<HTML> <HEAD> <title>WebForm1</title> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 7.1"> <meta name="CODE_LANGUAGE" content="Visual Basic .NET 7.1"> <meta name="vs_defaultClientScript" content="JavaScript"> <meta name="vs_targetSchema" content="http://schemas.microsoft.com/intellisense/ie5"> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content='text/html; charset=UTF-8'> </HEAD> <body > <TABLE id="Table1" cellSpacing="1" cellPadding="1" width="100%" border="0"> <TR> <TD><b>Comment Number:</b></TD> <TD>518795-00259</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>Received Date:</b></TD> <TD>10/25/2005 12:48:55 AM</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>Organization:</b></TD> <TD></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>Commenter:</b></TD> <TD>Howe, Kathy</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>State:</b></TD> <TD>HI</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>Agency:</b></TD> <TD>Federal Trade Commission</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>Rule:</b></TD> <TD>Competition Policy and the Real Estate Industry</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>Docket ID:</b></TD> <TD>To Be Added</TD> </TR> <TR> <td colspan='2'>No Attachments</td> </TR> </TABLE> <hr/> <b>Comments:</b><br/><br/> As a Graduate Realtor Institute instructor, I hope you will understand that it has been my job over the years to try to educate licensees on the benefits of negotiating commissions, to explain different business models, and to instruct licensees on the need to educate consumers on the merits of the licensee in a real estate transaction. Under the Code of Ethics, REALTORS&reg; are not to speak disparagingly about another REALTOR® and GRI courses work hard to give intellectual reasons NOT to boycott, disparage, or discuss commissions as a group. Yes, there is competition, but, in my opinion, there is always enough business for those who hone their skills and many people will gladly pay a high premium for excellent work. If you are good, you will be paid well for your services. Should poor service be rewarded at the same rate? I think not. Personally, I applaud what you are trying to do& allow the consumer the choice. I welcome consulting firms, fee-for-services, and flat fee companies, in addition to traditional firms. No, I do not believe in minimum standards that have been enacted by many states. On the issue of MLS: REALTORS® invested in and built up realtor.com. It belongs to us. I believe that the public should be able to put their listing into MLS THROUGH a REALTOR® member. I do not believe in the OPT-OUT portion of the IDL policy, however. Kathy Howe, Owner/Broker, ABR, CRS, GRI How2hawaii realty LLC How2educate LLC&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <A href="http://how2educatehawaii.com">http://how2educatehawaii.com</A> <A name=RDACT1></A> </body> </HTML>