A new 3-way data share in the Southeast; 2 MLSs partner with BPP 

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.

New data share demonstrates how MLSs 'should work together'

First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS), Greater Chattanooga Realtors and ValleyMLS have formed a three-way data-sharing agreement connecting markets across parts of Alabama, Georgia and eastern Tennessee.

The partnership gives brokers and agents reciprocal access to listings and market data within their existing MLS platforms, removing the need for multiple logins and expanding listing visibility across a broader regional footprint. The move reflects a wider push among the MLSs to improve efficiency and data access, according to FMLS, which formed a similar partnership with three Alabama MLSs in Jan. 2025.

Leaders from the three groups said the agreement is intended to help members better serve clients whose home searches cross state lines while increasing exposure for sellers and inventory visibility for buyers.

"This is exactly how MLS organizations should work together, by removing barriers and helping real estate professionals serve consumers wherever opportunity exists," FMLS President and CEO Jeremy Crawford said.

Greater Chattanooga Realtors CEO Carol Seal said the partnership gives members "more opportunities to serve clients, market listings, and access critical data across a broader regional footprint."

NorthstarMLS, CREB partner with Broker Public Portal

Minnesota-based NorthstarMLS and California Real Estate Brokers, Inc. (CREB) have announced new partnerships with Broker Public Portal (BPP).

NorthstarMLS is partnering with BPP to power a new consumer home search platform aimed at improving data accuracy and broker connections, according to a news release.

The platform will use BPP technology, including Cribio's AI-powered natural language search, to help consumers find agent-verified property information while maintaining broker attribution and MLS data integrity. Listings will also gain additional exposure through Cribio.com, expanding reach across BPP's network.

The partnership reflects NorthstarMLS's efforts to keep real estate professionals "front and center to the consumer home search experience," according to Tim Dain, CEO of NorthstarMLS.

BPP CEO Dan Troup praised the MLS for "setting the pace for AI innovation in real estate" and "taking decisive action rather than waiting for others to move."

CREB, the majority shareholder of MetroList MLS, has also partnered with BPP to syndicate MetroList listings to Cribio.com. CREB will become a unit holder in BPP as part of the agreement.

The move reflects a broader effort by MLSs and broker groups to maintain control over listing data and how it is presented online while offering a more transparent search experience for buyers and sellers, according to a news release.

"As brokers, we have a responsibility to ensure our listings are showcased in environments that align with our values and preserve the integrity of our data," CREB President Isom Coleman said.

Partnering with BPP gives CREB "the opportunity to regain control, placing our listings on a platform that prioritizes transparency, data accuracy, and direct connections between the consumer and the professionals who represent those properties," Coleman added.

Illinois Realtors strikes a deal with MRED

Illinois Realtors and Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) have entered a partnership that will allow Illinois Realtors members to access the MLS's data, the two organizations told HousingWire. 

The announcement came less than a week after MRED opened access to all licensed agents across the country, with Compass International Holdings signing on as MRED's first brokerage partner.

Illinois Realtors CEO Jeff Baker told HousingWire that the move represents "our number one belief that the MLS continues to provide a critical service to Realtors" both in his state and across the nation, adding that it "creates the best, most efficient and most consumer friendly marketplace" for serving both buyers and sellers.

Real Estate News has reached out to MRED and Illinois Realtors for additional information.

MIBOR BLC partners with Gitcha to add buyer data

MIBOR Broker Listing Cooperative is partnering with Gitcha to integrate a buyer-focused listing service into its MLS, aiming to improve transparency and collaboration around buyer demand.

The partnership brings Gitcha's Buyer Listing Service — a product launched in early 2025 — into the BLC, allowing members to access structured data on buyer preferences such as location, budget and financing timelines within a single platform. The integration is designed to move buyer demand from informal channels into a centralized system, giving agents greater visibility into opportunities and supporting more coordinated market activity.

The organizations said the additional demand data may also inform decisions for affiliates, builders and investors seeking insight into local market needs.

"When both sides of the marketplace are visible, cooperative, and respected, the entire industry moves forward together," said Shelley Specchio, president and CEO of the central Indiana-based BLC.

Gitcha CEO Dan Cooper described the BLC as an "early visionary in recognizing how the MLS industry can support the agent community with better cooperation and insights by strengthening buyer representation."

"They helped shape the platform, and they are leading the way for MLSs nationwide," Cooper added.

Editor's note: AI was used in the initial drafting of this content, which was then thoroughly reviewed, fact-checked and revised by a Real Estate News editor.