<HTML> <HEAD> <title>WebForm1</title> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 7.1"> <meta name="CODE_LANGUAGE" content="Visual Basic .NET 7.1"> <meta name="vs_defaultClientScript" content="JavaScript"> <meta name="vs_targetSchema" content="http://schemas.microsoft.com/intellisense/ie5"> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content='text/html; charset=UTF-8'> </HEAD> <body > <TABLE id="Table1" cellSpacing="1" cellPadding="1" width="100%" border="0"> <TR> <TD><b>Comment Number:</b></TD> <TD>518795-00154</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>Received Date:</b></TD> <TD>10/21/2005 9:05:32 PM</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>Organization:</b></TD> <TD>Prudential St. George Realty</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>Commenter:</b></TD> <TD>Ohlwiler, Rod</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>State:</b></TD> <TD>UT</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>Agency:</b></TD> <TD>Federal Trade Commission</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>Rule:</b></TD> <TD>Competition Policy and the Real Estate Industry</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><b>Docket ID:</b></TD> <TD>To Be Added</TD> </TR> <TR> <td colspan='2'>No Attachments</td> </TR> </TABLE> <hr/> <b>Comments:</b><br/><br/> RE: Competition and the Real Estate Workshop" -- Comment, Project No. V050015 Dear FTC... The real estate industry is a model of competition that works. In an economy in which large, national corporations -- such as Wal-Mart and Microsoft -- dominate the marketplace, real estate stands apart. We are an industry made up predominantly of small businesses and independent contractors who represent the entrepreneurial spirit this country was founded on. I am a licensed real estate broker in Utah, and I can tell you from experience, my business is VERY competitive. I have to compete for every listing I take - both in service, the commission I charge, and the marketing I do. I also have to compete for buyers - as many times, some consumers are working with more than 1 Realtor - which they do not always tell you! All of us serve localized markets where we compete for business every day. Fierce competition is fueled largely by the uniquely intense and personalized nature of the service we provide to our clients -- which, in turn, determines our future success through referrals and return business. Barriers to entry are low. If you are willing to take the time to learn the business in your local market, pass the state license examination and adhere to the REALTOR&reg; code of ethics, there is nothing to stand in the way of success in this industry. I had to learn the business and pass the state licensing examination, but it is my own work ethic, commitment to professional standards and dedication to client satisfaction that determine my success. Please keep in mind that the real estate industry is VERY competitive, and to try to restrict us or limit us further, would severely harm my income. Thank you. Rod Ohlwiler Prudential St. George Web: rodusa.com&nbsp;&nbsp;<A name=RDACT1></A> </body> </HTML>