A recent article Real Estate: Anti-discounter law looms in Michigan In CNNMoney.com miss labeled “Agency responsibility” as minimum services. I totally disagree with that position.

As usual the press is telling only part of the story. That is why 10 states have decided to do the right thing and oppose DOJ’s position.

In my personal conversations with the FTC and DOJ they really do not understand what they are trying to regulate problem here comes in understanding what the issue is truly all about. The press calls this issue “minimum services” when it is truly “Agent Responsibility”. The Michigan bill does NOT prohibit a Seller from doing business or working with anyone they wish. It does say that if an Agent takes a listing that they must provide the Seller with advice on any offer and/or counter-offer, how to negotiate and how to put the transaction together. The people opposed to the bill simply want the Seller to be left to their own resources when it comes to figuring out a real estate transaction. If one wants to call these activities minimum services they can, but I personally believe that these are activities any and all agents should be responsible for participating in with all Sellers.

If you really want to see an independent opinion about this whole issue you need to read the article by Blanche Evans “Does House Subcommittee Agree With Oxley’s Realtor Persecution?”. This writer has a unique ability of getting to the real issues and coming up with some good remarks.

What do you think?

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