Also, the amount of the reduction is often consistent and you can usually shave 10% or so off with your offer. 

Here are just a few of the reasons I've chosen to get licensed in several states:-  Getting access to listed properties without having another agent present;-  Getting information about property condition through MLS pictures;-  Getting information about seller motivation through MLS private remarks;-  Having the ability to communicate directly with my buyers' lender;-  Having the ability to communicate directly with my buyers' appraiser;- Having the ability to communicate directly with my buyers' inspector;- Having the ability to sweeten an offer by passing my commission to the other party's agent;- Having the ability to submit offers on HUD properties without an intermediary;- Having the ability to print potential comps for appraisers to encourage a strong appraisal;- Getting access to disclosure statements from previous sales;- Getting access to price change history on properties I'm considering purchasing;- Providing negotiating leverage when the other party is represented;- Providing the ability to negotiate short sales (in some states) and submit short sale offers directly to the lender.one thing I like about our MLS system there is a history tab  very easy to get to .. you get the listing history back for 10 years or so.. you can follow price reductions.. sale fails  you know the falling knife this is huge in negotiation.. 

Are properties selling quickly or are they sitting on the market and having multiple price reductions?

Sellers if they want it advertised some place other than the MLS, can not hire a NAR member.Also here, reduction in consumer choice is also an antitrust violation.Compass and Help-U-Sell are both NAR members with marketing plans built around selling off the MLS. 

Unless it for some reason carries weight to you, wouldn't waste my time.

To get an actual $2k reduction in the tax bill, they would have to lower your  tax assessed value about $80k...I doubt that.Andy

I know a lot of places that require a picture of the dog, have weight limits and specifically exclude certain breeds.I would suggest talking to an attorney.

I also agree with the comment above that credit score will have less weight than you might think.

Would not a metal door be a requirement to use and the weather stripping for noise reduction?

I may be giving too much weight to the back yard issue, but it was dragging on me.