North Texas' largest association now even bigger after merger 

Editor's note: From regional and statewide players to locals focused on a single market, multiple listings services and Realtor associations are the backbone of residential real estate. Here we highlight some of the latest news about the organizations that are shaping the future of the industry.

A Texas merger creates one of the largest local associations in the US

Members of the MetroTex Association of Realtors and Collin County Area Realtors (CCAR) have voted to approve a merger, forming a unified organization with nearly 40,000 members, the associations announced this week. 

News of the planned merger was first publicized by MetroTex on March 28. 

The combined organization, which will use the MetroTex name, will become the largest local association in North Texas and the fourth-largest local association in the U.S., bumping the Long Island Board of Realtors out of the No. 4 spot, according to data from T3 Sixty's Real Estate Almanac. 

"This is more than a merger — it's a bold move to amplify our collective voice," said Johnny Mowad, president of the Irving-based MetroTex. "We're creating one of the strongest real estate networks in the country."

The move is expected to deliver significant benefits to the associations' expanded subscriber base, according to a news release, including enhanced advocacy power, streamlined operations and more professional development opportunities. The merger could also mean lower costs for members, the organizations said, particularly those who previously needed to subscribe to both Dallas-Fort Worth area associations. 

Some things won't change, however. According to the associations' new "Stronger Together" website, the merger will not result in any staff reductions, and CCAR's Plano headquarters will remain open.

"We're approaching this transition with focus and care to ensure a smooth experience for every member," said MetroTex CEO Justin Landon, who will lead the merged association. Landon joined MetroTex in early 2024 after serving as CEO of Kentucky's Bluegrass Realtors for six years. 

Florida Gulf Coast MLS gets an upgrade

Florida Gulf Coast MLS (FGC MLS) has officially launched its enhanced Matrix system and autonomous MLS database, a move that demonstrates its commitment to providing its 9,500 subscribers with the latest technology while elevating its existing data shares across Southwest Florida, the company recently announced.

The upgrade has been in development for nearly a year in partnership with tech provider Cotality (formerly CoreLogic). 

The system updates were designed to preserve the user experience subscribers rely on — with no added cost for members — while integrating custom features and expanding the data shares established with Bonita Springs-Estero Realtors and the Naples Area Board of Realtors in 2011, according to a news release.

"This upgrade is about more than tech — it's about control, agility, and growth," Sean O'Brien, CEO of FGC MLS, said in the announcement. "We now own our infrastructure and our future."

By cloning the Matrix platform and replicating the MLS database, FGC MLS said it gains the flexibility to deploy improvements quickly, address system needs directly and support other MLSs seeking white-labeled solutions.

"This marks a major leap forward for scalability and service delivery," noted Jason Jakus, director of technology and MLS at FGC MLS. "And we did it without burdening our partners with additional costs."