There’s always something to howl about.

Why can’t the MLS or the mafia innovate? And what should you do instead of being an NAR goon?

Today, Redfin.com CEO Glenn Kelman warns us that we may be “outsourcing our brains” because MLS systems are so stupid:

I worry about whether the fundamental choice we made five years ago was the right choice, that if we played by the rules and used MLS data that we would be able to build a better Web site or a worse Web site. And, I think, the jury is still out there. But, I promise you, if brokers aren’t building the best Web sites for real estate consumers, we are headed for pain. Pain for the customer, pain for the broker.

For weeks now I’ve been sitting on a post by FBS CEO Michael Wurzer summarizing half-a-dozen non-starter ideas for MLS innovation. I’ve been waiting, so far in vain, for someone to post a comment stating the obvious:

Why can’t the MLS innovate? For the same reasons the mafia and the government can’t innovate: Criminals steal so they won’t have to produce wealth.

When BloodhoundBlog Unchained comes to Anaheim, we’ll be covering lots of nuts and bolts tactics for the hard-working grunts on the ground — as you would expect. But we’ll also be talking about very big ideas, most notably how to run our business like a business and not a crime syndicate.

I know Realtors don’t like to hear the truth about how the National Association of Realtors has behaved over the past 100 years, but just as with the leviathan state, the time we have left for childish stupidity is running out.

I can’t cause the congenital Rotarian Socialists of the NAR to discover, honor and live up to their humanity. But I can show you how to build a lasting business you can be proud of — by behaving like an honest trader and not like a predator.

I am not anti-NAR. I am not anti-MLS. I am not even anti-socialist or anti-graft or anti-sleaze. What I am is pro-values. If you will give me a few minutes of your time, I will show you how working with integrity in the real estate business is as simple as pursuing your own values — exclusively.

If you can’t stand being told that the NAR way is the life of a parasite, don’t come, at least not for my part of the show. You are at war with your own mind, and you will learn nothing new while you indulge that sulky, absurd obsession.

But that’s just more “anti” idiocy, anyway. If you lend me your attention, and if you ruminate on the techniques I will be teaching, I can help you find a completely different way of living — a better, cleaner, more fulfilling life in business, but a finer, more-rapturous life overall. Call it “The Splendor of Real Estate Sales and Marketing.” And then reflect that I’m just the tenth part of your C-note: “Ten bucks for a brand new you!”

Your mind is supple and the world is young. Come dancing with me in Anaheim, with me and with the other dogs who will be there, and with our guests. I promise to challenge everything you’ve ever thought, and I pray you will do me the same favor. What comes of that will be a Scenius, and we will all become smarter, happier, more productive people.

That’s funny, isn’t it? The hurdle to be leapt isn’t the money — the whole ten hour show will be a smokin’ deal for ninety-nine bucks. The leap is the risk of losing your religion, as it were. I have no answer for that. I never say anything I’m not prepared to defend, and I hope I never fail to yield to a better argument. But: If you can bear up to hearing the NAR’s predatory faith challenged, at a minimum you will find yourself in the company of a roomful of equally strong minds.

In the end what I’m promising you is Stone Soup: I’m bringing the stone. Brian Brady is bringing the kettle. Y’all are bringing everything else. But all of us will feast together on a meal none of us could make alone. Is that something you can afford to miss?
 
 

BloodhoundBlog Unchained in Anaheim
Friday, November 11, 2011
12 Noon to 10 pm
Cortona Inn & Suites Anaheim Resort
2029 South Harbor Boulevard
Anaheim, CA 92802
714-971-5000

Make the Scene: $99