Thanks
Joe

In addition, it seems like NAR has already spent money in the acquisition of “technology” (as per http://www.realtor.org/press_room/news_releases/2009/11/tech_property). From nar.org: “The technology acquisition includes licensed data and secured data aggregation services from LPS Real Estate Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lender Processing Services Inc. (NYSE:LPS), a leader in real estate technology.”

I suppose part of this technology acquisition included people since RPR is now two Cyberhomes high ups are now on the management team for RPR. Again, I can only assume they are being paid by the membership?

Lastly, the local aspect of it is tenuous at best. As I mentioned in the comment above, I already know where to go to get info for the 10 counties around where I do business. All agents already know this. You need tax data, hit the central appraisal district, you need zoning help, the development center for the city or municipality serving the property, if you want flood data, there’s a GIS system for that.

Since I live here, I already pay for these services in my taxes. Why pay for them to be developed again by NAR for a national scope, when no agents that I’m aware of sell nationally?? Why pay my MLS to have tech folks to support the feeds, why pay national to employ folks to work on it?, Why incur the opportunity cost for other projects that could help our image over another proprietary database that the public can just complain about being more of the same realtors trying to have a monopoly on the market?? I mean who knows, maybe that’s the plan. Use member fees to build the product, let the DOJ complain, then go to the membership telling us that you’re now required to open it up to the public.

Sorry to be so skeptical, but in my 7 years as a REALTOR, I’ve not been all that impressed with the technology direction of NAR as it related to members.

Joe

Also don't get stuck on the national aspect. Sure the RPR will be nationwide, but think of it as local in application…just without local borders. Members will gain access to a new level of sophisticated reporting for use with clients that melds MLS data with other key data such as tax assessments, liens, zoning, permits, environmental, neighborhood, schools and community demographics.