MLS/Association News

An association attorney said NAR is stepping up trademark enforcement. “We don't want ‘Realtor’ to become synonymous with ‘real estate professional.’”

ARA 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?”

Nearly 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.

Newly elected first vice president Pete Kopf stressed the importance of protecting consumer interests — and responsive leadership — in remarks to directors.

Jessica 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.”

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.

Calling it a “brokerage-agnostic” move, the MLS will waive fees for new subscribers seeking a “stable, reliable” option amid ongoing listing feed disputes.

The MLS’s president painted the move as a response to a rapidly shifting industry in which brokers “need tools and marketplaces that evolve” with them.

Kentucky's growing MLS partners with two smaller organizations. Plus, Momentum MLS integrates Gitcha’s Buyer Listing Service; SWMLS collabs with SourceRE.

The MLS is pro-consumer, NAR told the DOJ and FTC, and requested guidance on how to promote cooperation without "facilitating coordination among competitors."

The trade organization highlighted MLSs as collaborative entities that benefit consumers and the real estate industry by sharing and protecting listing data.

Retooling legacy systems, understanding data ownership and knowing what to outsource will be key to operating in an AI-powered world, industry leaders say.

While some leaders see the pre-marketing movement as a threat, others believe the MLS will continue to thrive — as long as it’s “adding value to the ecosystem.”

Amid a flood of brokerage pre-marketing partnerships with MLSs and portals, some leaders fear the industry is abandoning the ideals of cooperation and fairness.

While the Council of Multiple Listing Services has decried private listings, some MLSs have adopted policies that look a lot like Compass’ 3-phased approach.

WARDEX’s new name, Momentum MLS, is “a promise,” Board President Kim Huft said. Plus, active inventory climbs at MARIS as the multi-state MLS pushes for growth.

The Tennessee-based MLS announced it would expand its service across the U.S., following in the footsteps of Chicago’s MRED.

Georgia, Tenn. and Alabama MLSs team up. Plus, Broker Public Portal to power home search for Northstar, Metrolist; Illinois Realtors partners with MRED; more.

CRMLS CEO Art Carter and Bright MLS CEO Brian Donnellan grapple with how to respond as more brokers seek alternatives to the MLS to promote their listings.

Nykia Wright discusses the association’s derisking strategy, why the three-way agreement is an “important authoritative asset” and NAR’s long path ahead.