Internet Empowered Consumers

Impact of XML/DTD/XFDL/XForms

XML provides an application independent way of sharing data. With a DTD (i.e. document type definition), independent groups of people can agree to use a common DTD for interchanging data. Your application can use a standard DTD to verify that data that you receive from the outside world is valid. You can also use a DTD to verify your own data.

The MLS industry as we know it today will cease to exist since the whole Net becomes a virtual MLS regardless of where the data resides or who publishes it. The need for regional listing data aggregators goes away.

The importance of real estate "portal" sites (i.e. REALTOR.com, MS Home Advisor, etc.) will diminish since the consumer will not need to use them for access to the listing data.

Agents will find it increasingly difficult to base their value on being the gatekeepers of proprietary listing data.

Listing data will become increasingly commoditized which could result in decreased listing revenues.

Found this article by doing a search {share of real estate commissions + internet portals} on google