http://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Selling/Why_do_most_of_the_Major_Brokerages_NOT_use_MLS_in-94084And why are the ones that do use it allowed to not follow MLS rules by LIBOR? Some companies use MLS in Westhampton, Hampton Bays and on the North Fork, but don't employ it in Southampton, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor and East Hampton. Some brokerages do use it sporadically in the eastern Hamptons, but not consistently and last year, withdrew from IDX. Why all these shenanigans?en-ushttp://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York-831/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York-831/Although it's only a step, congrats to Corcoran for displaying addresses on their listings. I was at a networking dinner in Manhattan last night with their Director of Online Marketing and he said it is making a real difference in the effectiveness of their marketing. I'm sure the other Hamptons brokers who continue to play hide 'n seek with their listings will follow Corcoran's leadership.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:48:03 -0800http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-11971-140678/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-11971-140678/Paula, you clearly have no interest in the additional exposure that MLSLI and Realtor.com (by the way- please check website stats before making generalizations) afford sellers/buyers. Your sellers/buyers choice, to engage your services. Or not. I'm not certain that the FTC requiring that an MLS anywhere providing consumers with a venue that affords both discounted listings, and "regular" listings, is problematic- in fact, it's a good thing. While it might rattle some cages, those that offer great service will be fine. This has been going on for a few years, so is nothing new to those of us that like the statistics provided by a solid MLS. Consumers need the data offered. Still await the "why didn't the MLS work", out of curiosity, but no expectations. There is no perfect MLS, but a data entry portal that can be shared and used to benefit consumers (with Realtors/appraisers in all areas) in addition to providing exposure to sellers/buyers is hard to ignore, as many homeowners struggle with payments, and search for buyers. Covering all bases is never a bad thing- that "fiduciary" thing matters. Finding properties with a simple click is just whipped cream on the McDonalds mocha. Realtor.com being the most visited website by a huge margin is the cherry on top, for those seeking the "best possible price" for sellers (more exposure), or the simplicity in that click of locating "the one" for home buyers, and their buyers agent, well, it works for some of us. Make that: MOST of us! You'll get there...Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:08:26 -0800http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Southampton_NY-905359/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Southampton_NY-905359/Michael, There is a very interesting interchange on ActiveRain today regarding the very subject that you brought up here....you would probably get some of your questions answered if you read that post. It got featured so it should not be too hard to find if you go on that website. Interesting that one of the points made by several of the respondents was that MLS is not goverend by the state in most cases and is usually a private membership situation. I didn't realize that was the case---it always seemed that, when brought up on a blog site, that MLS is a huge governing body out there to make sure we all participate or we could lose our licenses to operate; on the contrary: There was an attempt on the part of the FTC to punish MLS in Detroit for not allowing discount brokerages to list their properties on the Michigan MLS. ...Something about the share of commissions etc. That failed and this post brings up alot of points about MLS and it's struggle to keep it's long held position that brokerages MUST participate or they are "doing a disservice" to the seller and to the buyer. It seems that, in a lot of places, MLS is losing market share to internet websites and it is happening FAST. The number of these sites is multiplying exponentially and is threatening the very survival of this 100 year old "institution" know as MLS! So it may not even be an issue before too long whether we "elites" on the Eastern end of Long Island join the motley crew of MLSLI!!! Thanks for bringing it up again and maybe now we can all put the matter to rest.... Best regards,:) PaulaTue, 03 Nov 2009 13:17:59 -0800http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-11971-140678/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-11971-140678/Hard to resist a revisit, Michael, but JR hit the nail on the head. Problem is, this business isn't about individual agents and their comfort level, it's often a numbers game for sellers in which the more qualified buyers that visit, the better the odds of a sale. MLSLI provides the exposure needed for the MAJORITY of Hamptons homeowners. The multi million dollar properties are the minority, not the majority, in the Hamptons. Unfortunately, the silly "elite" mind set has infected typical property sellers. Buyers were relieved of "hide and seek" to locate a property years ago in most areas, so to be introduced to that mind set in 2009 is offensive to many of them. They don't CARE about tradition; they care about getting the house that they want, without a lot of nonsense. Sellers just want to sell their home. They don't (and shouldn't) care about who brings a good buyer. If they do care, they are able to "opt out" of exposure on MLSLI- simple. Realtors from outside of the Hamptons recently sold a property in Southampton for our seller, as well as getting a WHB offer accepted for another. A few Hamptons brokers called to see if they'd be compensated if they showed the properties (absolutely) but "heard" about them- didn't FIND them. Not a good thing, their buyers having to introduce a potential purchase found on MLSLI to the very agent hired to locate it for them- particularly when one of the Realtors belongs to a company that, at least on the North fork, participates in MLSLI! You're right, Michael, at least with respect to Aspen, Co. I'd guess the median price there is considerably higher than the Hamptons, but Colorado is very much an MLS state. They like the data benefit, because it remains consistent for consumers, appraisers, and Realtors. Unfractured, if that's a word. That it "can't be changed" is very much a question mark; that change has to be forced is the REAL question for many. A question I'd like to see answered in specifics is: WHAT DIDN'T WORK ABOUT THE MLS, that appears to work just fine everywhere else in the country? For typical sellers in a range at or below the median $, what didn't work? MLSLI sure worked great for the listings that we had, but we welcomed anyone that had a buyer able to qualify for a purchase- no strings attached, just get our seller an offer! That this is a second home community makes it all the more compelling to welcome agents from other areas that may well have clients seeking a second home, irrespective of the price point.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:27:24 -0800http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York_NY-82052/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York_NY-82052/IMO the South Fork agencies feel they are in an elite group, and to join LIBOR would be like going to McDonalds for coffee instead of Starbucks--it would be low rent. As I said on the other thread, look at how many agents LEFT the company when a one of the boutique real estates became a national franchise. Now the SF has their own MLS, through HANFRA, which they are trying to force on the North Fork also. A lot of the SFers don't want to share their commissions with "up-island" people. I went with LIBOR rather than HANFRA, HANFRA is a one man band. If I had a commission dispute with another agent, with HANFRA "mediating" I would likely have 3 people on the other side of my dispute whose grandparents went to school together since kindergarten. I'd rather have strangers. I don't know where the SF agent is saying MLSLI didn't "work" for them. Having secret listings DOES work? Most of my listings are sold by other agents, how can I get them sold without giving those agents acess to my listings? I don't know how any agents can say OREX gives them more exposure than MLS. Especially the Pru agents who have thier listings fed to every imaginable website that exists.Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:53:24 -0800http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York-831/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York-831/That's terrific, Paula! Best wishes for continued success. MichaelSun, 01 Nov 2009 06:40:27 -0800http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Southampton_NY-905359/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Southampton_NY-905359/Michael, I am very happy with the business I am doing right now---4 things in contract and 2 more heading that way. I have used MLS and got nothing from the exposure--people who want to buy here generally have to live near-by for access. Principle residences are a small part of the inventory here so the exposure that you feel is so important on MLS has a range of maybe the island, connecticutt and sometimes NJ. The handful of other people who buy here are Europeans who live here full time now or use their houses for the summers and close them up or rent them out for all other time frames. Speaking of rentals---that is a huge market here as you know. How does MLS handle rentals? .....Not the same as OREX or HREO for that matter.com Another thing you may not know is that we have extensive exposure on websites like NYT.com, WSJ.com and Streeteasy.com to name a few---we are doing OK., Thank you...and the owners think we are too. If they are unhappy with OREX, we put them on MLS, thus the low percentage you mention on your post. PaulaSat, 31 Oct 2009 14:22:12 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York-831/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York-831/No offense intended, Paula. Please forgive my tone. You have a great reputation and are a real professional. And yes, I have lived and done business throughout the US. Having been a managing director and VPO of companies doing business here, I have first hand knowledge of the business decisions around not employing MLS. So while you may have chosen to believe that "We have found a system that works for buyers and sellers", I respectfully disagree and venture to say that there are many potential buyers of Hamptons properties that don't even know these listings exist because the combined exposure of all the local brokerages (yes, Corcoran, BHS and Prudential DE are local brokerages) and aggregators don't come close to the exposure that these properties would get on Realtor.com. And that, is not fair to sellers because brokers here would give more exposure to their sellers listings if they employed MLS on a wide scale. If you're happy with the number of qualified buyers that are coming to your listings, then why change a thing? If you're not and would like to see more buyers contacting you, then why not get behind using the largest real estate website in the world? Realtor.com Ask your company executives why they don't use MLS. Ask other company executives out here why they don't use it. Please let us know if you get a clear answer backed by facts and post those facts here.Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:38:01 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Southampton_NY-905359/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Southampton_NY-905359/Have you worked in those areas? Maybe if you had I would see the comparison---"all real estate is Local" as you know Michael and for you to say that this area East of the Canal just does not want to play by MLS rules is just an uninformed answer---. Why so angry over something you can do nothing about? We have found a system that works for buyers and sellers--the only complaints I have ever heard are from Agents who can't sell houses here because they choose not to participate in OREX and those who feel alienated for one reason or another. Now, when you get upset by what I just said to you, just look below this answer and see that maybe, just maybe I am matching your tone--I do not like to be told that I am selfishly not participating in a system because I "have decided to reduce competition by refusing to employ it." I do not find it ingratiating to be told not to "drink the cool-aid" either! You get back what you put out there.....Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:48:45 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York-831/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York-831/Then why is MLS used in Malibu, Palm Beach, Big Sur, Vail, Aspen, Beverly Hills, Naples, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angelos, etc - every other metropolitan and second home community in the US? Sorry Paula, MLS is not used in NY and The Hamptons because the brokers in these markets have decide to reduce competition by refusing to employ it...it's that simple. They tell you "it doesn't work here"...Don't drink the kool-aid.Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:03:29 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Southampton_NY-905359/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Southampton_NY-905359/Well, here we are; the usual suspects! The Hamptons, East of the canal have tried to utilize the services of MLS over the years--there have been several attempts, just as there have been in NYC. MLS does not work for this market nor the city market. Because this is a second home community, with most owners being the same apartment dwellers in Manhattan and therefore not here all the time, they request a very different service than MLS offers. The PRIMARY home owners here are usually the ones who want MLS to represent their properties.....and we do accomodate them. I understand that this is a "thorny" issue to those of you just outside the area that uses OREX , however, you must understand the need for a very different treatment when it comes to a resort area and a second home market.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:27:56 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Riverhead_NY-690568/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Riverhead_NY-690568/Per Maryann, OREX gives sellers "at least" the benefit of MLS (li). Has Maryann viewed the statistics for Realtor.com? Or gathered data from a well run MLS? Honestly, these people just don't get it. WHERE DO THEY COME FROM, and who on earth is doing the training?Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:54:34 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Riverhead_NY-690568/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Riverhead_NY-690568/We run into this daily in Southampton, East Hampton, and a select other group of villages. There's no "good" excuse- it's not the sellers refusing to participate (the North fork used that argument for years; funny how 99% of properties are in the MLSLI now- what would create such a change of mind in such a short time frame, other than the real estate agents OFFERING the service, and encouraging it)... The MLSLI isn't an "opt in, opt out" set up for BROKERS- that choice is reserved for sellers only. Those agencies not following the published rules are in non-compliance, and LIBOR sits by, twiddling their thumbs, as does HANFRA- no one wants to address it. Thank goodness for higher powers! No excuses, folks, if you're a member of either HANFRA of MLSLI- if your seller doesn't want their place public, get it off of Zillow, and enter it privately into MLSLI. Otherwise, comply.Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:44:45 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York-831/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York-831/Yeah, technically correct, MLS is in effect in the Hamptons. On a search this morning for Southampton: MLSLI Listings - 71 RealNet - - 834 THAT'S LESS THAN 10% OF LISTINGS IN SOUTHAMPTON ON MLS. And, that 10% has stayed roughly the same for 3 years. That's not use, that's abuse! Villages west of the canal and the North Fork have much higher percentages, but the eastern Hamptons have less than 10% of their listings on MLS. That is a sham and just because your with a brokerage that uses MLS, you want to promote it's use because your listings stand a better chance of being found. And telling anyone they should search on MLS for a property in the Hamptons is just more Realtor speak that consumers detest. I say "Use It or Lose It"Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:15:41 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Southampton_NY-156627/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Southampton_NY-156627/MLSLI is being used in every town and village in the Hampton's. Not every listing appears in the database,but more and more listings do appear on MLSLI. You need to visit the site more often to see what is going on. I work out if Southampton,and there are new listings added and updated daily.Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:30:37 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York-831/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York-831/Here is the info from the Long Island Board of Realtors for March 2009. http://links.mlsstratus.com/actrep/2009/0309.pdf Wouldn't it be great to have that data available for the Hamptons as well?Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:03:42 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Southold_NY-260122/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Southold_NY-260122/Why has my answer been removed from this thread?Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:09:02 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Brooklyn_NY-3498/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Brooklyn_NY-3498/Greed. Most people do not want to co-broke and only want the buy and sell end of their "Pocket Listing". Some of these listing are given at a very low commission. I don't care how good the person who is selling the property thinks they are, this hurts the home owner, especially in this market. Luke Constantino Commercial | Residential RE/MAX @ THE SLOPE Direct: (212) 300-3919 | Fax: (360) 368-0098 http://LukeConstantino.comWed, 22 Apr 2009 14:21:03 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York_NY-634415/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York_NY-634415/Greetings Right Brain, I invite you to walk into our shop in Southampton and be treated by professionals...Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:11:35 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York_NY-172416/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-New_York_NY-172416/Gail I liked your answer, but here's a suggestion from a NYC developer: represent the deal, not the seller, then you can start earning a living again. A partial reason that sellers and buyers in the Hamptons are not on the same page is that brokers seem to be assistant-bluffers, or maybe Bluffer-in-Chief. I would rather cold call myself, knock on doors, than walk into a Hamptons realty and be hustled by realtors who are second guessing my knowledge of the market. In NYC when a commercial broker calls me with something the price is usually right, when a Hampton broker calls the price is always wrong. Always.Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:17:28 -0700http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Southampton_NY-184552/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-Southampton_NY-184552/The reason here in the Hampton's that real estate agents do not use MLS is because the top offices are all connected by OREX a system that is better than MLS and gives seller's at least the same service. We can use MLS if we feel it would be of benefit to us but after many trys it proves not to have any power. When someone wants to buy in Southampton they want to work with a broker from Southampton and not one from Smithtown for an example that does not know the location but only a MLS listing.Mon, 02 Mar 2009 10:00:49 -0800http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-11743-22149/http://www.trulia.com/voices/profile/Real_Estate_Pro-11743-22149/My only guess is that come Realtors will do anything possible not to share a commission. My philosophy is that I work for the seller, not me. It is my obligation and duty to do all things possible to get as much exposure and many offers as possible, giving the seller the advantage to receive better offers on their property. Some Realtors are just working for themselves for the $.Sun, 01 Mar 2009 14:51:29 -0800