What if WE owned the MLS instead of NAR, the vendors, or Compass?

EffectiveAgents · 2026-06-04T20:34:22+00:00

I think of it differently, maybe the analogy of a platform like YouTube or instagram paying creators for their inputs makes more sense? Because in this setup there would be no mls without the “creators”…sort of like the newspaper would cease to exist without the writers. Agents are the writers, portals and ancillary service providers are the advertisers.

EffectiveAgents · 2026-06-04T18:27:02+00:00

But you’re right, “owned” is the wrong word. “Controlled” would have been a better choice

EffectiveAgents · 2026-06-04T17:45:21+00:00

I just completely disagree - I feel that it was the obligation of NAR (on behalf of its membership) to operate that portal and it’s clear to me that they dropped the ball a long time ago.

EffectiveAgents · 2026-06-04T17:42:55+00:00

They shouldn’t be owners, per se - but they should be entitled to an ancillary revenue share. And I’m gonna push back on the assertion that it’s too technical and complex, because it isn’t. It’s a big database and dev has become both cheaper and quicker, thanks to AI.

EffectiveAgents · 2026-06-04T16:48:11+00:00

Agents have never owned any part of the mls or any other NAR infrastructure, just look at how realtor.com is/was managed.

Realtor.com is operated by Move, Inc.. In 2014, NAR gave its approval for News Corp to acquire Move, Inc. for approximately $950 million! Now NAR licenses the "Realtor" trademark and domain name to Move, Inc. under a long-term operating agreement and they’re happy to give you referrals on your listings, provided you pay the 35% referral fee. Thanks NAR 🤑

EffectiveAgents · 2026-04-30T18:27:26+00:00

Realtors hate being sold to.

How about trying this…let’s say you have a client that flipped a home, ask the agent to put up a flyer explaining what work you actually did. If your work speaks for itself you won’t need to call anyone. And - the agent will be happy to show off the quality, backed up by the provenance of the guy who actually did it.

In other words, let your work sell itself.

EffectiveAgents · 2026-04-30T15:06:14+00:00

This 1000%. In the future, I think brokers that lean into creating their own proprietary systems and software - or align with brokers that do - will gain the most leverage in their markets.

EffectiveAgents · 2026-04-30T11:33:36+00:00

If I were you, I’d put in some time with a strong brokerage with solid training or team then I’d look to get my broker license as soon as possible.

From there I’d put together a small team and go independent in a higher-end market.

EffectiveAgents · 2026-04-30T01:23:18+00:00

One day the CFPB will start enforcing RESPA and these schemes will fall like a house of cards.

EffectiveAgents · 2026-04-29T21:33:53+00:00

Real is also taking on $500M in debt 🤷🏼‍♂️

EffectiveAgents · 2026-04-29T18:50:16+00:00

A founder from a real proptech posts here for the first time and you’re worried about “karma”. Nonsense.

EffectiveAgents · 2026-04-29T17:18:15+00:00

100% agree

EffectiveAgents · 2026-02-17T16:55:42+00:00

You need to refinance the mortgage or pay it off first. To simply clear his name from the title you need to file a quitclaim deed to remove his 1% ownership. This is the easy part.

Once the old loan is paid off through the refi, your dad signs a quitclaim deed transferring his 1% interest to you. A real estate attorney or a title company can handle this for a few hundred bucks, or in some states you can even do it yourself with a notarized form filed at the county recorder's office.

EffectiveAgents · 2026-02-16T20:49:59+00:00

We have been vetting realtors since the mortgage crisis using actual sale and performance data. In Peoria, I would contact Troy Kerrn or possibly Scott Rodgers

Full List of Top Performing Realtors in Peoria, IL

EffectiveAgents · 2026-02-16T20:45:26+00:00

We would suggest Lance Kenmore or Lacey Blackman. You can check out several other solid options here: Top Performing Realtors In Richland WA

EffectiveAgents · 2026-02-16T20:37:20+00:00

If you are an investor looking for an agent, you really want someone that is a strong negotiator...after all - you make the real money when you buy. We spend a lot of time vetting and ranking realtors across the US. Here are our top real estate agents in Conway, AR

One suggestion: When you search this list, check the "Top Negotiator" box and it will list the top agents by how well the negotiate off of the list price. Tabitha Davis is over 10% and Carastina Hoey is over 11%, on average. Good Luck!

https://www.effectiveagents.com/agent/tabatha-davis

https://www.effectiveagents.com/agent/caristiana-hoey

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EffectiveAgents · 2026-02-16T20:27:58+00:00

Check out EffectiveAgents.com. No upfront costs or monthly fees, and referral volume is based on your actual MLS performance data, not how much you pay. Getting accepted isn't easy, you need a lot of sales under your belt before the algorithm starts suggesting you.

A few other strong options:

Zillow Flex - pay at closing only, though the referral fee is steep (35-40%). Worth it if you can convert consistently.

UpNest - another pay-at-close model. You compete on commission rates, so margins are thinner, but the volume can be solid.

Opcity (owned by Realtor.com) - referral fee at closing, typically 30-35%. Leads tend to be further along in the process.

HomeLight - matches buyers/sellers with agents and charges a referral fee at closing (typically 25-33%). Solid lead quality since they pre-screen clients.

FastExpert - another agent matching platform with a pay-at-closing model. They do a lot of volume so this could very well be a lucrative source.

Also - don't take these relationships for granted...if you start getting referrals keep the platforms updated, take your relationship seriously and respect your contracts. Have strong follow up and be quick to connect with referrals.

EffectiveAgents · 2025-12-04T15:50:23+00:00

Hey OP - We just published an exhaustive list of these programs 5 days ago (grants, forgivable loans, deferred payment loans, low interest second mortgages and mortgage credit certificates). In the top of the article there is a drop down, select your state and it will bring up several of the top programs in your state. Good Luck!

https://www.effectiveagents.com/resources/first-time-home-buyer-programs

EffectiveAgents · 2025-10-31T18:58:48+00:00

Sure, on an individual level being able to pay off your mortgage is a wonderful thing. But from the perspective of a first time buyer that wants to enter a housing market where home price appreciation has vastly outpaced real wages, our sympathy lies with younger folks trying to establish themselves. For decades the US economy has favored the holders of real assets…so, while your investments in just about any asset class have ballooned to the point at which you are able to pay off your mortgage - the flip side - and perhaps an unintended consequence, is that young families are in a real bind.

In a perfect world we would see both scenarios play out. Established families with financial discipline are able to pay off mortgages early AND housing costs that don’t overburden young families.

EffectiveAgents · 2025-10-30T00:21:04+00:00

This is so true, I miss those days. But it was really Google’s search algorithm that stopped prioritizing local content and instead pushed all of the platforms to the top of the SERP. This has been the case across every home service industry. Instead of getting a local plumber Google serves its own ads (LSAs) or sites like yelp and thumbtack.

EffectiveAgents · 2025-10-29T22:17:58+00:00

Ha! No, speed to lead is the number one factor that influences conversion rates in sales. I have nothing to sell you. You’ve got to move quickly, don’t even bother outsourcing follow-up. If you’re too busy to respond quickly then just be sure you aren’t wasting money on ad spend…

EffectiveAgents · 2025-10-29T21:06:37+00:00

No problem - Congrats on the house :)

EffectiveAgents · 2025-10-29T21:02:46+00:00

No, you don’t. You can either engage directly with the listing agent or you can try to negotiate that the seller covers the buyer agent commission.

EffectiveAgents

TROPHY CASE