Kevin Seney

Hey Adam, Zip is a totally different model than Bug! I agree with you that good agents are better than advertising, any day. But, I don't quite know what you mean by rebates? And, I disagree with you on your perspectives on naming and branding. Branding done well, is amazing! Branding done poorly, is hard to overcome (ask Help-U-Sell how offering "full service" realty worked for them under that name...). Thank you for sharing your thoughts... ks

The MLS monopoly would have broken down sooner, probably at the beginning of the dot com revolution, if it were not for the clustered political bureaucracy, which holds it all together, built around local board structures and politics. When the first MLS systems migrated from the old printed books, to a simple online, dial up, BBS system, "pre web," it actually made sense. It was leagues ahead of the old books, not to mention saving a few trees. Here is a similar example: In the USA, we rolled out national Cellular Phone service, earlier than most other nations. But, because we adopted early, we also built a very large system, based on old technology, which has kept us in the past. Witness, third world countries, who had total digital systems, long before the USA, because as "late adopters" they started with totally digital systems and newer technology. Look at the success of loopnet.com for the commercial industry. Because the commercial real estate industry did NOT have a formal MLS, the door was wide open for a better solution from the private sector. Look at the simplicity and openness of loopnet.com and because the model is free from local politics, and agendas, the system evolves freely, upgrading and evolving quickly as needs arise. What should happen, is that the NAR should just abandon the entire MLS and open it up to the private sector. Companies would rapidly provide competing solutions, and the best suited, most evolved solutions would win. The industry would win. It will happen eventually, so I say "why not now?" What are we waiting for? I have been working on a project for 7 years now, under the domain USMLS.com that models after the success of www.loopnet.com. Any tool which facilitates the exchange of up-to-date information, on a standardized platform, available to all, will add to market efficiency. We need a robust, web based, national MLS system, NOW! Your comments, are welcome... Kevin Seney, Founder & CEO Bug! Realty USA, Inc. www.bugrealtyblog.com

Our team is currently in Napa, CA, attending our First Annual Franchise Owner's Retreat. Last evening when our group pulled up to the restaurant, in 5 identical Bugs, the entire town knew Bug! was there! Our table was buzzing with energy, as our group came together for the first time. Despite the negative press about the real estate market, our conversation was filled with excitement, over our amazing progress in 2007. Each team shared their individual success stories and local reaction to our new approach to the business of real estate. What is common with everyone, is the pure fun they are having, while they are building their business and careers. By the end of the evening, our waitress was wondering how she could join our company... Today we will host an all day workshop for our Franchise Owner's. KS