Principle 5 (still alive?)

Honest, this is going to short and sweet. 

5.. MLS rules should be uniform and enforced consistently.

Over the years the relevant market area for many brokers and agents has expanded beyond the artificial boundaries of now out-dated MLS regions. As a result brokers are increasingly operating in multiple MLS environments and facing complex issues related to the disparities in rules, regulations and enforcement governing different MLS’s. We believe rules should be established that simplify and enhance the experience of MLS users across systems. To that end we believe that the C.A.R. Model MLS Rules should form the basis to develop statewide rules and standards of enforcement.

Relevant market area? Relevant to whom? Does the Buyer care how widely the agent ranges or does the Buyer want an agent who knows what the heck he or she is doing in a particular area that's the focus of interest in selecting a new house? More self absorbed rhetoric and I love the "outdated". That's so state association! The reality is that average levels of service may well have been better 25 years ago than they are today. Outdated can be a good thing. 

Here's the rub, most MLSs ALREADY use the model MLS rules. MLS rules are not complex--ever read them? It's all pretty simple stuff. To suggest that the whole state MLS system needs to be changed so that the overburdened mega brokers can avoid that dark veil of complexity and spend more time in their luxury sedans driving to the country club is a stretch. I've never heard a broker say "I'd love this business if only I didn't need to stay up nights pondering these diverse MLS rules and obscure enforcement policies". 

If only the MLS rules were the same it would enhance the experience of MLS users across systems. Oh really! That quality of experience is important to whom? The public--NOPE! They might be better served by an agent who only had to worry about one set of MLS rules because they stay where their expertise lies. If they want to list elsewhere, taking 10 minutes to read the local rules of the road, is not unreasonable.

Bottom line is there is no problem with MLS rules, except that the state association wanted, in 2005, to create the perception of a problem whose solution happened to fall in line with their agenda of creating a statewide MLS. Remember, they couldn't use THAT WORD in 2005, but the concept was floating out there as a shadow solution to this and oh so many other pressing problems.