Competition bureau aims to make property listings cheaper
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07/02/2010 8:00:00 AM
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The Competition Bureau says today it will try to make it cheaper for sellers to list their homes on the Multiple Listings Service (MLS).
Currently consumers are forced to pay for services on the MLS site imposed by the Canadian Real Estate Association they may not want or need, says the bureau.
"Consumers should be able to choose which services they want to buy in order to facilitate that transaction, including lower-cost options," says Melanie Aitken, Commissioner of Competition.
Before listing on the MLS system, which accounts for the vast majority of real estate transactions in Canada, agents must agree to comply with the Canadian Real Estate Associations restrictions.
For example, the Competition Bureau says agents are prohibited under CREA's rules from offering consumers the option of simply paying a fee for an agent to list a home on the MLS system. Instead, all consumers looking to list a property must purchase a pre-determined set of additional services from an agent, such as presentation of offers and negotiation of a final deal.
Latest Comments
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13
comment(s)
Finn Larsen managing broker on
08 Feb 2010 05:52 PM
If an agent list on MLS or exclusive that agent and their company become responsible for the represenaton of the property, The laws relating to represenation then must be rewritten , what happens to agency , the competition bureau has not thought this out very throughly. Is it not the compettition buraues mandate to ensure that no controls and unfair business practices occur? They are trying to legislate unfair business practices. It is still up to the agency what is charged , included not included. They are disallusioned that the listings will become cheaper, MLS is only a small fee for listings.What is their next mandate?, to tell the listing agentcy what can be charged? If the consumer does not want MLS then go exclusive Period.With the immense options of the internet MLS is now only a small part of marketing. May God Keep Our Land Strong and Free
broker on
08 Feb 2010 07:30 PM
this is great, hope they win, yes you can list a with a discount agency but the realtors boycott the listing. Most realtors throw the listing on mls and thats it and because the market has been good are able to make quick money,very few actually earn their keep. Realtors shouldnt be so concerned what the Bureau is doing as to what Google is doing, the market will force this even if the bureau doesnt.
Paul Burns on
08 Feb 2010 08:44 PM
Costsd will not come down. However, now there will be less assurances that they are selling a fair market value. Of course the lawyers and the appraisers will love this as they will get that portion of the REALTORs fees. Then the various on-line and off line marketing sourses will get the rest. Let the buyer, and the lender, beware!!
broker on
09 Feb 2010 12:48 AM
realtors dont protect anyone but themselves, laws protect buyers and sellers that why you hire a lawyer when buy or sell and home. when canada deregulated the phone industry did prices come down? they sure did and it has been alot better now that we have a competitive enviroment. Old boys clubs are good for no one but the people who are club members.
Jack on
09 Feb 2010 09:56 AM
Good news !!
I hope this will happen soon that sellers can post their properties to MLS directly & no need to go through realtors !! Consumers can save lots of money !!
Ray on
09 Feb 2010 10:15 AM
Fully support The Competition Bureau !!
When you buy/sell stocks you can chose Discount or Full services brokerage & why we are forced to chose full services realtors when you sell/buy properties ??
Jeff Gingerich on
09 Feb 2010 11:35 AM
Be careful what you wish for. I spoke with a Guelph agent who heard from a private seller that he had accepted 2 offers. Unfortunately he only has 1 house to sell. This reeks of litigation...is this what everyone wants? Re. boycott, there may be individuals doing this but certainly not industry policy anywhere. In the current seller's market, agents working with buyers are being compensated less and less. Should more properties come on the the market, sellers may decide to offer greater compensation to the buyer's agent. The important thing to take from this is market forces should dictate change and not the Competition Bureau. Re. Jack, wake up...you're dreaming. MLS is organized real estate and Realtors pay significant fees to be a member. I expect the Canadian Real Estate Association to vigourously defend the Competition Bureau's efforts to force reduced fees. Ray, you have that option already. This battle has just begun.
Shawn on
10 Feb 2010 06:06 PM
most realtors dont deserve the high fees they charge, and dont do much work. this is a welcome development, and is long overdue. the barriers to entry to becoming a realtor are very low, with no continuing education required. a monkey could sell a house, the public does not need realtors.
broker on
11 Feb 2010 01:25 PM
K-W Realtor, realtors in BC are making fortunes and good on them, but the public needs real choice and access to information as competition is good for everyone. The fear mongering that there is going be mass litigation etc. is crazy, thats why we have laws and lawyers that will keep everything in check. The good realtors will make money even with reduced fees it just wont fall into theri laps like it has in the last 10 yrs plus. There isnt value anymore and the boycotting is alive and well in BC dont be fooled.
Robert on
10 Jun 2010 08:50 AM
Listing your home on MLS is one step in a sale of a home. The real estate agent should also be using networking with other agents as well as other internet sites besides MLS. Networking is where the agent can bring value in addition to ensuring the seller and buyer are well represented. Lawyers will ensure that things like liens, surveys and encumbrances are taken care of but they will not be at the home to ensure the seller does not misrepresent themselves ("A consumer's view" complaint about oceanview is silly, what about the seller who says the windows and roof are new or that the renovations were to code?). Buying and selling a home is not a trivial matter and realtors are mandated to take and pass many exams before they can be a realtor. There are many ways folks can get themselves in trouble and for the money they 'save' they may find themselves in a more expensive mess.
Find a good realtor, negotiate a fee (it can be a flat fee).
woogly on
12 Jun 2010 08:52 AM
agent can bring value in addition to ensuring the seller and buyer are well represented. Lawyers will ensure that things like liens, surveys and encumbrances are taken care of but they. nice site to discussion
woogly on
12 Jun 2010 08:52 AM
agent can bring value in addition to ensuring the seller and buyer are well represented. Lawyers will ensure that things like liens, surveys and encumbrances are taken care of but they. nice site to discussion
woogly on
12 Jun 2010 08:53 AM
agent can bring value in addition to ensuring the seller and buyer are well represented. Lawyers will ensure that things like liens, surveys and encumbrances are taken care of but they. nice site to discussion ____________________________________