As a current or past customer or client of a real estate brokerage which provided online access to homes listed in the local multiple listing service (MLS), I found the ability to access all homes and receive email updates of new properties to be an invaluable, timesaving convenience.
I understand that brokers\' ability to continue providing consumers with online access to all local real estate listings is threatened by policy changes proposed by the National Association of REALTORS which would have
serious negative implications for consumers.
1. As a homebuyer, changes that would allow brokers to withhold some or all of their listings by \"opting out\" would undermine my ability to access all listings.
2. Changes that would permit selective sharing with some brokers, but not others, would potentially discriminate against my preferred broker and limit competition.
3. As a home seller, these attempts to restrict distribution of listings would undermine the ability to get the widest exposure and highest resale price for my home.
In summary, the proposed changes are clearly anti-consumer and anti-competitive. Consequently, I urge the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) to enable their members to act in the best interest of their customers and clients by preserving their ability to distribute and access the entire inventory of MLS listings online. I urge the NAR to reject the proposed changes at their annual convention in Washington, DC, May 15 to 17, 2003.
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Please forward this petition to anyone you know who has recently bought or sold a home, is currently buying or selling a home, or hopes to do so in the future. The ability for consumers to distribute and access real estate listings online is at stake.