I guess in my zeal to find an alternative I may have blown the Homeseekers horn a little too loudly. Your assesment couldn't be more correct.

Unfortunately as an aggregate group, the members of NAR have let their leadership, (Brokers and Local MLS') lead them into an empty promised land. The agent has been a commidity for some time now. Now the role of that commodity, (the agent) can be reduced to that of someone that acts as a physical go between. Reduce the role of the commodity, replace it with automation and you've got a way to skim all but a minute part of the cream off of the transaction.

The agent or brokers that develop a fee for service structure and business model that can thrive and survive under it will be the winner in this game. Lets face it, consumers have evolved. They will not tolerate conflicts of interest, and paying fees for services they do not need.

There is hope. Find your niche people! Create a new business model and forge ahead without being afraid of the big bad wolf! Become one with technology and for God sakes don't buy it from an Ex Realtor, or an Association! And quit swallowing the swill that the so called experts like Mr. Internet feed people. That guys charges hundred of dollars for a piece of crap book that anyone with an ounce of ambition could learn on their own. Do your homework. Peel back the layers of the agendas. Look at the failures and question everything, IPRO, RIN, the move.com "acquistion". There's enough to write a freaking novel of corruption. (Any takers?, as you can tell I am no novelist)

If you're one of the many agents that complains that your association does not have your best interest at heart, start doing something about it or get out of the damn business!

Technology is not standing in the way of Realtors, Realtors are standing in the way of technology and they are letting NAR and Homestore take full advantage of it. If you continue to take every press release generated by Homestore and NAR as gospel, mark my word, you are doomed.

I saw a great ad the other day featuring a sculputure of the famous "thinking man". It said underneath the ad, "Don't just stand there!, Sit down and do something!" I think that's just what a few hundred thousand real estate professionals should be doing now. Sitting down and composing their battle crys and forming the lynch mobs!