In my little area of Long Island, New York, we are finding ourselves, as real estate agents/Realtors, behind the times. I noticed it tonight, when reading some sort of blog about the Iphone, Trulia, Zillow- and all I could think was, "I hate my Iphone. It's too complicated. The internet and gadgets are way ahead of my thought process." To boot...it doesn't interest me, this gadget stuff.

To the extent that the MLSli was added three years ago on the North Fork of Long Island (I've been relocated here for seven), we're doing well. Really well. Some buyers can now enter our territory, see a house with a local agent, and expect a disclosure of agency that is of value. Sometimes, the buyer agency box is checked.

Those that don't provide agency disclosure when appropriate are dealing with more informed buyers. A very good thing.

Buyer agency has been accepted at several different local agencies. In hindsight, adding both the MLSLI (with the requisite play-fair-in-the-sandbox expectation) and acceptance by not enough...but JUST enough smart local real estate companies makes operating here good- a few agents can make a difference. An ethical bent is a good thing. A bit of fresh air for those seeking it.

It gets polluted, that air, when I drive by  MLSli listings, and see an "EXCLUSIVE" sign rider representing a property for sale- but a second later, the pollution has passed. Until the next one, different broker. It's more sad than abnoxious. Behind the times...

All I can think is, "Poor seller. Uninformed by their  real estate broker."

This is the same seller whose listing agent pays a Realtor bringing a buyer to forsake the buyer, but refuses, or makes smaller, the amount paid to a fiduciary of the buyer. Chicken.

Probably done because dual agency is the preferred method.

Baby steps. MLSIli, and the benefits now explained to seller who would have "gotten it" all along, had it been offered...Buyer agency available (albeit, sparingly) to balance out and ethically serve BOTH parties in a New York real estate transaction (providing both, in our state of NY, with separate and defined fiduciary- not to mention uncompromised buyers and sellers).

Which brings me back to the excitingly forward nature of a local real estate agent who has put together a focused tour of certain properties for the benefit of all local lookers and Realtors...all together, now...until I consider my buyer who, having been included because it might help them find a home, may turn to me when the bus pulls into the first property, and says, "What's that EXCLUSIVE thing on the sign mean?" as I suddenly notice that in addition to the sign, this is "one of those companies" that isn't offering compensation to a buyers agent...

Baby steps are fine, but sometimes I'd prefer a steel toed workboot.