Michael Wurzer Here’s another thought from the Inman Connect conference. This morning, I first heard several people on stage bemoaning the existence of 800 MLSs. Next I heard a guy from Meetup say he thought Realtors should get together locally — you know, meetup. What a crazy idea! That made me think of a post I wrote quite awhile ago that seems quite relevant today. Here’s the part I love the most, my version of the history of MLS:
Step back and consider the history and future of the MLS through the eyes of Joe and his progeny:
A long, long time ago, two real estate guys are sitting in a coffee shop:
“Hey, Joe, I hear the Smith place is up for sale.”
“Yep, know anyone who might be interested?”
“Maybe.”
“I’ve been trying to get that place sold for awhile. If you bring me a buyer, I’ll split my commission with you.”
“Deal.”
A week later, back at the coffee shop:
“Joe, this is Mary from our office, she’s got a few listings, too.”
“Great, I brought Ann, who’s been working with lots of buyers lately.”
A month later, still at the coffee shop, but a much bigger table:
Mary says, “I couldn’t sleep last night so I wrote down all of our listings on these recipe cards and organized them in this shoe box. Pretty cool, huh?”
“Awesome, can I copy those?”
“Sure, if I can copy yours.”
“No problem.”
A few years later, no longer at the coffee shop, because there isn’t a table big enough for all the people participating:
“Hey, I ran into Peter at the Print Shop the other day, and he saw my shoe box and said he could print them up in a book for us if we want.”
“That sounds great!”
And several years later, at a meeting of the Board of REALTORS:
“Joe, have you seen these new computers some of the folks are using?”
“Yeah, those are pretty handy. But man, who’s in charge of that anyway? I hardly know anyone involved in this any more.”
Many years later, on a Usenet news group for real estate, Joe’s son types:
“I’m working on a web site to show all the listings in the MLS system.”
“You’re what? Are you sure you can do that? Will the MLS allow it?”
“Hey, I’m doing it. I don’t care about those idiots at the MLS; they’re all old school, just trying to protect their turf!”
A decade later, Joe’s grandson, Joe III, posts on his Facebook wall:
“Joe III is sick of the stoopid rules of the national MLS and so has created a Real Estate Sharing Group for like-minded people.”
A few weeks later:
“Joe III is holding a meetup at Starbucks for RESG, see you there!”
At Starbucks:
“Hey, Joe, I hear the Smith place is for sale . . . “