[EFS Webmaster]

OMG do you ever sleep!?

This looks like a great start. Nice to see the start of a grass roots campaign with a lot of passion behind it!

[Ryan Ward]

Do you guys think it would be too much to require that signators are required to enter their license number or NAR id? I think it would be important to require this field for the validity and as a cross reference for verification. I cannot get to this until at least Monday.

It could make it more difficult to obtain signatures, but, they would be more easily verified if it actually gets off the ground...

[jessiesc]

Originally Posted by Ryan Ward

Do you guys think it would be too much to require that signators are required to enter their license number or NAR id? I think it would be important to require this field for the validity and as a cross reference for verification. I cannot get to this until at least Monday.

It could make it more difficult to obtain signatures, but, they would be more easily verified if it actually gets off the ground...

IMO, without this information the petition has no validity or authority.

A petition must display it's authority by recognizing the members who feel strongly against a given situation.

Why would NAR take a petition seriously by a group of people who have not identified themselves as members? There is no substantiating background that says "We are members and we disagree".

IMO, a petition filled with unqualified signatures would get as far as the "round file" in focusing attention on this subject.

[svrpaul]

Wow! I get sidetracked for a couple of days and look at everything that is done!

Just my thoughts, but from what I remember the whole point of the REALTOR Code of Ethics was "The Golden Rule" and protecting the best interests of the consumer.

I might be missing something but I certainly do not see how the latest amendments Protect the Consumer and if anything, could hurt the consumer.

How does the new amendment benefit the consumer? Can NAR support their actions or are there self motivated interests here?

I certainly can't explain how implementing rules that can only be enforced against members with huge fines can benefit the consumer and give non REALTORS an edge and provide them with an even better means of charging REALTORS click fees, etc..

I've read those amendments over and over and correct me if I am wrong... REALTORS can't use the term Search the MLS on their own websites but there is nothing in there about REALTORS paying third party services to list their sites on a service that advertises this exact same term?

Am I missing something? Honestly, it really does not effect me but it just seems a little goofy.

[Ryan Ward]

Nope. I trhink you read it correctly. i'm working on adding the NAR ID, but, I have an error code. Gotta go sell some real estate, but, I'll get it back up as soon as possible...

[svrpaul]

Now -- this is interesting. The "Consultant" that gave the advice as quoted at http://www.realtor.org/RMODaily.nsf/...4?OpenDocument

Ann Bailey, a former MLS executive and co-founder of the San Clemente, Calif., consulting company, Pranix, told forum participants at the time that if they didn’t start educating members to stop using “MLS” as a synonym for “listings display,” MLS would cease to have meaning as a venue for broker cooperation.

So, what is Pranix? I found this PR release --> pranix.com/pranixlaunch.html

Bailey, a long-term visionary in the real estate industry, brings a depth of industry knowledge, strong analytical skills, a broad educational background and an ability to work in the complex environment of organized real estate and related areas. Prior to forming Pranix, Bailey was a principal of The Resource Connection, and has held executive positions at Realtor.com, PRC (now Interealty), and McGraw Hill.

She certainly has some connections.

[svrpaul]

I knew that I had seen the name Pranix, Inc before:

This is from the Move, Inc. proxy statment filed 4/30/2007: http://sec.edgar-online.com/2007/04/...8/Section4.asp

Errol G. Samuelson has served as one of our executive vice presidents and
president of REALTOR.com® since February 2007. Since August 2003, Mr. Samuelson
has served as senior vice president of operations of Top Producer and then as
president of Top Producer. From January 2002 to August 2003, Mr. Samuelson was
an independent consultant and co-founder/principal of the consulting firm
Pranix, Inc. From January 2001 to December 2001, Mr. Samuelson also served as
our director of international marketing and vice president of product strategy.

[svrpaul]

So, let me get this straight. If I owned a site like this ----> homeinsight.com/home-value-report.asp ---- with a Title "MLS Home Market Check" and a statement such as this ---> "By completing this brief form,
gain access to Multiple Listing
Service (MLS) data" - would that be a violation of the new amendments?

But it's ok to be on the receiving end and to pay a fee to capture these leads?

[Ryan Ward]

Svr,

I believe that you have this figured out.

And I have the plugin figured out.

I have now added a form field where you must enter your NAR number. I cannot say that it will be accurate as I do not have any more time to learn additional code to proof it, but, it is there and you have to enter something or it won't let you sign it. I have cleared the tables, and will now try to insert myself...Ha! It works.

O.K. we now have a (I think) workable solution for a petition.

If someone has time to get the petition written, email it to me or if REW will allow, post it here and we will get it written in a clean and concise way (Up to you REW). I'm just glad this forum is here to make this happen.

We are almost there...

[Benjamin Dona]

Ryan,

Great job! In reviewing your changes, I think it will now hold up to any validity challenges. Just remember to save the data somewhere safe for the record and so we can prove nothing has been altered.

I've been playing with some petition text and will PM you when I have something a little more coherent.

We definitely have to have a concise "Title" and I would love to hear some feedback from others what they think would be appropriate.

So, guys and gals, please post some suggestions here!!!!!!


@SVRPaul

Ain't it amazing what with a little bit of research you can find out about who is leading who here with regards to these changes.