Where would NAR and the local boards be without the MLS?

Sondra, Now that is a lot to think about. We only have on MLS in our market and you have to be a Realtor to be a member. Furthermore, the stockholders are the local boards. We don't see a problem with pocket listings. Most agents get a one time listing signed so they can substantiate the closed volume and claim it. Now Realtor.com's proposition is not going to be a favorable one to the masses.  As you said it clearly favors teams which already distort the true picture in sellers and buyers eyes.

The MLS is the crown jewels of local associations Sondra, and the search software that goes with it, belong to the affiliated REALTORS. NAR from many agent's perspectives has not represented them well at times and that agent ranking idea sounds not like an even playing field. Much of what is found on other sites is dated which the public does not know and Zillow and Trulia are threats to MLS systems. This is an ever evolving area with the "prized database" in the real estate world. Many things are broken in the real estate business model, if the MLS system and its integrity craters, you will have many more junior REALTORS pop up. I hope that does not happen.

That's why I tell them to call YOU!!  :)

We just made a large payment for NAR, state and local dues. The cost is far too high for the benefits we receive. And, the MLS systems have given away our business. You can't blame some for avoiding the broken systems.

How you do the real estate hokey pokey in your own market starts with what works, does not. Realtor.com is a big site, we have the enhanced listings with all the bells, whistles but there comes a time when the screws get too tightly turned. The give us your listings and then buy back the positioning to be the cream on the top. It just makes you finally determine the effort is building your own MLS with across the board inventory in all prices, locations, types. And you list them, sell them and create what you can control on the local level. Blogging on your platform for the SEO and not herded and lost in the AR crowd of faces, the Realtor.com etc masses. The other more matched to an audience like land buyer sites work super. Agregate to 350 other sites on Field and Stream, Mother Earth News. You have to ask yourself is the ROI on what did work working now or needs an adjustment. Reallocating the funds, times you spend in the weed and feed is always a consideration for sure. Work your stand alone first and spread out from there. Not the other way around keeps money in your pocket. Other people's hands out of those pockets. Too many agents, brokers have the just quickly "throw money" at it and there done. Does not work that way for long and home grown SEO bell ringing, good content, videos, blogs, images peddles properties, listings best.

NAR has prostituted the name given to members of its semi-compulsive organization to a lead factory.  It is not, and we are not realtor.com.  If the NAR protected the images and reputations of its members as well as it markets its money-generating name, we could look to it as fulfilling its mission adequately.  Real estate professionals deserve better, either a reformed NAR or an alternative association.