Daily Real Estate News  |  November 8, 2004  |   NAR Welcomes GAO Review of Internet Data Display Policies The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSŪ welcomes an inquiry by the General Accounting Office into policies governing the display of multiple listing services data on the Internet and looks forward to working with U.S. Rep. Michael Oxley (R-Ohio), chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives House Financial Services Committee, to answer his questions about the policies. “We’re confident that NAR’s policies on electronic display of MLS information are in the best interest of consumers and the general public," said NAR President Walt McDonald, broker-owner of Walt McDonald Real Estate, Riverside, Calif. "America’s multiple listing services are the most open and competitive systems in the world for sharing information about property for sale. Our reciprocal and voluntary MLS system is one reason America enjoys a record rate of homeownership. “NAR’s policies governing the electronic display of MLS information have made more real estate data more available online than ever before," McDonald continued. "These rules protect sellers’ privacy, their rights to control the marketing of their property, and the integrity of the MLS system at the same time that they make it easier than ever for homebuyers to shop for property online.” —NAR