICAL. And in this day in age I'll take it a step farther and say if you don't have at least six photos of the home or property uploaded I think you're also not in compliance with our Code of Ethics Standards and Practices and due diligence.