The Chicago federal court on Nov. 27 allowed the Department of Justice’s antitrust suit against the Realtors to proceed. The DOJ argues that Realtors limit competition from some brokers.

It’s one of those very gray lines where both side of the coin makes sense, again depending on which side you are. 

Brokers who operate password-protected sites for potential home buyers, called called "virtual office websites" or "VOWs," offer the same information a real live broker can, is at the center of the debate.

Consumers using a VOW broker can search databases of local property listings.  It is a case of a modern technology knocking at the door of an industry that has not fully embraced it or made sense of it.  Readers of my blog know I come from a technical background and have no problem with technology.  However, I have a problem with how it is marketed in some cases.

In a nut shell, this is a case of full paying members not wanting another member who does not pay full dues have complete access to their search.  In other words, why should I pay full price so that another discount broker will use my work.  It needs to be fair and Realtor will have to find a solution one way or another. I don’t believe blocking will work in the long run.  Hopefully this will lead to a lowering of fees, a revamping of our aging system and a broadening of services easily accessible to all while keeping the paying members as prime interest.

Strangely enough, the press didn’t cover this.

Here is the original article.