[Ryan Ward]

Is this not what we do?

Post all homes for sale using the local MLS data feed in what we call IDX and broker reciprocity.

[jessiesc]

I signed it

In case no one knows where the site is: www.freethemls.com

[Ryan Ward]

Later today I will write a blog post on AR and REW to try to get the ball rolling on this...I inserted link code at the top of the page for anyone who wants to link to it and I hope we can truly begin to effect some change here.

This is NOT something we can let happen.

[Jason Painter]

Hey guys, I just signed the petition after taking the time to look up my NRDS number. It may be best to show a link on how to retrieve this number for people like me who don't know it. Or maybe just have people display their regular state sales associate license number. (or maybe either one) I think we need to make the petition easy to sign or else people will get lazy and not sign it. Just a thought.

[jessiesc]

Ryan,

Is the nrds id required?

My concern is this:

Having only NAR agents sign this (while I agree in concept) may be excluding some who also have a vested interest in having this change.

If I'm not mistaken, it is up to the boards to enforce is. That means that even non-members could potentially be affected as well as site developers and the like.

Thoughts?

[Ryan Ward]

Jason,

I added a link to get the number. This was why I didn't want to add it as a required field.

Jessie,

I went back and forth on this. My thoughts were that since this is a NAR code of ethics change that only NAR members would be given weight if they were to reconsider the action. It can certainly be changed to not be a required field. Let's see what some others have to say.

[satxproperty]

Any bulk email that is unsolicited or otherwise not "opted into" voluntarily in my book is Spam.

Don't get me wrong I am all for the project.

[Steve Didier]

If it was sent in accordance with the CANSpam Laws of 2003, there should be no issues. Everybody would have the opportunity to opt out. This is important to a lot of agents and I would imagine that many would love to hear about it.

[jessiesc]

There are ways to do this within the anti spam laws. I do it all the time. Although I don't have 2 mil addresses I do send out 50k every 6 months.

2 things...

You have to have a way to opt out.
However, you can also place a disclaimer stating this is the only email that the receiver will ever get and it is not necessary to opt out.

The trick in doing this is to avoid your isp from flagging you as a spammer.

I have a blast program that I use for this purpose.

[jessiesc]

I will be giving a detailed overview of the situation at my next office meeting.

It appears, I am the only one aware of this situation and the broker asked me to deliver what I can to the rest of the agents.

My suggestion is everyone interested in promoting this issue, at least start there.

I have several links I can provide (actually I took svrPauls and others links) with summary quotes you can print as a handout or send as an email.

Grassroots movements always start at the bottom and blossom from there.