Yet another opportunity

Not too long after the iPad was first introduced I went to a presentation on the new hardware at a state association business meeting. It was certainly cool, but during the presentation I realized that the coolest thing would be to use the iPad to create an electronic MLS book---like the old ones (remember them) only with big pictures, more data and agents could still flip through the pages. I remember some of the agents in offices I managed way back when would have tabs, color coding, paper clips--it was very intense.

That meeting was almost 3 years ago and now with iPad 3 there is even more reason to drop MLS data and photos into the handy package. A distributed data base incremental download could update the iPad in the AM, even if it did't have 4G. Rest of the day the WHOLE MLS database would be right there for open houses, showing property, doing analysis and arranging big beautiful photos. If some MLS vendor is already doing this, I haven't seen it around here.

MLS technology is one of those areas of innovation in which each vendor strives to be just a little better than the competition OR have some huge political clout to lever into expanding user base. Actually making a game changing advance is far from a priority. That's why greening the MLS is mostly lip service. MLS systems do not now support best interests of Buyers or Sellers seeking to pursue the benefits of energy efficiency to save on overall housing expenses and enhance the future of the planet. Apparently organized real estate is just along for the ride and the commission check. Business as usual is just fine. Carbon emission reductions can come from somewhere else. Nothing that would complicate the process or add expense to sales transactions could possibly have short term benefits that would justify the cost. Oh, and long term benefits don't count.

The Buyers and Sellers have the power to take control of real estate sales transactions back to better meet their best interests. Who benefits from NOT knowing the energy efficiency of houses? The few Sellers who  have houses that perform much worse than would be expected AND the real estate industry seeking fast, easy, low risk commission checks. EVERYONE else suffers (as does the Planet). That's a tail wagging the energy hog sorta thing!