Pa - West Penn multi-list cost !

[David Lind]

I received an info packet from the West Penn multi-list, and the cost for a solo appraiser is a roughly $5,000 one time cost, plus a monthly fee. They also said that you can "buy" a retiring / exiting appraisers membership for whatever cost they'll sell it for, plus their transfer fee, which was around $3,000 or a little more. So all in all, you're looking at around $5,000 plus a monthly fee to get access. They said there really was no other option. So..... are their any other options to get sales data in Western Pa other than this ? With the slowed pace of business, and a shaky forecast for the near future at least, although the $5,000 is only 15 appraisals @ $325 each, that cost is really hard to come up with all in one chunk. Any ideas ? Thanks.

 

[TC]

$325 an appraisal! Damn, wish I could get that much.

Don't know if you have a RE license or not. If you do you could hang your license with a broker and use their service for 44 bucks/month. That's about your only other option. I bought my membership from another broker for around 1500, but back then the transfer fee was only 750 bucks. Basically, the MLS holds all the cards.


TC

 

[David Lind]

Isle of Malta - Too funny, I get it.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[Charles Knutson]

The Denver MetroList opened up to all brokers and appraisers many years ago -- facing a lawsuit they probably would have lost, they decided to play fair instead.

It costs $300 to $400 to sign up for appraisers and brokers that are not Realtors, and the monthly cost (depending on time used) ranges from $40 to $80.

For a local MLS to price gouge appraisers in this way is shortsighted at the least, and a price fixing restraint of trade at the worst. Appraisers are the gatekeepers that allow lenders to lend, which allows brokers to sell.

I think any group (appraisers, lenders, attorneys, non-Realtor brokers, etc) that has been harmed by this extortionary pricing should consider filing a class action lawsuit -- perhaps the MLS board of directors will see the errors of their ways.

 

[Wendy]

$5K is robbery!

 

[TC]

$5K is robbery!

No, it's the cost of doing business.


TC

 

[Walter Kirk]

It seems to me that it would be much cheaper to get a sales license and hang it with a friendly broker. You may also be able to pay a broker or appraiser for access.

 

[TC]

It seems to me that it would be much cheaper to get a sales license and hang it with a friendly broker. You may also be able to pay a broker or appraiser for access.

That's what most appraisers do around here.


TC

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

No, it's the cost of doing business.

You can be I'd be making it up off a few of the top brokers wanting their commercial deals done...

 

[Mark A Rewbury]

Wow, thats robbery....is it the same for the Philadelpia MLS?