Canopy names new CEO; Bright adds growth leader
Steve Byrd, Canopy MLS’s current VP and CTO, will move into the top leadership role, while Steve Mapes joins Bright MLS as EVP of growth and strategy.
July 29, 2026
MLS/Association News
The organizations, policies and decisions that guide residential real estate.
- NAR outlines strategic plan progress: 'The goal is simple'The association detailed its lobbying efforts, legal wins, policy clarifications and more in its second update on the three-year plan adopted last fall.July 22, 2026
- NAR’s investment arm makes inroads with Mexican associationSecond Century Ventures has partnered with Mexico’s Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios. Plus, RACC joins Stellar MLS as a corporate shareholder.July 22, 2026
- Louisiana association matches NTREIS payments – for Realtors onlyNWLAR’s CEO says the move reaffirms “the MLS as the best point of entry for listings” and signals strong support for “the value of Realtor membership.”July 17, 2026
More in MLS/Assn
- Can NAR build an ethics-monitoring tool — and will it?The trade association’s use of AI for trademark enforcement is raising questions about whether such tools could also help flag member-posted unethical content.July 16, 2026
- ARA takes on first joint advocacy effort with Realtor associationThe ARA has joined Missouri Realtors in advocating against proposed amendments that they say could increase homeowner costs in real estate transfers.July 10, 2026
- NAR’s pre-market guidance stresses broker responsibilitySellers decide their listing’s level of exposure, NAR says. But brokers should explain how each option serves their best interest — and get disclosures signed.Updated July 10, 2026
- Bright’s new rules aim to provide ‘more options,’ ‘more control’The forthcoming listing status options — Registered, Office Exclusive, Coming Soon and Active — align with the MLS’s “Brokers FIRST” strategy introduced in May.July 9, 2026
- MetroTex to match NTREIS broker payments ‘dollar for dollar’The NTREIS shareholder says the announcement "represents a significant investment in the future of organized real estate.” NWLAR is considering a similar move.Updated July 9, 2026
- MLSs ‘a priority’ for NAR’s political advocacyNAR’s lobbying muscle is focused on ensuring MLSs aren’t classified as data brokers — but are recognized by federal agencies as “procompetitive infrastructure.”July 9, 2026
- Texas’ largest MLS to pay brokers in ‘deliberate pivot’The launch of NTREIS Rewards, which echoes earlier actions by other mega MLSs, aims to make broker participants “the focal point of the organization’s purpose.”July 7, 2026
- $100K for antitrust: NAR explains new MLS insurance coverageCyber liability? Crime loss? Antitrust allegations? New insurance offerings aim to protect associations and MLSs from these concerns and others, NAR said.July 7, 2026
- Pre-market, office exclusive listings guidance underway, NAR saysThe new recommendations will cover marketing strategies, disclosure forms, CCP compliance assessments and state-level legislation, among other topics.July 3, 2026
- NAR trades MLS advisory board for ‘work groups’One new group will tackle listing broker attribution, IDX and VOW policy modernization, and the “reimagining” of mandatory policies in the NAR MLS handbook.July 2, 2026
- CRMLS unveils ‘Limited Exposure Coming Soon’ option for sellersIn response to broker feedback, the California-based MLS has added a new option for coming-soon listings allowing sellers to forego broad internet distribution.July 2, 2026
- NAR: We are not abandoning MLSsIn a closed meeting, the trade group defended its new approach to partnering with MLSs and explained the actions it has taken so far in 2026.July 1, 2026
- New integration to give Bright MLS listings a boost on GoogleThrough a partnership with HouseCanary, the Mid-Atlantic MLS’s listings will be promoted nationwide in Google search results starting June 30.June 26, 2026
- NAR to MLSs: ‘Help us protect the Realtor brand’An association attorney said NAR is stepping up trademark enforcement. “We don't want ‘Realtor’ to become synonymous with ‘real estate professional.’”June 25, 2026
- NAR subpoena in PLS legal battle raises questionsARA Co-founder Jason Haber expressed skepticism about the subpoena's relevance to the case: “What does this have to do with a lawsuit about private listings?”June 23, 2026
- NAR rejects proposal to disclose Realtor knowledge gapsNearly an hour was spent debating the idea, with some calling it an “ethical duty” as others said it would “create ‘ahas’ or ‘gotchas’” in NAR’s Code of Ethics.June 19, 2026
- NAR leader on PLNs: Consumer should be ‘able to see everything’Newly elected first vice president Pete Kopf stressed the importance of protecting consumer interests — and responsive leadership — in remarks to directors.June 18, 2026
- CMLS appoints new CEO at a ‘pivotal time’ for the industryJessica Edgerton, chief legal officer at LeadingRE, will join CMLS on July 1. The move, she said, comes “at a moment when our work has never mattered more.”June 11, 2026
- Don’t believe the hype: There is no ‘national MLS’A handful of MLSs have recently opened their doors to agents nationwide — but saying “anyone can join” isn’t the same as having comprehensive data coverage.June 10, 2026
- MARIS fee waiver a response to broker discontent with other MLSsCalling it a “brokerage-agnostic” move, the MLS will waive fees for new subscribers seeking a “stable, reliable” option amid ongoing listing feed disputes.June 3, 2026
