not sure how it is in other states but in Illinois, you have to be a member of our MLS to put listings in ... if a FSBO wants to be in, they have to have a listing agreement signed with a real estate broker ... they are listed while keeping the right to sell on their own. FSBOs can't just get in on their own. Does your local MLS let FSBOs in without an agent?

That's very smart thinking... Let's all propose to share their FSBO sites which they have to maintain for us, if they ever make it to the MLS. Can you imagine? Maybe the'll need to hire more people, they would have to charge more and it wouldn't be such an attractive alternative. I can see it now...

This should be our come back!

Do you think the clients would have an advantage or a disadvantage with all this, Ron?

Why don't we, collectively or individually, contact some of the FSBO websites in our cities and make an offer to put a page of their listings on our website if they reciprocate and put a page of our listings on their website.

If they refuse, we have ammunition to fight them if they pressure our MLS.  We also have something to send to our senators, congresspersons, and the DOJ when they conduct hearings on the MLS access issue.

If they agree, we have additional opportunities to make money.

Cost!  Yes, that is something to think about if FSBO are allowed ti list on the MLS they should be required to pay dues just like agents are. Since we do not pay a prorated amount based on number of properties listed a FSBO should be required to pay on a quarterly basis also.  

In all honesty I do not think that FSBO should be allowed to list properties on the MLS.  We have enough problems with the information there without people with even less experience posting listings. I could agree with a seperate listing service/section for FSBO supported by their funds to maintain it and a requirement that they agree to pay comission (negotiable) to a buyer's agent.  At least that way we'd know where to look when we were short on inventory/listings!!!

Thank you Ron, that is a great subject. We have been dealing with FSBO's sticking their signs in our faces for at least 8 years. Well when our market was 3-4 Contracts deep they had a ball selling themselves, holding Open Houses with us, copying our brochures, but, however proven facts the buyers' would not buy directly again without an agent. We have paper upon paper to cover the buyers' the FSBO's did not abide by our Laws. They even had the nerve to fax us their listings

I do not believe they will ever join the MLS in NJ they would never pay the price. After all they don't want to pay the Agents, why pay the MLS. Not very many FSBO's now, they call the Agents' they will not pay the advertising for as long as it is taking to sell these homes.

In our MLS I am not aware of any fsbos being able to advertise their listings. It is for realtors in the association. Agents who are not in the association cannot even advertise on the site.

Fsbos can do their own thing and come up with their own advertising and sources. The mls is also an open invitation to share/coop with other agents which is why the MLS got started, was it not?

I have not even heard of fsbos wanting to advertise on the mls that agents do in our area, if I did, I would want to question the wisdom of those on the board.

What they do here is they use discount brokers who put them on the mls for a flat fee of $495.  Some offer to pay the buying agents.

I think this will be a growing trend and that is one reason I am a buying agent the days of the listing agent is doomed. Read bought not sold.

Ron why arnt you using you logo. now we have to see you.lol