While IDX sites presently allow limited information to appear on all brokers' sites, new proposals [3] state NAR's ILD policy will create Internet Listing Display sites and individual brokers may opt out of allowing their listings to be seen on all websites: "Unless state law requires prior written consent, each Participant's consent for display of that Participant's listings on the ILD site of other MLS Participants is presumed unless a Participant affirmatively notifies the MLS in writing that it has withdrawn consent to such display ("opt out"). A Participant that opts out may not display on its ILD site(s) (including by framing any other website), if any, the listings of any other MLS Participant provided by the MLS. A Participant that opts out may not permit display of its listings on any ILD site of any other Participant. It may, however, display its listings on public websites of third parties, including but not limited to Realtor.com. A decision to opt out may not be revoked for a period of ninety (90) days from the date the decision becomes effective"
Looking back in time, the MLS was supposed to be simple: A seller – a listing - an agreement to share - a buyer - a sale. Everyone benefited, including the buyers and the sellers. The MLS model in use today dates back to the 1960s when almost all brokers involved in transactions represented the seller, either as the seller's agent or as the subagent of the listing broker. The seller paid the listing broker who, in turn, was responsible for compensating the broker working with the buyer.
According to the *Swanepoel TRENDS Report 2007* [4] this changed during the 1990s, with the evolution of buyer's agents, the advancement of the Internet, the subsequent and rapid sharing of real estate listing data online, and the copyright door being thrown wide open. Today there are 800+ MLS systems across the country and consolidation is inevitable.
The drive towards the freedom of information has caused MLS to evolve into a consumer marketplace and a quasi public utility. That in turn has opened new competitors such as Google, Yahoo!, PropertyMaps.com, Trulia, Move.com, Zillow.com, and Craigslist all searching for the winning model.
linkopingrenju@lists.lysator.liu.se