What does the case against the NAR really decide?

The news about the Department of Justice versus the National Association of Realtors is being treated as a "we finally got those Realtors," type of decision.  But didn't the case just decide that you can't exclude one company from getting your MLS listings if you share them with other members?  If you choose to give/share your MLS listings to/with one company, then you need to let all companies have them.  Further, In my MLS, if you "opt out" meaning that you choose not to let all other sites display your listings through an MLS link, then you aren't supposed to use an MLS link to sho other MLS listings either.

As I understand it, the DOJ case was started because an MLS was keeping their listings from one company in particular.  It was decided that this is not the American way.  If one gets, all can get.  So now what are you to do with your listings?  First ask the ten questions before you allow your listings, or worse, place your listings, on a site other than your own.  Next, start making your site more easy to find in the search engines by SEO or paid ads.  Make your site what people find rather than your listings.  And most controversially, begin to prepare for the coming day when you can only display your own listings on your site - no MLS links for anyone.  (Some areas already operate this way.)

Despite the massive efforts of the aggregators like Rl tr.com, Zi llo, Truu lia , etc.  Many agents are finding that having their own site found brings in more business than allowing (or placing) their listings on referral sites or lead generating sites.  The Internet allows agents, even ones in a large company, to promote themselves in ways never before effective.  With a website, and SEO, a good agent can operate as if they are their own company.  If sites like REindex.com, The Site Engine® haven't already found your site and linked to it (free), send an email and they'll look at it.

So the DOJ case just says treat everyone the same.  And smart agents are now promoting their own web site at least as much as they promote their listings.  They are planning for the next developments in real estate on the Internet.

Happy Listing and Selling!

If REindex.com, The Site Engine® hasn't already found your site and linked to it (free), fill out their form and they'll look at it.