"I think MLSs should look at their rules and policies and any rule or policy that is not consumer friendly, they should consider addressing it ASAP, Justin Haag, the president and CEO of Northwest MLS (NWMLS), told attendees at CMLS Open House. Charlie Lee, the senior counsel and director of legal affairs at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), agrees that consumer friendliness is key. Consumer choice flexibility is key, Lee said."
"With increased scrutiny on the tying of MLS access to Realtor association membership in some markets, MLS leaders on stage at CMLS encouraged other MLS executives to seriously consider opening their MLS to non-Realtors. Later this month, members of Kathy Elson's Connecticut-based SmartMLS are voting on removing the Realtor member requirement from their non-Realtor affiliated MLS. The broker-owners and the head appraisers get it they understand that agents want choice, Elson, the CEO of SmartMLS, said."
MLSs need to examine rules and eliminate non‑consumer‑friendly policies promptly. Consumer choice and flexibility in policy design are essential. Participants and subscribers must understand how policies provide consumer flexibility and be able to explain options to customers. Consideration should be given to opening MLS access to non‑Realtor licensees, especially where access is tied to association membership. Votes to remove Realtor‑only requirements are underway in some MLSs. Offering MLS subscriptions without accompanying lockbox access or forms access limits the subscription’s usefulness. MLSs should align membership options with practical access to tools and property entry.
Read at www.housingwire.com
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