The Real Estate Power Struggle You Need to Know About

Why the MLS Is Outdated; and How Big Tech Is Forcing a Reckoning

The MLS was built in a different era; when control, not transparency, was the goal. Buyers couldn’t access listings unless they had an agent. Sellers had to play by the rules of the big brokerages. And the agents? They held all the keys.

But then came Zillow. Redfin. Trulia. Homes.com.

Technology smashed the gates wide open. Now, buyers and sellers can see almost everything instantly, for free.

And it has shaken the industry to its core.

Remember When You Had to Buy a Car from a Pushy Salesman?

You’d walk onto the lot, unsure and uninformed. The salesman had the pricing, the history, the upper hand.

But now?
You research online.
You compare models.
You know exactly what a car should cost before you even test-drive it.

And guess what? The car industry had to adjust. Salespeople became consultants. The good ones use your data, respect your knowledge, and help you make a smart decision.

That’s what real estate agents need to become. Not gatekeepers; educated guides who use technology to protects their client.

MLS: A Dinosaur Built to Protect the Middleman

Let’s be clear: the MLS still requires you to go through an agent. It was designed that way. Clunky. Exclusive. Hidden behind paywalls and passwords.

Meanwhile, Zillow and Redfin give consumers what they actually want: access.

And now? Big brokerages are panicking. Some, like Compass, are reportedly advising sellers not to list on the MLS at all; keeping listings in-house to double-dip commissions and limit visibility.

That’s not innovation. That’s manipulation.

So, What’s the Solution?

We’re not saying ditch your agent. Buying or selling a home is a huge decision; financially and emotionally. You need a real human on your side.

But not just any agent.

You need someone honest.
Someone who discloses everything they know.
Someone who embraces tech, transparency, and your best interests.

The industry is in the middle of an arm-wrestling match:
Old school vs. New school.
Egos vs. Integrity.
Control vs. Clarity.

Consumers deserve better.

It’s time to stop protecting transactions and start protecting people.