I love your podcasts Niles!
MLS is not and won't be rendered irrelevant, call me Pollyanna.
BUT
Damn, we need to cut out giving away the data. Also, we need to get MUCH better at accuracy. I realize that the collective IQ of agents is not high. But everywhere I go, I see omissions, misrepresentations and an overall lack of due diligence on the part of listing brokers to get the right information into their listings. Then it gets vomited out all over the internet, edited and transformed into BS for consumers to argue with us about.

It's kinda like Microsoft.

Micorsoft become dominate not because of a superior product but by their marketing strategy imposed on VARs (Value Added Resellers).

MLS and NAR have exactly the same strategy where relevance is constructed via limitations not choice of added value.

The outcome of manipulation is resentment.

The elimination of choice equals betrayal.

These reality's are why NAR really doesn't want to hear from the agent but solicits 'social approval' to justify whatever they choose to do.

Hey Barack, NAR is looking for a keynote speaker.

The Internet is more relevant than any one dynamic.....

No it's not irrelevant. Don't want to hear why you think so. Where else are we to list available homes? Go back to the old days where each broker had their own book?

MLS, for a listing agent, is a very strong source of marketing.... we are listing agents, and we fully expect and prefer that all of our inventory be sold by buyer agents.... we market to buyer agents with MLS.... that's how I see its value and that value is significant to us.

Random thoughts:  I want the MLS and I want that the data not be sold to third parties.  I want the owner of the listing to have the right to syndicate to public portals of their choice.  I agree with Candice A. Donofrio - we need smarter people with more attention to detail in the business.  We can't regulate or fix "stupid" or "lazy". 

It really depends on how well you know how to use it, most do not explore and utilize all the tools within their mls service.

Not irrelevant in many areas of the country. Maybe an evil necessity but not irrelevant yet!

I think it depends on your market and your volume Ken Jones, ASA, SCGREA, CRES . IE here in Minot there is a Broker who specializes in Farm and Ag auctions. They have no need of the MLS and have never participated. There are a couple of small Brokers with no agents under them that do not belong, they don't need to. In my case I need to present my Developers and Builders properties to as many potential buyers as possible therefore it's a must for me as much as I detest being a part of it.

YES to what Candice A. Donofrio had to say - we use MLS more than any other listing service, simply because our MLS dictates that the data be accurate. Other sites...not so much. If we would stop allowing OUR listings to be syndicated to these other sites by our own MLS's, the massive errors found online would cease...and the customers would be ours again, not sold to the highest bidder.

I have to vote with Candice A. Donofrio comments!

We agree with Candice A. Donofrio once again...A

I agree with Candice A. Donofrio that the MLS will stay relevant, since it is the authoritative place for professionals to get their data.  Accuracy though is a problem thanks to the data shares and anyone in the lower half of the state being able to put in listings without tract codes, area codes and other data that I have to put in to keep the integrity of our data.

Also, we need to stop selling this stuff off to any Tom, Dick and Harry that wants it for their site.  Agents need better control.

Good question. The only reason any of them improved was because Zillow forced them to being always one step ahead at the least. The other side of this is REALTORS® will always complain about dues so financing innovations is difficult for the suppliers.

 Let me listen to your podcast.   BBL with the answer.

Ken Jones, ASA, SCGREA, CRES Most commercial real estate brokers don't belong to an MLS. For residential real estate, the MLS is an available resource of properties for sale at one site without have to search the Internet for every site available. It is also a database and reference for sold and expired properties. I don't think the MLS is irrelevant at the present time. Most MLS's have a captive audience of agents where membership is mandaory for access to the system, lockboxes and historical data.

I just read a good article why the MLS is "the ultimate marketing network". At least for agents, it should not be irrelevant. Here is the link to the article if you are interested:  http://waves.wavgroup.com/2018/01/21/the-mls-the-ultimate-real-estate-marketing-network/

Not yet

They have those discounted brokers who will market listing for you for sellers who do not want to pay the buyer agent. No MLS.

Ditto for most commercial realtors. They do not want to pay another agent for finding a buyer. Because they can use Loopnet, Craigslist, signs etc to market their property.

I am pondering the question...

Would the sellers get the exposure without it?

I listened to your podcast, Ken Jones, ASA, SCGREA, CRES. 

When I list a property on our mls the listing is automatically distributed to Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, Realtor.com, movoto, remax, kw, open listings.com, Coldwellbanker.com, etc., etc. etc. and at no extra charge.

The typical buyers in our market have aps on their phones that will give them instant notifications of new listings and open houses that are scheduled for those listings…at no extra charge.

No! The mls system is not going away! Yes! The mls needs to continue to evolve in order to remain relevant. I am not worried that will not happen.

Ken Jones, ASA, SCGREA, CRES - not here in MA, yet.

No. This is a good blog topic for you.

Interesting! I'll check out the podcast.

Thank you.

No, I do not believe that in the least.

Nice podcast

I know they are trying to create one powerful MLS, but would rather see our local one.

I'll check it out. 

I don't think so.