New laws make the home listing process more confusing
Minimum service laws have now been passed in over a dozen states across the nation in efforts to slow the evolution of flat fee MLS companies and limited service providers. Even though these minimum service requirements vary from state to state, the result is the same, leaving consumers confused and curious. Laws are requiring listing brokers to disclose which services will and will not be provided, consumers to waive services unwanted, or mandating agents perform specific services. The shameful reality is "we all know the real issue is protecting…the full service agencies from these so called ‘limited service’ providers," as stated by Brian Jones of Century 21. These laws are detrimental to the end user, and not protective of consumers in the least bit - the waters are only muddied with increased paperwork and industry jargon. These dubious laws have gotten the attention of the Department of Justice who is working to determine what effect this will have on the competitive nature of the industry and overall consumer choice. The bottom line is consumers need to be heard!
See Also
- Minimum-service laws worsen real problem
Perspective: Real estate needs more clarity, less complexity
