Real estate competition and antitrust actions
If discount and limited-service real estate brokerages have yet to take off as spectacularly as their most enthusiastic boosters had anticipated, one reason could be that in some markets, the rules have been stacked against them, regulators say.
One obstacle nontraditional brokers have had to overcome is full and equal access to multiple listing services.
Sellers expect any broker they do business with will have the ability to place listings in the multiple listing service — and that those listings will be seen not only by other brokers, but by consumers.
Buyers are attracted to websites that offer them access to a comprehensive and rich set of listings data in their market — a fact that technology-based brokerages like ZipRealty and Redfin have built their businesses around.
Tags: Estate, Real Estate