Want to Sell For Sale By Owner?

NAR backs attempts to limit your choices in how you sell your home.

Is it appropriate that the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission attempt to protect consumers’ interests by calling into question the actions of the nation’s largest trade organizations whose legal counsel has stated in an openly unapologetic letter that it’s is perfectly alright for local Realtor organizations to lobby for legislation that is anti-competitive? Clearly, for a country built on the principal of free trade and unrestricted competition, the answer is yes.

There should be no misunderstanding that the efforts of traditional elements within the real estate industry to legislate under the guise of "consumer protection" is solely aimed at protecting the status quo and their interests (chiefly their right to a full, double ended commission), not those of the consumer. If these participants are so eager to champion the rights of consumers, why not champion the right of consumer to make choices in types and levels of real estate services they receive? Why not allow free and unfettered competition from limited service and MLS entry only brokers?

The problem is that most consumers don’t take an interest in legislation effecting real estate until they go to sell their homes, which only happens on average every 3-5 years. If they knew what was going on while they weren’t watching, how might they feel about laws that restrict their ability to choose which services they can purchase and at what price. How powerless and shocked would they feel to find that the President of the largest trade group in the country (who, SURPRISE, is also a state legislator) had the temerity to introduce legislation in his own state effectively eliminating a homeowner’s ability to sell their home and save thousands of dollars using a limited service broker.

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