Comments on: Was MIBOR's Ruling Asinine?

By: The Power of Social Media

The Power of Social Media — Sat, 23 May 2009 02:27:49 +0000

[...] (MIBOR) Rules Google is a “Scraper Site” 2920292 carmel MIBOR and NAR hurting their membership Was MIBOR’s ruling asinine Free IDX from realtor.com NAR + IDX = FUBAR Rules Does NAR think Google is an Enemy Google Is A [...]

By: NAR Responds in DC | GeekEstate Blog - Real Estate Technology News and Analysis for Real Estate Professionals

Thu, 14 May 2009 21:32:13 +0000

[...] all the rage the past week since it hit Agent Genius (370 comments now and coverage on a variety of blogs and forums). The issue was discussed at NAR midyear, and the MLS Committee is recommending a [...]

By: Tony Sena

Tony Sena — Sun, 10 May 2009 00:29:29 +0000

Paula,

I am just glad to see we have someone like you and Jay Thompson that will be speaking on behalf of all REALTORS. This is a very important issue and we as a group have to make our voice heard. It’s obvious when we work together as one, it forces NAR to listen, case in point, they are flying you and Jay to D.C.

Good luck and keep us informed

By: Paula Henry

Paula Henry — Sat, 09 May 2009 23:25:04 +0000

Tony – Thank you for continuing to tell REALTORS about this travesty which is designed to take the data we have worked hard to obatin and relinquish to the everyone, except REALTORS. I am carrying my conviction to Washington on behalf of all REALTORS. The logic behind the interpretation of the rule renders the MLS data useless to REALTORS while giving almost anyone else with a real estate site the data to disect, disseminate and use to make us pay for the leads generated by our work.

REALTORS are bound by our COE and MLS rules to ensure the data which is delievered from our sites is accurate and untampered with. The IDX companies have an agreement with our local boards to protect the data and take reasonable precautions to prevent access to the data. Third party aggregators are NOT bound by the same rules.

By: Eric Blackwell

Eric Blackwell — Fri, 08 May 2009 12:22:49 +0000

Bernie-
In my opinion, Tony is 100% right. This is something that NAR members NEED to raise their voices on. if this was to happen nationally and be applied the way that MIBOR has, the consequences would be NOT GOOD for REALTORS as a whole.

Many of the longtail search terms that LOTS of folks search for would now be only accessible on Google or other search engines by third party lead aggregator sites. (They do not HAVE to abide by NAR rulings.) The problem with this is not how they are functioning now…it is how they would function then.

It would be EASY for them to monetize their sites by charging REALTORS either via referral fee or straight up.

HUGE problem in my view.

Tony, will be dropping you a link from my post on the subject here shortly.

best

Eric