No idea.

My opinion on project upstream is that I am curious now, what is it

Val,

I have been following the story, and I don't know one way or the other.  The software would have to be really good and work really well, so that is a variable.  It looks like a lot of brokerages are involved.  What is comfusing is that it claims not to be an MLS but what is it then?

Upstream is not an MLS or an MLS vendor, simply a way to enter data, store data, modify data and distribute data (even into one’s internal software or devices),” he said.

Managing cooperation and compensation between brokers is not a function of the project, he added. Upstream leaders assume all participants will continue to be members of MLSs.

Upstream will not have the authority to send anyone’s data anywhere or share it with anyone inside or outside Upstream, Cheatham said. Each brokerage will have a distribution dashboard where they will have to intentionally choose where to send their data and handle the licensing agreements that go with each choice.  Inman

It is also supposed to lower the cost and make agents more efficient, and it does not have a public face.  

What do you think?

Val,
Craig Cheatham is a personal friend. My suggestion is to wait until Upstream is active in the market place and then judge it. I think you may be very pleasantly surprised.

After reading Val Evans three parts it looks like they are truing to get rid of the garbage in garbage out on the internet. probably because too many agents out information in other sites and never updated the information so there became lots of misinformation(homes for sale or sold to name a couple).

As listings are the Broker's it could  work to get rid of misinformation.

The only problem I foresee is trying to make values from a national point of view when there is so many more factors from a local area to take into content.

A very good question and it will be intersting to see what happens.

Your reference to SABRE got my attention.  What "killed" a lot of the travel agencies was the ability of airlines to sell their seats directly to the public via the internet.  Having entered the industry in the latter part of the 1980s - we saw the commissions paid by the airlines dwindle, then evaporate.  Not clear how the concept of airlines eliminating the middleman in seat sales via the Internet translates into the real estate business - unless the Sellers involved have significant inventory (numbers of properties to sell).  

Val Evans Curious to see what "Project Upstream" is about.

PROJECT UPSRTEAM, on it last definition process, serves only the broker in an effort to mirror the dark side. (a.k.a. national MLS)

Project Upstream does NOTHING in providing the real estate agent or REALTOR more protection or agility to address the concerns facing informed buyers and sellers today. It has become simply more of the turf war with brokers playing BOTH sides and for which agents will pay.

I was hopeful that Project Upstream would be revolutionary, lead by visionaries, but that is not what the end product is going to be. It will look more like REALTOR.com when that organization had a relationship to it's namesake. How much are you willing to pay to be FEATURED on Project Upstream?

It is all about the BROKERS.

No relief, protection or solutions for the agent.

Don't know about project upstream.  Please share more information with us!

I learned a lot from the answers here. Thank you.

I am not familiar with it.

The concept has merit, but I don't know enough about it as yet and it's not far enough along for me to opine one way or another.

Val - I have heard of it, but I don't have enough information to determine whether it would be good for our industry or not. I would have to learn, or hear, a lot more about the benefits, features, and why we need it.

As far as SABRE goes for the airline/travel industry, I don't even believe that anyone uses that system anymore, but I could be wrong.

I have never heard of "Project Upstream" either what is it?

I am not familiar with "Project Upstream", so I don't have an opinion.

I am not aware of that project, I think I'll do some research on it.

Val, this is great information on "Project Upstream" to share.

I'll admit I just don't know. I'll be interested in the answers.