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Are the days of the cooperative MLS sale numbered?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

Are the days of the cooperative MLS sale numbered by Richard WeisserThere was a time when sales cooperation was the backbone of the real estate industry.

However, recent marketing trends seem to be rejecting the long-standing system of sharing business amongst brokers.

Not a problem for me as I think that businesses have the right to establish any model that they wish. Innovation and entrepreneurship drive industries in new directions that were previously uncharted!

But I also think that it wrong to play it both ways. If you don’t want to share, in my most humble opinion, the listings should NOT be placed in a cooperative Multiple Listing Service if there is no intention to cooperate.

Surprisingly, most MLS services don’t seem to care about the practice, and as a result, more and more of these listings are popping up.

What does the future hold for the MLS model?

The question is this: Is the purpose of an MLS to serve as a platform for sales cooperation or is it just advertising?

My guess is that they won’t be around much longer, because they no longer endeavor to provide a necessary ancillary benefit to their customers.

I am not saying that they are dinosaurs that perished after a natural catastrophe.

 

Because they are causing their own extinction without ant outside influence!

Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Richard - I haven't seen this happen here, and our MLS requires an offer of cooperation. But it's a provacative issue to consider, and it would have major implications if it becomes a trend - certainly worth a discussion.

Featured in BananaTude!

'Tude!

Jan 19, 2014 11:36 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Wow, does it say $0.00   I can't even imagine no offer to compensate.  

Jan 19, 2014 12:40 PM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Richard, Haven't seen it here in Cincinnati or Dayton MLS, at least not yet.  It would almost seem that zero comp offer would lead to increased dual agency, and at some point there would seem to be a backlash against that to push the pendulum back towards cooperation.

Jan 19, 2014 07:17 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Rich. I am not sure about moving away from the mutiple listing services helps anyone. In areas where this has been pervasive forever, like NYC and others, it is both the buyer and seller who suffer in my view. 

Jan 19, 2014 08:54 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

No offer to cooperate then no placement in our MLS. I hope it does not change because that is the model most of us work under.

Jan 19, 2014 08:59 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

In some cases it is more subtle but equally compelling ... you might have to go to another website to "register" yourself and your client.

Wait a minute ... our MLS agreement already provides the vehicle for cooperation ... why do I have to register somewhere else and jump through all of the hoops?

"Because if you don't you don't get paid."

"Oh, and you better do it before your client registers without you because even though you showed the house they are free to buy it directly from us!!! Because the purpose of the MLS is only to advertise OUR website so we can enlist hapless agents to show our properties!"

Ah, now you are starting to see where I am coming from!

Jan 19, 2014 09:22 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

The co-op fee must be included in the MLS listing report here, at least the last time I read the LONG guidelines.

I'm old fashioned.  I still believe that the more eyes that see a home for sale, the sooner it is likely to receive offers.

That said, there are many agents in this area who have no interest in sharing a commission.

That's their business and none of mine.  Tough though when a buyer/clint calls about a home for sale the saw (yard sign) and I find that there's no co-op.  The buyer then fully understands that we can make an offer but my fee will be paid by them and not through the co-op, although it will usually be covered by a buyer credit from the seller.  Most just pass.  They don't really want to "go it alone".  That warms my heart.

Jan 19, 2014 09:35 PM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Interesting...I am not seeing this very often any more.  mOst of the time it had to do with agents that had huge amounts of foreclosed listings.

It is a dangerous way to do business.  What comes around.

 

Jan 20, 2014 12:43 AM
Jeff Fritzson: Frisco Real Estate Pro
Jeff Fritzson Real Estate, Ebby Halliday Realtors - Frisco, TX
Your Success is My Focus!

I have not come across that yet and I sure I hope I don't. This is about our clients. Do what's right and that means cooperation. 

Jan 20, 2014 05:52 AM
Rob Arnold
Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. - Altamonte Springs, FL
Metro Orlando Full Service - Investor Friendly & F

I have been doing flat rate MLS-only listings for 15 years now.  Sticking listings in the MLS for For Sale By Owners to get the exposure.  It used to be that Realtors did not understand these listings.  But now most people do.  With Zillow and Trulia surpassing Realtor.com as the #1 and #2 property providers, the writing is already on the wall.

Jan 20, 2014 11:43 PM
David Spencer
Keller Williams Northland - Kansas City, MO
Show Me real estate in Kansas City

Sounds like a MLS that does not know its own strength. Skirting your MLS contract in MRED would be fiancial suicide for a broker. Now many commercial brokerages have joined because they need exposure to 42,000 agents.

Jan 21, 2014 04:58 AM
Marti Steele Kilby, CRS
Steele Group Realty - La Mesa, CA
Broker/Owner, San Diego, CA

I really have not run into this as being too much of an issue in San Diego.  Most all listings that are in our MLS offer a co-op fee to the buyer's agent.  Unless I'm totally missing something, I think that our MLS is alive and well.

Jan 22, 2014 12:03 AM