Guest (Miriam) from New York City says:
Shawn thank you for your comments. Whatever was going on in real estate out there 20 years should not be going on now as this is a new world - different laws such as Agency laws exist now which didn't exist then. As far as having a broker I know co-broke with me that is absurd. A broker can only co-broke their own listings they can not speak for any other listing agent. My buyer should have full access to all of the listings available to her and be able to engage a buyer's agent of choice. Since not all agents out there co-broke their listings and not all share their commissions my buyer would be at a disadvantage which also means as a consumer she does not have freedom of choice. One agent may say Yes I will co-broke but your buyer has to pay you, another might day no I will not co- broker please send your buyer, while another might say okay please show my property and I will share the commission. Because this is not an MLS each agent on each listing can make independent decisions and the whole purpose is not to share. On an MLS the sellers sign a contract, this is all explained, co-brokes are decided in advance and the only thing left to do is show the house and get it sold. An MLS is the be all and end all at least in marketing real estate and working for the consumer. This shared listing service is about the agents and not the consumer. Forgive me but your comment an incomplete listing or outdated information as a reason for not having an MLS is ridiulous. At least when agents use the MLS there are rules to follow, there is recourse in getting agents to follow those rules, there are Ethics that apply and recourse if there is a violation where without the MLS there is nothing. This should be about the buyers and the sellers, being upfront when listing a house, having all buyers brought in see a property, having any agent with a buyer paid by the seller without having an arbitrary discussion.

Guest (Miriam) from New York City says:
HANFRA - yes I am representing my buyer as a buyers broker and owned a home in the hamptons for over 20 years and know the area very well there is no question that due diligence is not an issue but I don't have access to the listings because even though the "Hamptons" are on Long Island they number of listing on the Long island MLS is insiginificant and so brokers are forcing brokers to give up their buyers which is not cooperating or in the spirit of Ethics or any MLS. It should not be up to a group of agents to determine what is due diligence for another agent by withholding listings from the MLS which is indeed up to them. However it is accepted practice in real estate that an MLS listing gives the greatest exposure to a seller in capuruing all the buyers so where is the due diligence on the part of the agents who do not put their listings on the Long Island MLS?

Guest (HANFRA,EO) from Southold says:
Laurie- If you are unhappy with the response that you get from your local association (LIBOR) might I suggest that rather than spending your time spitting at the backside of a camel on blog sites that you either becoming more active in your local association's policy and governance committees and work toward reforming the system you are unhappy with, or perhaps join another association who will take your written complaints seriously. Better yet, why not attend NYSAR's convention in Albany this week and address your concerns to the Professional Standards Committee, or the MLS Policy Committee. You might get more satisfaction in accomplishing something than just wasting spittle, and assisting websites in getting clicks. You have my phone number is you need directions to the Desmond.

Guest (Tom D) from Westhampton says:
Miriam - I might agree with HANFRA, EO - that Hamptons realtors do cooperate very well - as long as you are part of the cabal of Hamptons realtors. Since you are outside of the Hamptons and all its unique charm and character, you are obviously not able to represent the best interests of a buyer. Of course, what I discovered over the last couple of years is that they don't even cooperate amongst themselves. It is obvious that most Hamptons realtors have a very strange definition of ethics. I wish you luck and lots of it as you will need every bit of it. One of these days these guys will stepp into the 20th century. And yes, I know we are in the 21st century. That's just how backwards these people are.

Guest (Miriam) from New York City says:
HANFRA thank you for your comment. I am a licensed agent in New York State and belong to LIBOR. I have a buyer who is interested in viewing properties on the East End but even though I pay dues and belong to the local MLS I do not have access to the listings in the Hamptons. Why is that. Why must I give up my buyer, who prefers to works with me, in order for them to view properties out in the Hamptons. My buyer is not happy with this and I don't consider this cooperating.

Guest (Miriam) from New York City says:
A question? Since you are bound by the NAR Ethics and there is no MLS in your area how do your members cooperate with other Realtors? Believe that is part of the Ethics.