What’s in Your MLS Future? According to two of our industry’s best, one thing is for certain: There is a big shift taking place in the industry and leading MLS organizations are thinking and acting differently. Your survival will depend in large part on the actions you and your leadership take in the next 12-18 months. As internet-based solutions continue to arm consumers with increased information, MLSs that simply maintain or protect what they have will be left behind.
We recently interviewed Russ Bergeron of MRED and Bob Bemis of ARMLS, two of our industry’s best thought-leaders. We discussed the future of MLS, the changes that have taken place in the industry and the challenges they have faced in this competitive environment. You can listen to these interviews on the new Facebook page, ‘Future of MLS’. www.futureofmls.com Hear what they are doing to prepare for the future, what keeps them up at night and how the changes in the industry are impacting their businesses. There are some similarities and some differences in how they view the future of MLS.
Both Russ and Bob see larger, standard databases that are not limited by geographic areas. The increasing popularity of websites like Zillow, Trulia, and the up and coming NAR RPR are proving that there is a need for increased information over larger market areas. Counties and state lines no longer define the market. MLSs need to work in your market areas to provide this information in order to compete and survive. REALTOR associations and MLSs have traditionally been slow to move and reactive in their approach. As Bob Bemis says, there is power in data aggregation. Look at the facts — everyone wants your data. MLSs have an opportunity to provide this data in the most efficient ways possible when they learn to work together and move past the personalities and politics that have held them back in the past when things were “more normal”. The future of your MLS depends on working together with your allies and business partners.
Listen to these interviews and much more at www.futureofmls.com. Let us know if you find it worth your time by commenting. Click on the “Like” button to stay well-informed about the future of MLS. Together, we are smarter than any one of us.
What does the Future of your MLS look like? Are you getting ready now? We hope you will hang-out with us at Future of MLS and join in the fun.
Kevin McQueen and the Focus Forward Team
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