Washington’s new private listings law ‘purposefully vague’
The real estate marketing law, which took effect June 11, would seem to prohibit Compass Private Exclusives — but the brokerage interprets it differently.
June 11, 2026
Clear Cooperation and private listings
- Industry has phased marketing debate all wrong, paper saysA recent WAV Group white paper seeks to reframe the debate dividing the industry by comparing coming-soon and private listings to a company’s IPO preparation.June 8, 2026
- Connecticut governor signs bill restricting private listingsAgents working with sellers must make listings “available to the general public” concurrent with any public marketing, such as lawn signs or social media posts.Updated June 8, 2026
- NAR listing guides aim to promote ‘clear understanding’ of intentAmid public disagreements between brokerages, portals and MLSs about “objective criteria” for the display of listings, NAR hopes to provide clarity.May 29, 2026
More Clear Cooperation and private listings
- When the MLS becomes a weapon, consumers pay the priceUsing the MLS system to restrict access, punish competitors or advance one's interests at the expense of the market costs the consumer more than anyone else.May 27, 2026
- MLSs must adapt to ‘structural shift’ in listing strategiesWhile 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.”May 20, 2026
- MLS CEOs warn of fragmentation, ‘shadow’ market, erosion of trustAmid a flood of brokerage pre-marketing partnerships with MLSs and portals, some leaders fear the industry is abandoning the ideals of cooperation and fairness.May 18, 2026
- The MLS dilemma: Resist — or join — the pre-marketing movementWhile the Council of Multiple Listing Services has decried private listings, some MLSs have adopted policies that look a lot like Compass’ 3-phased approach.May 15, 2026
- Survey: Most CRMLS users support Clear CooperationMore than two-thirds of agents took a supportive or neutral stance. Criticism was largely focused on the difficulty of meeting the one-day listing requirement.May 12, 2026
- Zillow, Realtor.com joining forces on ‘Preview’ listingsLess than two months after the portals launched competing pre-market listings programs, the search giants have now agreed to collaborate on listing display.May 5, 2026
- Majority of agents ‘would not recommend’ private listingsConsumer interest also appears low, with nearly 70% of agents saying no client has asked for their home to be marketed privately, a Real Brokerage survey found.April 20, 2026
- Commission changes haven’t killed deals, but ‘worrisome trends’ loomA new CFA report found that homebuyers haven’t been deterred by agent fees, but affordability remains a problem, and “pocket listings” are an emerging threat.April 17, 2026
- Zillow economist calls out Redfin for ‘mischaracterizing’ researchA study suggesting that pre-marketing could lead to an inventory boost has been criticized by Zillow Chief Economist Mischa Fisher: “The math doesn't hold up.”April 8, 2026
- Why HomeSmart said ‘no’ to exclusive distributionAs new distribution models emerge, the industry faces a fundamental question: Maintain an open marketplace or control access to listings?April 7, 2026
- Confronting real estate’s ‘very destructive’ narrativeBrown Harris Stevens CEO Bess Freedman draws a clear line between private listings and PLNs: “You have to be honest” about days on market, she says.April 4, 2026
- NWMLS counterclaim strikes back at Compass over ‘deceptive scheme’The Washington-based MLS, which was sued by the brokerage a year ago, said it’s fighting “a battle for the future of the American real estate market.”Updated April 3, 2026
- Pocket listings really do sell for more — at least in DallasNew research analyzing 20 years of metro-area transactions found that homes sold off-market earned a 1.7% premium — but the findings may not apply elsewhere.April 1, 2026
- Private listings aren’t about choice — they’re about powerThe debate focuses on consumers, marketing strategies, flexibility, privacy and even morality. But it’s really about who controls access to the housing market.March 28, 2026
- Compass, Rocket to MLS leaders: ‘We can no longer stand idly by’The real estate giants accused several MLSs of “actively working against” agents, adding, “we will not accept rules” dictating how listings can be marketed.Updated March 20, 2026
- Pre-marketing could boost housing supply by over 10%: RedfinSome markets could see inventory go up if sellers have "the option to gauge interest in their homes before listing," according to a Redfin analysis.March 17, 2026
- Howard Hanna takes a ‘middle ground’ approach to pre-marketingCEO Hoby Hanna believes the new HannaList initiative, which he says will abide by MLS rules, offers sellers a chance to build momentum prior to a public launch.March 12, 2026
- Washington private listings bill could soon be the lawLegislation prohibiting selective marketing of residential properties has cleared the state’s House and Senate and is expected to be signed by the governor.March 6, 2026
- Washington Realtors backs bill targeting private listingsA bill introduced this week in the Wash. State Legislature would require selectively marketed homes to also be publicly accessible “in some way, shape or form.”January 13, 2026
- The Ten: Private listings in the spotlight — and the courtroomDivisions over private listings deepened in 2025, with major industry players going head-to-head and others warning of the risks to a fair and open market.December 5, 2025
