MLS losing value to alternative websites

As Move.com unveils Mike Long, CEO of Move Inc., wants to take back what he believes companies like Google, MSN, and AOL among others have taken from the Realtor community. His misguided frustrations are lashed at third party websites that have simply created a valuable and viable marketing alternative to the 5-6 percent it would normally take a home seller to get into the MLS through a full service realtor. It seems to me Long has missed the point. Instead of updating and providing improvements to the structure of the MLS, he is mad there is competition, citing that Google Base will become an unrestrictive, uncontrolled platform for "for sale by owners" with no realtor influence. As flat fee MLS providers have entered the real estate industry and gained increasing market share it has been revealed that the MLS, from a listing standpoint is no more than a classified ad focused primarily to real estate agents. And, now that MLS listings are being displayed throughout the internet either by local brokerages or by third party websites like Yahoo! Real Estate, individual listings are getting enhanced and increased marketing exposure. At this point low cost, alternative models seem to be gaining in market share and popularity as the public perception of the realtor community and their services is changing. It is not a conspiracy to "disintermediate Realtors" or "carve a big chunk out of Realtor commissions" as Long states, it is an alternative that allows sellers to assume a greater control over their transaction in a cost effective way. It is about maximizing exposure without sacrificing equity.  

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