Date Archives September 2006

What is the MLS

From and Inman News (sub required) article regarding the practice of “re-listing” – pulling a listing from the MLS and putting it back on so it appears to be a “new” listing and thereby defeating the vaunted Days on Market (DOM) statistic:The National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics provides that “Realtors shall be careful at all times to present a true picture in their advertising and representations to the public,” though Lucien Salvant, a spokesman for NAR, said that MLSs are not considered advertising vehicles.  “It’s a local MLS issue on how they address (relisting),” he said.  “There is no NAR requirement on that particular point.”Um, then what exactly is the MLS, if not an advertising vehicle?

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Who will pay the property taxes

If private shopping centers are declared to be “public spaces”?Richard C.  Collins argued yesterday that shopping centers have become public squares and asked a judge to overturn his trespassing conviction for distributing leaflets at a strip mall….The ACLU has contended that shopping centers have replaced traditional town centers, especially in the suburbs, as places where the public congregates and that public speech, including political campaigning, should be allowed at private shopping centers under the state’s constitution.Equally fascinating is how the ACLU and the Rutherford Institute have teamed up.I wrote about this last year here and here.  Looking back, I hope my writing has improved since then.  :)Cvillenews had at least two stories (with great comments) last year as well.

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Friday links 09-21-2006

Americans are short-sighted and tend to spend what they have.What will replace the gas tax?Smart Transporation Investments Virginia Roads: the Fast and the Furious – the upcoming Virginia Special Transportation Session brings the rumors, conjecture and speculation out of the woodwork.Basically – read Bacon’s Rebellion.Learn about the bills here.  I like the “most frequently accessed” option.Setting a maximum population for Albemarle.  I know one way to start with the reduction of the population – they could lead the charge out of Albemarle by moving and/or not having kids.  The debate will be interesting and enlightening, I hope, so long as vitriol does not take a front seat.  All sides could probably learn something from each other.I really like Trulia – I really do….  But come on – A quick MLS search reveals that the average sales price in the past 3 months in Charlottesville (the City of) for a single-family three bedroom home is over $300k.  At least they say this:Note: These market indicators are estimates based on properties currently for sale in Trulia’s database.  Your real estate agent may have more accurate or complete data available.

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Google and Zillow

All the talk for the past few days has focused on Zillow….  Rightfully so, and Zillow seems to be courting the bloggers as well – something that larger corporations (MLS’) would be wise to do:I’m guessing you might have already heard, but I thought I’d mail you anyway regarding the new version of Zillow that we shipped last night, which includes the ability for homeowners to update and add information about their home, such as a recent remodel or the existence of a waterfront view….  I think the new features are pretty cool- check this post on our blog for more infoZillow is very, very cool.  And useful; I just don’t see it replacing Realtors’ ability to interpret the intangible, unzillowable aspects of a home – I foresee it enhancing Realtors’ interpretation of said data.I am more concerned with intrigued by Google and their recent change to Google Base, prominently featuring housing on the front page.Right now, Zillow has the buzz throughout the blogosphere, (and also the critical eye/target) but Google is sneaking up (never thought I would write that!)  on the competition, and that competition is the change-as-fast-as-molasses-flows MLS and Realtor organizations….  Realtors and MLS’.Just look at the simplicity of the above – RSS….  I wish that I had taken a picture of how many listings were in Charlottesville when I uploaded my first Google Base listing.If I recall correctly, Merv made the comparison some time ago between the Realtor organization and GM.  I think that he may have been quite prescient.Two questions: When has Google failed?What if – Google bought Zillow?

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Reflecting on the Convention.

Reflecting on the VAR Convention …  I spent the past two and a half days at the Virginia Association of Realtors’ Convention learning (I graduate from the Leadership Academy on Friday morning) about the state of the Association.  The first and most vexing observation is about politics – everything is about politics, isn’t it?  The more I get involved, the more I am torn between continuing to get involved and withdrawing from it all together.  Yet, expressing a voice for what is right will lead to more advances than will silence.  So, involvement it shall be; until my disillusionment becomes overwhelming …  More to come as time allows, but it is refreshing to hear that Realtors will be advocating for some solutions rather than merely fighting everything.  Hint: impact fees may be involved.

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Ah, Leadership

I thought about this when I read it, but Mayor Brown puts it most succinctly:And the irony that this luncheon was held in Glenmore – an affluent, gated community – must have been obvious to everyone present.From the DP:“Lots of poor kids are smart and need enrichment opportunities,” Ralston told the chamber’s annual Community Government Luncheon at Glenmore Country Club.  Parents living in poverty “want the best for their kids but they don’t have the resources and they don’t have the opportunities,” she said.WINA and WCAV report as well.  Hat tip to Waldo.Might as well lead from the top.

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