Road to MLS still rocky.

The real estate industry has hit a few bumps in the road, but is still on course to create the city's first multiple listing service, according to an industry spokesman.

"We're trying to do a joint venture with over 100 firms. Anytime you try to do something with 100 firms, you're going to have problems," said Steven Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York. "We're having our share of problems."

Spinola, who has been designated as a spokesman for the issue under an agreement reached by the firms involved, acknowledged that disagreements have emerged as the industry continues its efforts to create a web-based system for sharing information among brokers. But he said none of the major firms involved in the initiative have withdrawn their support for creating a multiple listing service.

"Nobody has splintered off. Depending on who you talk to and what time of day it is, some may have disagreements about the decisions being made," he said.

When individual firms -- such as Brown Harris Stevens, the Corcoran Group, and Sotheby's International Realty -- were contacted regarding the multiple listing service initiative, officials from the firms either refused to comment or referred calls to Spinola.

The industry has been trying for about a year to create a multiple listing service, or MLS, which would dictate guidelines under which firms would share information in the buying and selling of residential real estate. Despite its use being widespread across the country, the New York City real estate industry has shown an historic reluctance towards creating an MLS.

The initiative became controversial last summer when two groups of firms were working on separate efforts to create similar types of services. Throughout the effort, REBNY has been serving as a facilitator with Spinola currently serving as a non-voting member of the board overseeing the initiative. Despite the rift, the two groups were successful in merging their efforts. On Oct. 31, the industry announced a united MLS effort and launched the web site nymls.com geared towards public use.

So far 87 firms are participating in the web site, which is a clearinghouse for residential sales and rentals in Manhattan, and another 50 firms are interested in joining.

A new, revamped site that will be named nyhomesearch.com will be launched soon, Spinola said.

"Every significant firm is on the web site," he said.

Spinola, who said REBNY would serve in whatever capacity the board requests, is optimistic that the industry will be successful in creating some type of listing service.

"it may not a full-blown MLS. In fact, it probably won't be," he said.