If you’re part of the Matrix MLS Member Help Group on Facebook, I’m sure you’ve seen the discussions surrounding the upcoming rollout of ROAM by GSREIN, the first move towards bringing statewide MLS data into one system. At the same time, there have also been pitches to join Greater Southern MLS, a new provider that’s coming soon.

Both systems claim to be statewide, but since the Shreveport association has already opted to join forces with Texas, neither claim is 100% true.

A reminder before you keep reading:

There is a difference between your association (NOMAR) and your MLS (GSREIN). Lots of agents conflate them in error. Yes, NOMAR owns GSREIN, so technically they are the owners of the MLS, but for the purposes of this discussion, we’re keeping associations separate from MLSs.

Knowledge is power, so let’s break down the current differences between ROAM and Greater Southern.

A quick glance shows that there is very little significant difference between the 2 systems, so I’m puzzled by the push by the large regional brokers to launch a new one unless it has to do with money and control.

When brokers own an MLS, they have the power to decide that only certain tools are offered to their agents, rather than how GSREIN/ROAM operates where all members receive all of the services that they are paying for with their dues.

Why would brokers do this? Because they often have in-house solutions that perform some of the functions offered by the MLS and use those solutions to either charge agents for services or to justify the commission split they charge their agents, particularly new agents and those selling less than $5 million per year.

My Concerns

With the exception of Latter & Blum, the majority of the GSMLS members are on the North Shore and in Lake Charles, representing about 1/3 of the REALTORs in the state, compared to ROAMs members which represent over 75% of REALTORs in Louisiana.

But what happens if Latter & Blum decides to make GSMLS their MLS of choice and pulls out of GSREIN/ROAM?

Everyone else, brokers and agents alike, will be forced to decide if they are willing to join 2 different MLSs and pay for 2 different IDX feeds to ensure that their clients have (1) access to all available listings and (2) exposure to every licensee in the area. This would effectively double costs for everyone involved.

If L&B leaves ROAM and ROAM members decide not to join GSMLS, Latter & Blum agents would be left at a disadvantage because they will have access to the listings of just 1/3 of the current licensees.

Unless a broker is a member of both MLSs, try getting a seller to understand that their listing won’t be exposed to everyone.

Questions

I’d like to know what the status of ShowingTime and lockboxes will be if using one MLS vs the other. Currently, all of the GSREIN lockboxes are coded for GSREIN only and non-members cannot access lockboxes. Will agents will be required to have an inventory of 2 types of lockboxes? Will they need 2 ShowingTime accounts for the different MLSs? Will they need to buy all new lockboxes if their brokerage moves to GSMLS?

What historic sales data will GSMLS offer? Only that of their members, so good luck putting together an accurate CMA if the data you need is split between 2 different systems and you only belong to one.

What perks will the GSMLS sponsors, who paid $3,000 each for the launch, get that won’t be available to other members? They are the ones who will be responsible for setting policy, rules, regulations, and how GSMLS will operate.

There’s the potential for a lot of confusion and it really seems like a money grab to me where everyone is waiting to see who bails on this game of chicken first.

Thoughts? Leave them in the comments or feel free to contact me directly to chat. 504-327-5303

~ Lisa

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