For example, I believe a member of SFAR recently sold the house at 80 San Fernando Way in San Francisco. I never saw the price published in the chronicle, nor does Zillow know the sales price. However, the real estate agent who helped me buy my house sent me a list of sales in 2006 (I assume from MLS) which showed that it sold for $3.2 on 10/23/06.

It seemed kind of shady when I never found the info in the sold homes listings or on Zillow, but only found out based on the real estate agent’s list.

MLS companies have every right to protect their private data, but its members should not chastise others who make public the data that is supposed to be public anyway, which includes the sales price.

When you mention an agent by name – you are attacking that person, whether your intent was to insult or not. When you mention a member of your association and then infer unethical actions and actions that warrant a lack of trust – that is an attack. Perhaps you didn’t mean to make it personal – but it’s pretty personal and when Garrett starts to field telephone calls about this and he has to justify his actions — well it calls for a response.

As for my spelling (a mens) — it was joke. You take yourself very seriously — you have an ethical adviser (sweet gig that guy has) and I was thinking you should get a spell checker in addition to that ethical adviser – ha ha – funny joke.

As the broker of the firm, I’d be thrilled to bring more agents on board that share Garrett’s passion for helping buyers and sellers. He is committed to giving his clients every piece of information — AT NO COST. He made a mistake with regards to the dissemination of that information, was spoken to and has taken actions to rectify the situation. It’s a dead issue.

You should check around and find out what Garrett’s reputation is — start with the very Board of Realtors you intend to run for. Ask them if they know Garrett — what they think of him, whether he’s an active and positive member who is looking to advance the mission and purpose of the Association. When you’ve done that, go check with people who have worked with Garrett. See what they think of his ethics and adherence to honesty and integrity. Once you’ve done that, take a second and tell him you are sorry for dragging his name through the mud – it would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve said my peace, piece, peeeeece.

“a mens” that would be amends unless you’re making some veiled sexist remark

What is all this playa interview ya b.s. Are you a racist?

Why don’t we just back of the escalation of personal attacks. Go back to the beginning and re-read the post. Let’s keep the discussion to the issue. This is access to data. Public wants it and they want it at no cost to them. They don’t want to have to register for it and they have a sense that they are entitled to it.
My opinion, this forum is for various opinions isn’t it, is that we as Realtors need to change the rules of our organization and figure out a way to give the consumer the access they want. But the outlaw is not the hero. We don’t need to spin you against me; we need to come up with a way that our information can be presented to the public so that it benefits us and not a third party.
We both know that the consumer doesn’t care who benefits from the accessing of data as long as it isn’t them. The consumer can go as far as they want into the subject and reach out when and if they feel it benefits them. It is at that point that we need to focus our industries energy. Right now we are seeing third party business models inserting themselves and then charging us for access to the consumer.
HomeGain is the number two real estate search site. Consumers seem to be voting approval. They charge the agent a 27% referral fee for a lead that closes. They don’t charge a consumer upfront but they are placing themselves in the position of being the spot when the consumer reaches out.
Realtor.com is the number one real estate search site. You want to be in one of four or five top places when the consumer decides it’s time to reach out. $10,000 dollars a year, thank you very much.

So to my fellow agents, this is not the time to be snapping at each other. I never attack anyone personally and I try to be forgiving of people that attack me personally, especially if they don’t know me personally. Rhetoric and invective don’t sway me and it doesn’t stop me from pressing for discussion and action. I will attack actions that are taken, but never the person. It’s just a basic parenting skill.
It is the time to be active and vociferous about the needed changes in our industry. In our phone conversation yesterday Garrett and I agreed that we need to work together within SFAR to build a strong alliance of involved agents that will bring these issues to the board and get action. It is my platform in running for a seat on the board this year and I am working to join with the other agent that Garrett mentioned to advance these issues.
You know what this reminds me of Garrett, grammer school you get in a fight with a classmate and you both get detention. During detention you find out you like the guy and you become friends. I believe you and I have the same goal and if we talk we can become allies.

You and your ethical adviser should stick to adding content to your own blog and focus on your own clients and your own business. Garrett has made a mens with the Board and he did so immediately.

Sounds like you are just pissed off that you didn’t come up with a password protected client portal to assist clients by providing information. We’re pretty damn tech savvy over @ Home-SanFrancisco. If you want to come over and discuss working for a brokerage where we see our role as honest, ethical brokers of information – by all means come on down. We’d be happy to interview ya.

Don’t hate the playa Jed – hate the game.