Realtor Conflict of Interest

Just about every real estate sales entity utilizes the Multiple Listing Service (MLS): Realtors, agents, Internet sites, even their so-called competitors such as Help U Sell or Assist 2 Sell, will help sellers get on the MLS system. But are they doing sellers any favors?

Through the MLS, the buyer's Realtors and therefore the buyers have access to what should be treated as the seller's privileged information. The MLS system does not differentiate between seller's interest and buyer's interests. MLS reports to all agents in the same way. There is no division or protection of privileged information. Unfortunately, it is only the sellers who need to be protected and this is just not done. There is very little information about the buyers that could be statistically shared, which could be considered sensitive. Interestingly enough, the co-mingling of this information can actually hurt sellers.

Let me prove this accusation with just 3 words.

Days on Market?

Any buyer's agent who is a Realtor and a member of MLS can simply look up, through the MLS system, the complete history of any property. With a stroke of a key, they can inform a potential buyer how long a property has been for sale known as DAYS ON MARKET. The Multiple Listing Service shows exactly how many days the property has been for sale on the market. How is this in the seller's best interest?

It is not but this information is shared by all!

Most sharp buyers and their agents are going to judge your price based on how long your property has been for sale. They will attempt to negotiate very hard with a seller who has had their property on the market for any length of time. In fact, the more days a property has been on the market the less money they will usually offer. Make no mistake about this one, almost all buyers will ask this question and they always get an answer. The sad or frustrating part of this equation is that your listing Realtor, the very person responsible for protecting you, is also the very entity providing this critical information to the buyers through the Multiple Listing Service with the blessing of the National Association or Realtors. It is being used against you, the seller and your Realtor and your agent's listing service provide this privileged information to your money's enemy?

Many aspects of the Multiple Listing Service are tools that favors and are in the best interest of the buyers and their Realtors.

The statistic days on market is a great tool for the sellers but should not be shared with the buyers to the detriment of the seller's interest.

In my new book LISTING REALTORS ARE OBSOLETE. USE THE INTERNET TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY AND SAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN COMMISSIONS I explain many of the changes and conflicts of interests that take place and have a negative impact on the sellers of real estate and how so many Realtors are actually counterproductive and harmful to the Seller's cause.

I can show you how to work directly with buyers and cooperate with the type of Realtors that are entirely worthwhile, the buyer's agents. My 12 PRINCIPLES FOR SUCCESSFUL ONLINE PROPERTY SELLING is available online for free at http://www.AskJamesJoseph.com