I believe one of the largest private equity investment firm owns Realogy which happens to own many of today's real estate companies. Realogy is a fine organization.

I fail to see the difference between a large equity firm owning a lot of existing companies and those taking stock in innovations.

A year ago The Tribune Co. acquired http://www.Forsalebyowner.com for an undisclosed figure. Considering the domain name alone was sold for $832,000 ( a year earlier ) the total price must have been considerably higher.

I think we can find fault inside any organization. The advantage with a free market is that over-time the good business models last.

Based on the responses it doesn't appear there is much support for such a group. Looking at the proposal, responses and the rebuttal to the responses I must say that I am less than convinced of the idea myself.

Here's my view:

The responses to this proposal have been made by many who are used to the way things operate and perceive everything as being fine right now. I've tried to layout what is happening and some understand and some don't... which is fine.

Not until it affects you or hits you square between the eyes does action take place - kind of like the subprime thing going on now. A good analogy for what is occuring in the industry (IMHO) would be a fishing trauler casting a wide net and slowly reeling in the catch... and once the fish get to the surface and hit the air they slowly die... doesn't matter if you are a whale or a guppie. That is what is happening to a great extent in this industry... and many don't see it. "Our system is unbreakable" they say... the "NAR" will protect us they say... "we own the listing data" they say... but here's the thing: It is not about what agents and brokers want - it's what consumers want.. and they could care less about agents and brokers feelings. The very companies that serve you want to put you out of business because they can still serve the consumer who ultimately is the end customer.

I think the time is right for something new... as some others do, and they have joined the roundtable. More are welcome to.
I think it is beneficial to the profession to have more then one entity representing it's interests... especially when the established trade group is under attack.

What's funny is that people who operate outside the industry see what's happening while those immeresed in it on a daily business don't.

One last point for consideration: if the MLS opens up to anyone... where will that leave your business. Don't argue that it can't happen... just consider where your business will be.

one of hte many reasons why forsalebyowner.com does not work is that there is not an agent there with a license on the line responsible for keeping thier properties updated. i have used sites like that for leads in the past and the number of homes listed with an agent or not for sale anymore and that does them no good. lets face it. they have made tehir money before the sale so they have no vested interest in actually selling the homes.

Broker, you've made some interesting points that remind me of a recent training I held. A lot of agents in the industry have years of experience to show but that is exactly the problem. TOO MUCH EXPERIENCE with inefficiency creates disonance. However, there is already plenty of new business models on the market. Each is backed by equity investors of its own. Additionally, each new business model defines innovation and change differently. The free market is testing them as we speak. Current marketplace, tight lending and slow sales will force the industry to change. Which "change" will the marketplace accept?

Estatereal, forsalebyowner.com does in fact hold a real estate license in California. That subsidiary refers customers to flat fee brokers throughout the U.S.

You are correct that virtually every fsbo site contains outdated listings. A lack of inventory couples with outdated listings produce confusion.

o.k. -- based on information gathered through the broker roundtable, the structure and format for a new organization has been translated into a test website for descriptive purposes.

Looking for a few agency owners to provide their feedback on what there is so far. I will send info via private message to those interested. tks.