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Do you know when an industry stops being dynamic and turns into a cartel. From the anecdotal evidence I have heard, the real estate market in many parts of Maine are exhibiting these symptoms. Instead of worrying about the customer, real estate agents in Maine are too worried about protecting their turf than to serve the customer correctly.

Now this is all changing as 2 former lawmakers are proposing an alternative to the MLS in Maine that will be open to the general public to list and view. We commend these lawmakers and encourage all residents of the state of Maine to find and sign this online petition. The more open the industry, especially in a state like Maine, the better served the population is.

If adopted, the proposed service could compete with a database owned by the Maine Association of Realtors and enable homeowners and developers to list homes for a monthly fee and make the information available to anyone with a computer.
A real estate agent selling a home could be required to list the property with the new service if a homeowner requested that placement.
Two former Republican lawmakers — Stavros Mendros of Lewiston and Adam Mack of Standish — said they are preparing a petition drive this fall to collect the 51,519 signatures needed to place the idea before Maine voters in November 2007. Details are still being developed.
“The goal is to help the little guy save money and make the marketplace more efficient,” Mack, who develops apartment projects, told the Portland Press Herald. He said brokers “control a monopoly.” via Boston.com.

When we get more information on this petition we will keep you informed.

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