Why Electronic Forms Will Be the Next MLS Battleground

Forms used in a transaction are not an MLS issue. Gary Edwards is correct that forms have always been a big money maker for the state and local boards, actually their biggest money maker.

The California Association of Realtors has done an excellent job of designing forms that are meant to protect agents and brokers in their transactions. Do they copyright them - yes. Do they make money on them - yes. Do they require their members to use them - NO. If a broker wants to use his/her own forms they are free to do so. They just aren't getting the benefit and protections built into the CAR forms.

In California we have had electronic forms (WinForms) for a couple years. The beauty is that you only pay for impressions. And if a form changes you only need to download the new forms and don't have to throw out old impressions. --

Russ Bergeron, General Manager, Southern California MLS
101 East Lincoln Avenue, Suite 120, Anaheim, California 92805-3203
714-517-2626, Fax 714-517-2604, Fax-On-Demand 888-860-2699
RussBergeron@SoCalMLS.com

Published: March 12, 1999

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