Marc Rasmussen, a successful Sarasota REALTOR®, has been in a fight with his local MLS regarding his own Sarasota MLS website that originally had the domain name "thesarasotamls.com".  You can read all the lengthy details about TheSarasotaMLS.com Gone and my take about how The Sarasota MLS Attacks Its Own Member.  The story was also picked up by Inman News and I'm glad the word is spreading.  There are a few posts already on AR about it so I won't rehash the entire situation.

But what I did notice in reading all the posts and articles already created was some misinformation, and that's the purpose of this post.  I'm not going to name individuals but just write about some of the comments made on those other sources.  If I am wrong about something please correct me but give us all facts to disprove anything I've written.

One commenter stated that everyone goes through orientation and MLS was never allowed.

I went to orientation in 1983 and we didn't have computers back then.  So I don't remember any mention of MLS not being allowed in a domain name.  That statement just isn't true.  It might not be allowed now, but Marc purchased this domain back in 2003.  I do not believe there was any law or rule in 2003 on the subject.

In fact, NAR's own spokesman, Mr. Internet (Michael J. Russer) told people how to choose a good real estate domain name.  Read about how Mr. Internet Told Agents to Use MLS in Their Domains.  Look at the footer links in that article.  Yep, this was published by the National Association of REALTORS®.  For all we know, Marc read this article and ran to GoDaddy and tried Sarasota real estate - taken, Sarasotahomes - taken, Sarasotamls - available!  Hey, that's one of the suggested domains on the chart Mr. Internet used in the article so it's OK!

Another commenter suggested that Marc should have investigated first.

And that's exactly what he did.  He called NAR & FAR and was given the green light.  I would have felt pretty confident if those associations told me it was OK.  Remember, Mr. Internet suggested it in 2002.

You can't use MLS because NAR and/or the Sarasota MLS have it trademarked.

Oh no they don't.  It is trademarked, however, by Major League Soccer!

And yet another commenter basically said that Marc shouldn't have depended on his website for his business.

This poster's comments insinuated that Marc should get down and dirty and go back to door knocking and sending mailers and all that back to basics stuff instead of working on a website where the leads just fell into his lap.  In the 25 years I've been in the biz I've done it all - well, I never advertised on a billboard, bench or shopping cart.  So I guess I didn't do it all. 

My point is, if the only way to get business was to door knock I wouldn't have lasted 25 years.  I hated it!  And I refuse to do it.  I don't like cold calling, either.  Yet I've been Agent of the Year many times in my office. 

NAR states that 82% of potential buyers start their search on the Internet.  Any agent that is not trying to get some of that 82% is facing an uphill battle the way the Internet has been changing real estate over the years.

I don't know what Marc's marketing techniques are, but if all Marc did was have a killer website he should not be put down for it.  I'm sure the jealous agents that couldn't catch him in the search engines are doing a happy dance right now.  And that's too bad, because I don't think Marc was able to handle all the leads he received and was referring many.

Last year my website sent me over 50% of my business, which was a record year for me.  I spent less time and money in marketing than any other year - because of my website.  Remember, I hate door knocking so I keep my website as well oiled as possible so it continues working for me.  Unlike cold calling, I love working on my sites.

Now I have some questions. 

• I have read that The Sarasota MLS doesn't technically exist anymore.  They merged with another MLS and it is now called the Mid-Florida Regional MLS system.  In Northern IL MLSNI (MLS of Northern IL) and CAR (Chicago Association of REALTORS® MLS) merged and the new MLS name is MREDLLC.  There is no longer any MLSNI or CAR MLS.  So why the fight?  Oh, I know, Marc angered some agents.

• How can NAR suggest using MLS in a domain name and then change the rules and not grandfather existing sites?  I've also read how some agents were forced to give up their "MLS" domains while others in the same board are allowed to continue using their's.  Again, seems like the domains that show up at the top of the search engines are the only ones in the witch hunt. 
  

• Do other agents realize what this means?  That real estate vendors and lead generators can use MLS in their domain names and on their sites - but we can't!  Type mls.com into your browser and view the site it takes you to.  Click your state and look at the bottom of the page - Home Gain!  If they are a licensed real estate broker I don't get how they can use this domain name.  I guess they're not a member of NAR or the local associations.  So all those Sarasota agents that felt Marc had an unfair advantage, don't you think this is unfair?  I do!

For any agent that does not think this is right, please help Marc out.

Make some of your own posts on the subject.  Throw Marc some link love.  "Sarasota real estate" and "Sarasota homes" are the big keywords to use as anchor text to Marc's new domain, http://www.luxurysarasotarealestate.com/.  Other good keywords are Sarasota homes for sale, sarasota florida real estate and sarasota real estate agent.  I've sent him some links to different pages on his site.

If you don't care about what is happening to Marc please don't start flaming.  I have never met Marc personally but have "met" him online and he comes across as a great person.  Help his cause if you can.

Just found song lyrics on this debacle by Cal Carter.  Let's all sing the SAR Pokie!

Click the link to get your Sarjacking button.