The short answer is “yes”. There has been much confusion in the Media around the Realtor MLS access. Not since the HST (and no, you do not pay HST on a Resale home purchase-just the services) has there been so much head scratching about what the impact is for the consumer and their Real Estate.
Essentially, nothing has changed other than Realtors are able to offer fewer services than before if they decide to and the consumer may decide to hire a Realtor who does this if they feel they need fewer services. However, the Realtor is still integral in the usage and responsibility of the MLS data.
So what does this really mean? It means that a consumer can hire a Brokerage to merely post the listing on MLS and offer the property for sale to cooperating brokers and their clients. At this time, around 1 in 4 properties posted on MLS actually sell. What that means in reality is that a mere posting on MLS doesn’t typically sell a property. So why would someone be tempted to pay for something that will likely not work in 75% of the cases and put themselves at risk in an unrepresented position throughout the sales process?
There are a number of factors that are essential to realize a successful sale. They include but are not limited to: a thorough price analysis, posting of the listing, verifying the details for MLS, preparation of the marketing materials, exposure of the property to cooperating brokers and their qualified buyers, vetting of potential latent defects and other pertinent information about the property, following protocols in compliance with the Real Estate and Business Broker’s Act and the Code of Ethics, FINTRAC, The Privacy Act, Board rules and bylaws, coordinating showings, home inspections and facilitating negotiations to insure that their client’s interests are represented, following the transaction to closing including buyer visits and appraisals. When these factors are aligned, a successful transaction will occur and close. In the case of most listings/postings, this is not achieved despite the best efforts of the Realtor. That is the truth.
It is a difficult process and your traditional Realtor is constantly competing and striving against the odds for a successful outcome in which he or she is fully vested.
In my opinion, when it comes to the management of the biggest cornerstone of your wealth portfolio, you should hire a trained, full service licensed Realtor. Do some homework and find one you trust. Someone who does this all day. For a living. It is the best decision you will make when it comes to your Real Estate.