What has taken the REALTOR(R) industry so long to realize that the seller-consumer wants their properties exposed to as many potential buyers as possible and the buyer-consumer wants to be able to see as many properties as meet their needs? Most agents get it and want it. And frankly, most of the Arizona Associations are working to move towards a statewide data-sharing MLS. Yeah!!
First let me say that in this day and age, with open source everywhere, the REALTOR(R) entities continue to hold on to propriatary concepts with a gazillion passwords, penalties, and p-oed agents who cannot use their iPhone as a device to open the lockbox (“they” tell us it will be available the end of August) or those who belong to 2 Associations and have to enter 2 separate strings of numbers by calling in 2 times to do a manual lockbox key update with Supra. G-r-r-r-r-r-r-!
And let’s talk forms! We use ZipForms in AZ. Before the recent upgrades to ZipForm it was a dismal experience. Now it’s a great system. So let’s talk about what has come with the connection with ZipForms… copyright issues: www.aaronline.com I called to find out what the cost for the license would be for my Company (wanted to brand our company as we used to be able to do) and was told it would cost $2,500 per form… guess I won’t go there. 51 transaction forms (not including listing forms) x $2,500… do the math.
Back to the good news: a state-wide data-sharing entity!! It’s a start. REALTORS(R) will still have to ask the Association for cooperation and compensation on the listing, but frankly, in this market, most licensees want to cooperate and will compensate anyone who has a ready and willing buyer. 
It’s a start.
Kathy Howe, owner/administrator
