Dear Ms. Aitken and the federal government: Make us an offer.

It’s clearly obvious that the MLS system is NOT a monopoly, as alleged by our “federal friends.”

There are many ways that consumers can list their property on MLS, from the traditional full-service model to models like Best Value Real Estate in Ottawa. There’s even a new hybrid model, started by a credit union in Vernon B.C.

So what’s the real agenda here?

Sounds to me like a “potential buyers tactic” – of beating up on the property you want to buy, then coming in with a low-ball offer and trying to convince the seller (the 100,000 Realtors who own our system) that you are doing us a favour. Come on, we’ve seen this tactic 1,000 times.

So stop beating around the bush and make us an offer, with a 20-per-cent non-refundable deposit. I haven’t discussed this with CREA, but I think the asking price should be $250 million. Realtor.ca is a gem; it’s the only one like it in the world. It cannot be replaced. It’s the price of a few new F-16s for the Air Force. Cheap!

Our offer is open for acceptance ONLY until May 30, 2010 at noon. If your negotiations to purchase Realtor.ca, are not successful, then it’s only fair that you pay our legal expenses. If we do not come to an agreement, you are free to take your agenda to some other industry and leave ours alone. We’ve proven that your allegations have no merit.

And to my fellow Realtors in Canada, please remember these federally backed “negotiations” the next time an election is called. One hundred thousand votes will send a really clear message.

Gordon Halkett

President

www.VICondos.com

Licensee in B.C. for 33 years