I don’t know who is crazier, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) for asking me to serve on the Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee, or me for accepting their offer…
Someone out there is reading this and thinking, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
At least that’s what I initially thought. But it’s true. Last week I got a call from Steve Brown, NAR Vice President & Liaison to Committees, asking me if I’d be willing to serve the remainder of the year on the national MLS Policy Committee. Apparently my rather outspoken opinion on various blogs and at the NAR’s Midyear Legislative Conference in Washington spurred someone within the NAR to suggest putting me on the committee, and presumably the “work group” being formed to address IDX policy.
Now I will be the first to admit that I’ve never been what anyone would call a “NAR Poster Boy”. To be frank, sometimes the NAR drives me insane. It’s often cited as the largest trade organization in the country and as such is often mired in politics and bureaucracy.
I’m not a big fan of politics and bureaucracy. Had enough of that over a couple of decades spent in Corporate America.
But whether you love them or hate them, the NAR helps set policy and direction and greatly influences how real estate agents and brokers can run their business. And that is really important to me, politics and bureaucracy be damned.
This latest flap from MIBOR ruling that the indexing of listings by search engines violates policy is a big deal. The potential ramifications are enormous. So rather than just sit back and bitch and moan about it, I’m going to do whatever I can to get the policy clarified. My stance is clear – search engine indexing is not evil, it’s good for agents and brokers and more importantly real estate consumers.
I do have to give credit to the NAR for offering up a spot on the MLS Committee. It says they are at least willing to try to get things right, and this has not always been the case. I thank them for the opportunity to represent my fellow like-minded agents and brokers.
I’m just one guy on a committee of one hundred, and one realtor out of a million plus. I don’t have any grand visions of fundamentally changing the NAR. Yet. Let’s take some baby steps and see if we can get silly policies clarified first. As Todd Carpenter, the NAR’s Social Media Manager, once said, “the way to eat an elephant is one bite at time”.
And I’m hungry.
—–
Have no idea what the “latest flap from MIBOR” is? Read these posts and comments:
Did Google Scrape My Website? You Be The Judge. Rules Threaten Realtors & IDX Providers. (the seminal post)
NAR Responds in DC- The MLS Committee to recommend Google policy change
MIBOR Blocks Change, NAR Committee Agrees- Politics Beats Agents In DC
Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Online Home Search Technology Heading Back to the Ice Age if NAR / MIBOR Ruling Stands
Calling @crtweet for clarification, please!
NAR and MIBOR at odds with reality of what Google is
Real Estate’s Deep Dark Secret: NAR (and Many Brokers) Don’t Want You the Public to See the Data
Newspapers and Realtors
NAR’s IDX Rule Changes Need More Study
Cliff Niersbach NAR response to Google spidering listings in Mibor
MIBOR and NAR need an internet education
Lots of links on Google is not a scraper dot com
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Jay,
Great to see we will have great representation up there, I know you will make a difference. Thanks for doing this.
Congrats to you, Jay. More importantly, congrats to NAR for getting at least this one right. If they are to set policy, then they need people like you providing input.
Please be sure to stay all the way to the board meeting this time. (grin). I’m just sayin!
And thanks for the ping.
Eric
**Eric Blackwell´s last blog post..The Family Business grows…
Nice to have someone on the inside as it were.
Jay – A 100 thank yous for accepting NAR’s invitation! I know you will make a difference, even if “one bite at a time”. You’re a natural in front of people and no REALTOR could ask for better representation.
Thanks for carrying the torch I set ablaze!
The latest on MIBOR is, they have not decided what to do – I think they would prefer to “shut me up”. My broker and I met with them last week and their proposal was to have a virtual vote by the MLS (BLC) Committee to consider an opt in/out for brokers to index their listings. If agreed to, they would take it to the BOD here in June.
They will not overturn their ruling, because the ramifications of having the same thing happen on a different issue.
Again – thank you!
**Paula Henry´s last blog post..Certified Deed RipOff
Hey I’m on my regional MLS committee – they do serve some pretty decent lunches at the meetings
This is a positive step forward for NAR. Guess next goal would be to become committee chair…
**Carolyn´s last blog post..Real Estate Conferences
Baby steps Carolyn! Committee Chair… lets see if I last through the end of the year first!
I vote for Jay as Emperor of Real Estate!
Jay,
So glad to hear it. Thanks for stepping up.
Participating in the conversation and helping to shine a light on an issue(s) is great, truly. Taking it to the next level and giving up your time to work from the inside-out is awesome.
Good job!
**Evan Fuchs´s last blog post..Colorado River Leadership Program Wrap Up
Jay –
Good luck to you. As you know, it’s a lot of work and the politics are thick, but the intentions are generally good.
Besides, you’ll be working with some really smart people.
**Jim Duncan´s last blog post..Charlottesville is Number Four on another List
Prolly one of the smartest things the NAR ever did.
Yelling across a chasm is futile; a smart conversation is not.
The NAR just got better.
Hooray!!! I think you are just what the group needs. As a former MLS exec (now working for a software vendor) I am happy to see Real World people in there helping make decisions. I have never been one for following rules or staying inside crazy boundries, I think a lot of real estate folks blindly do what they are told or worse…what they’ve been doing. It’s nice to see a rebel in there shaking things up, putting on a new spin!
Good luck! From the rest of the troublemakers out there…go get ‘em, tiger!!
I’ve only known you for about a year now Jay but I can honestly say I can’t think of a better person to put on the Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee! You are one smart cookie and have the type of integrity that others only wish they had. NAR has made an excellent addition and maybe they are finally getting the fact that the inmates run the asylum, not the other way around!
D
Jay, I’m glad to see someone from AZ, someone from the rank and file, and someone who doesn’t always agree with the established order.
I don’t know whether to sympathize or congratulate you, so I’ll settle for a hearty GOOD LUCK!
**Jim Little´s last blog post..Thank You Sfc. Gooding
Congratulations Jay! I don’t know who is smarter them for choosing you or you for accepting but I do know that by them looking for qualified real world individuals such as yourself is a move in a righteous direction considering who they have tapped in the past. I am sure that you will make a difference and I hope that you will be the springboard for others like yourself so the change will happen from the inside out which will better the NAR and hopefully that will trickle down to all realtors and the communities that they serve. Best of luck to you!
Good God in heaven. The inmates will soon be running the asylum!
Seriously though – thanks for stepping up to the plate, Jay – I’m sure Paula and the rest of us will finally have some common sense – uh, maybe some UNcommon sense as our reps!
You start coming across as a Stepford Husband in any posts, we’re pulling the plug….
**Joe´s last blog post..Tax Credit for Georgia Homebuyers
“You start coming across as a Stepford Husband in any posts, we’re pulling the plug…”
Trust me Joe, that won’t be happening.
Congratulations on that opportunity. Maybe you can bring some sense to the mess. I completely agree with your opinion and I hope that you can ruffle some feathers and get some things changed for the better. Like you say, for the consumers.
**Portland Real Estate´s last blog post..Gabriel Park in SW Portland
Jay,
1. Read Kris Bergs post on Inman today.
2. My very best wishes and thoughts to you. If you can stay on the committee for awhile, you can impact the decision process.
3. Try not to get frustrated when you discover some committee members still use a printed MLS book.
4. Try to determine the process of appointment and then pull more forward thinking people into the committee. There is strength in numbers, and change can happen with enough forward thinking people involved.
**Larry McGee´s last blog post..Requeim for a Newspaper
Jay, I don’t know. Being among elephants, dinosaurs and ostriches with their heads in the sand, I simply hope this isn’t just a token gesture and that you will be able to make a positive impact and an important difference.
**howard´s last blog post..Century 21 Properties Plus files for bankruptcy protection
Congratulations Jay! I think the NAR leadership is becoming more forward thinking every day and realizes that they need members exactly like you serving on key committees. You understand the challenges of listing and selling in today’s market and the assistance technology and social networking can provide both in your business and day to day life. I am very proud to have you represent the Phoenix area at the NAR level!
Just remember your real job that pays the bills… writing this groovy blog!
**Doug Francis´s last blog post..The “net price” of a real estate sale
You folks are all far too kind. Thanks for the congrats and well wishes.
I don’t know how much, if any, difference one person can make. But it’s a start…
“One person can make a difference and every person should try.”
John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Thanks for stepping up, Jay!
**Dru Bloomfield´s last blog post..Thursday Thoughts – Living with Autism
Jay,
When the fur was flyin’ several weeks back, you were cool, solid and rational when others were not. Your appointment and acceptance is a good thing for all! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if through your efforts we learned that there are really good heads at work for REALTOR(R)s. It would be even better if the powers within NAR learned the knack of transparency from you. Best of success.
I confess that I passed by the 24 comments ahead of mine. Didn’t want to be seen as a copycat, “good one!” kind of girl. Having said that, Good One!
We are all lucky to have you representing our voices and our profession. Kuddos to both NAR and you! Now go and make all of us Realtors (little R) proud, and thank you.
**Kris Berg´s last blog post..Where did all of the Scripps Ranch active listings go? Oh, and something about Case-Shiller.
Jay, I’m wit’cha “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Thanks for representin’
**Kevin Curtis´s last blog post..Twitter and Real Estate
An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.
~ Friedrich Engels
Beyond words, you are indeed a man of action.
I wish you luck because success is in doing your best, which is what you always do.
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Fabulous points my friend. I agree completely that there was a disconnect between the MLS Committee’s desire for change and the BOD. I don’t know if it was a communication thing, “procedural technicalities”, or what. But obviously the “link” between the MLS Committee, the Executive Committee, and the BOD needs to be made.
Would LOVE to sit beside you in the “BITS” forum…
Daniel,
You’re spot on.
As a new NAR director, the DC meeting was my first. I attended the MLS Committee meeting and thought it went great. When the motion came up at the BOD meeting to send it back to committee, I didn’t think much of it. Suddenly the motion passed without discussion. My bad.
Call it politics or whatever, but had I and others been more prepared/united it could have gone another way. Yeah, I guess it is politics.
**Evan Fuchs´s last blog post..Colorado River Leadership Program Wrap Up
Congratulations! Its great that you are taking action and taking steps to change things even if its just baby steps. I wish you the best of luck!
Celina Home Builder
“the way to eat an elephant is one bite at time”
Good luck on this one Jay. Oh, don’t forget to shoot the elephant first!
**Colleen´s last blog post..Highly Desirable Canyon Lakes in Kennewick Washington
Dude, you’ve arrived.
Go read the headline on Inman, you NAR critic, you! Used to be they sang songs about famous warriors – now you’re a bulletin on high-speed real estate sites instead.
Navy Chief, Navy Pride
**Joe´s last blog post..Tax Credit for Georgia Homebuyers
Joe – thanks so much for that very kind comment on the Inman article (here if anyone is interested. It will slip behind Inman’s pay-only wall tonight).
I don’t mind being called a critic (I’ve been called worse). But you’re right. It’s not the people or the idea of the NAR that drives me bonkers, it’s some of the policies.
Somehow I’d feel better knowing you’re on the board. At least I’ll know there’s at least one normal person involved. Thanks for taking up the challenge!
Prescott Homes
Jay, a belated congratulations. I highly admire your willingness to share your thoughts, opinions and otherwise put yourself out there.
Anyone can be a “critic” but without critical thinking, positive, progressive change is a lot more difficult to come across. The question is – are you (generic “you”) willing to take your criticism and do something with it? And allow me to be presumptuous – you are.
Kudos to you and NAR. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes out of this collaboration.
Best,
An
**An Bui, DocuSign Social Media´s last blog post..The Value of Your “Signature” at the Checkout Counter…
There is a new sheriff in town. You have my proxy. I had signed up with Diverse Solutions when I got this news. I contacted the CEO of the Oklahoma City Board, and talked to MLS Board members. We had these types of people on our Boards, but thankfully dedicated Realtors here organized write in campaigns to get forward thinking people in places of decision making. This won’t happen here.
**Joe Pryor´s last blog post..New short sale opportunity in Yukon, Oklahoma
The NAR guys know that you can be a critic (at least they should), so inviting you to the table is a brave thing to do — at least, that’s how I view it.
I think you have a great opportunity to *educate* them on why this is an important issue. One comment (here or somewhere else) suggested that 90% of us are oblivious to this issue. I think this the number is more like 98%. Being an optimist, I believe they will take the correct action once they truly understand the issue. Go get ‘em!
**Bruce Lemieux´s last blog post..Paradise in your own back yard
“Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer” – Sun-Tzu (or Michael Corleone, whichever you prefer!)
Congrats Jay, a smart move by NAR to offer you this position, I know you’ll do right by us little people and do a great job. I just hope that those little bites of elephant don’t give you indigestion…
Good luck, my friend!
**The Harriman Team´s last blog post..New Listing: 28 Levesque Road, Middlefield CT
Congrats Jay -
Jay Thompson selected to serve on NAR MLS Committee {seesmic_video:{”url_thumbnail”:{”value”:”http://t.seesmic.com/thumbnail/WzoHzj6H8w_th1.jpg”}”title”:{”value”:”Jay Thompson selected to serve on NAR MLS Committee ”}”videoUri”:{”value”:”http://www.seesmic.com/video/psdwIFUWpF”}}}
**Matt Stigliano´s last blog post..More Answers To Your First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Questions.
Strict NAR policy is what is need to protect the economy and the housing market
1 dollar ebooks
Congratulations to us! … For having you representing us on the Committee. Thanks for taking this on, and please know you have MUCH support from the masses.
**Margaret Woda´s last blog post..Crofton Area Residents Tested on Local Knowledge
Eat up! It’s not a bad idea to buck politics, but it’s much better to be in a position to influence policy-making from the inside. My congratulations to the NRA, sounds to me like someone is looking for some fresh insight and raw information. Congratulations!
Congratulations to NAR for taking a step in the right direction. Bringing you on board shows a true intention to at least consider moving forward.
Thanks for taking the time and effort to serve.
**Brett Tousley | Puyallup Real Estate´s last blog post..Puyallup Real Estate | Market Update
Congratulations Jay, NAR got it right this time.
**Tina´s last blog post..1518 Mossvale Court Kennesaw, Georgia 30152
Congrats on the appointment! You will surely bring a great deal of knowledge and direction to the committee. It’s good of you to accept the invitation.
Its good to see you are now on the committee. Your insight will develop help the committee and all of us realtors. Its also a good sign that NAR realized they should add some people like yourself to the group. Perhaps there is hope after all
**Jill´s last blog post..Home Sales increase from February, but down from March 2008
Good luck. It’s a critical time in the industry with the changes in technology and the obvious down draft in the market.
**Tim´s last blog post..Is Mortgage Refinancing for You?
Great Job Jay! I think you’re a great voice for Realtors and the Real Estate Community! You’ll do a terrific job I am sure! Congrats!
Congrats on getting, I know you will do your best to make sure your voice is heard and represents all of us pro-search engine indexing agents out there! Thanks for trying to make a difference!
**MaryAnn Knell-Peoria Real Estate´s last blog post..Help for Peoria’s Homeowners
Lord help the NAR now that you are a part of it!! Haha, they will never have a moments rest! I’m glad to see they did invite you to join; you are such a strong and loud voice in our community, it really only makes sense that you lend your advice to them. Keep us posted!
Congrats Jay,
I am trying to do my part with our local MLS, GSMLS, here is the responce I have gotten so far. (We only appoint new board members when someone decides to step down. The last time that happened was over 10 years ago.)
I have no idea who any of the people on our MLS commity are, but that statment got me wondering just how in-touch these board members are???? How uncomfortable would the above statment make you?
It would make me very uncomfortable.
I thought the only people with lifetime appointments were Supreme Court Justices…
Jay – I had the same conversation with a past Board member last week. I asked how do you unseat a board member; answer – you don’t. You can, but you can’t. It’s a progression from secretary elect to secretary to president elect to president. The nominating Committee chooses the next directors. The Nominating Committee includes the retiring directors, the previous past president, the immediate past president, and the most recent REAL moderator.
I did hear they usurped the efforts of a president-elect a few years ago because *SHE* was not a yes woman. Doesn’t leave much room for me, I suppose.
**Paula Henry´s last blog post..Search Indianapolis Homes by Zip Code
Jay Congratulations. But a larger congratulations is due the NAR for appointing you. But a committee of 100, that is absurd!
Actually I am going to contradict myself. It is ridiculous they are appointing you to the committee. The fact that they carried this issue over from the original meeting you attended speaks very poorly of the NAR. That this issue isn’t obvious to them scares me.
You are a smart guy and don’t need my advice but if I was on the committee the two points I would make would be.
1) This is simply an extension of the MLS. Are agents saying that the concept of the MLS and leveraging yourself through hundreds or thousands of other agents is bad?
2) Or are they saying that they want to ignore their fiduciary responsibility to do as much as they can to sell the property. Agents that oppose this are in essence saying they want to deliberately limit FREE marketing of their clients property in order to earn double commission. Boy that sure sounds like breaking your fiduciary responsibility to me.
Glad you are on the committee. Do good work. Thanks Jay.
**Ned´s last blog post..Help! My Home is going to tax sale.
“But a committee of 100, that is absurd!”
In my life in Corporate America, I saw “committees” of 6 or 8 people that were dysfunctional. I can’t imagine the disfunctionality (is that a word?) that a 100 member committee could present.
If you think a committee of 100 is absurd, how about a Board of Directors of 800+? That’s what I hear the NAR BoD consists of…
Thanks for the advice. I’ll take all I can get, and yours is sound.
Hi Jay, great to have you aboard on this matter. A good meeting of technology understanding along with practical experience as a broker. I am sure you will add some of the necessary understanding to make matter easier for people to see the benefits of technology.
I am very proud to have you there… thank you… I want to know why more of these folks have not signed the petition…. come on guys – it could be our future at risk here.
**Thesa Chambers´s last blog post..USDA Loan – 100% Financing is Possible
I feel like I’ve been under a rock for the last 2 weeks – this is a huge step in the right direction!! not that it’s easy, but glad they are making an attempt to hear our voice …..and no voice is better than our own JAY!! (big hug from Miami- and thanks for representing)
**Ines´s last blog post..Mojito Review – Carpaccio at Bal Harbour Shops
Jay – adding my voice to the chorus of Congrats!
We are rural and just organized a board: terms -2 years; voting – every brokerage has 1 vote to decide board members; either broker or agent can be nominated to be on the board but only one from a brokerage.
Voting was 2 weeks ago. 6 member board consists of 5 brokers and 1 agent. Hopefully no one suffers a control power surge
**Heather Rankin´s last blog post..Lake Powell Swap Meet at The Cowboy In – Photos