CALIFORNIA MLS HOLDS FIRST BOARD MEETING, APPOINTS BOARD CHAIRMAN
The statewide MLS approved by C.A.R. has been formed and held its first board meeting May 1. Called the California MLS (CALMLS), the entity adopted bylaws and MLS Rules, and approved a Request for Proposal from MLS vendors for the computer system operating the statewide service.
In addition, Mike Silvas, a well respected broker-owner from the Napa area, was elected as the CALMLS chairman of the board. Silvas will be leading the implementation efforts of the CALMLS going forward, which some have called one of the most important and ambitious efforts by C.A.R. to benefit Association members.
The selection process for a vendor or multiple vendors will take place in June of this year. Sixty one MLSs and AORs have sent in letters of intent to be part of the new statewide MLS. There are 70 MLSs in California. While there have previously been several laudable efforts to consolidate and share data in the state, the CALMLS is the only proposed MLS that anticipates complete statewide coverage either by local associations or MLSs using it directly as their primary system, or by them joining under the hybrid model which allows MLSs to access the benefits of a statewide system while maintaining a separate system. FOR MORE INFO
I know that some agents do not understand why CAR directors voted overwhelmingly to have CAR provide one MLS. 1. Right now the brokers of large companies must belong to multiple mls's in order for their agents to conduct business and this is very costly for them. Agents are not allowed to join an MLS unless their broker is a member.
2. We have to understand that some of us work over borders in which there is a different MLS. We should not have to pay for more than one MLS to do business and make a living. At one time because of political reasons, one MLS split and I had to join 2 MLS's because I worked in a city 10 minutes away that was part of another MLS. We all need to care about the needs for all agents not just our needs.
3. Even though recently a few MLS's are data sharing, that results in issues such as different rules, reports, access to different CMA's etc; in which they all should be the same. It also becomes an issue with ethics and other violations. Some MLS's are making a profit at the expense of their agents, others are non profit and in years past have reduced members fees and are looking out for the interests of their members
We should all get involved if we do not like what is going on and get the all the information to then make wise decisions.
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