First, Realtors don't pass laws. They can lobby, and they do it well, but it's the state governments elected by the people who pass the laws. Every law restricts something. These state laws usually put up barriers to entry into the real estate field by requiring significant education and license fees to be paid to the state. Most prohibit fixing commission prices, as all are intended to protect the consumer of real estate services. According to the article, in question is NAR's pending bylaw to preclude online brokers, so-called "limited service" brokers from having access to MLS information. This bylaw isn't yet effective, as there is still ongoing negotiation with the Justice Dept. to make sure it's legal first.
Second, I agree w/ cbkaty's reply, and disagree with you that 6% commissions are exhorbitant. Listing commissions depend entirely on the property being listed. I'd list a hot seller (read that as little or no advertising expense other than MLS) for 1-2% on my side and pay 3% to the selling broker, which is usually split with the selling broker's salesperson. Typical sales agent take on a transaction is only 1.5%.
Properties needing a lot of extra work - overpriced for the market, high crime area, large dogs, long drive to town, problem renter-occupied, or other unusually difficult properties should have higher commission rates - some much higher, with extra bonuses, cash drawings, and other incentives paid by the listing broker. Once all the players are compensated and the advertising bills and overhead paid, it's not making anybody rich.
For instance, a typical sale in the Texas market I'm in is cheap - $127k for the median home. A 6% commission on that transaction is $7,620. Almost always it will be split by the listing broker and the selling broker, so $3,810 per side. Out of that the listing broker pays all of the advertising expense and office overhead (rent, utilities, etc.). The selling broker splits the other half with the selling agent and pays office overhead on his side. Selling agent in this theoretical transaction takes home $1,905. Out of that he's got to pay federal income tax, social security, medicare, his MLS dues and state license fees, business property taxes, liability and health insurance, car lease/note, and don't forget the price of gas these days. It costs an agent sometimes hundreds of dollars per prospective buyer. Not all buyers close with that agent, or even close at all. To clear $50k a year, an agent would have to close three to four typical transactions per month. Most don't. Some outstanding agents do more. The best do much more.
Regarding access to the MLS networks (raybbr reply #23) - Realtors built the networks. They pay for the networks. They update the information in the networks daily for listings, sales, property information, showing directions, etc. Nobody else other than Realtors should have access to the MLS. There are many other options available for FSBOs and those using limited service firms, but they should not have access to the Realtors MLS market information. It's proprietary. Bought and paid for. < /soapbox >
Re post #85, last paragraph:
Right on the money.......most people use a realtor to act as a filter........and in turn a typical buyer will not give up personal info as req'd in say a rental (employment history etc.)
As a house rule, I won't show a property to an unqualified buyer......it is almost always a waste of time and money. To qualify a buyer is someting I consider part of the service and it separates the wheat from the chaff. FSBO deals can tie up a property for weeks only to have it revealed that the buyer couldn't qualify for the mortgage.