<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>518795-00345</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>Received Date:</b></TD> <TD>11/16/2005 8:37:14 AM</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>Organization:</b></TD> <TD>West USA Realty</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>Commenter:</b></TD> <TD>Stephens, Robert</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>State:</b></TD> <TD>AZ</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/> FTC---Multiple Listing Services were created by Realtors several decades ago as a cooperative effort to enable Brokers to sell real estate. I have been in business over 32 years but it was created long before that time. Think about it--before MLS, Brokers would list and sell their own listings. Then, to create faster sales and serve clients better, they formed an MLS and would share the fees they charged the clients. It created more inventory for all participants and faster sales for clients. This system is NOT a public domain and Brokers still own their listings with agreements signed by clients. We are still VERY competitive to the delight of clients who save money from this condition. The Dept of Justice is most assuredly taking a wrong path for supposed equality for the public and Brokers who are NOT members of the National Association of Realtors. They are, as always invited to join and reap the benefits of the NAR services. We certainly DO NOT need a lawsuit from the DOJ--for any reason. I personally support the efforts of NAR in addressing the issues that are brought forth by the DOJ. </body> </HTML>