Private listings and Clear Cooperation

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.”

New 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.

The debate focuses on consumers, marketing strategies, flexibility, privacy and even morality. But it’s really about who controls access to the housing market.

The real estate giants accused several MLSs of “actively working against” agents, adding, “we will not accept rules” dictating how listings can be marketed.

Some markets could see inventory go up if sellers have "the option to gauge interest in their homes before listing," according to a Redfin analysis.

CEO 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.

Legislation prohibiting selective marketing of residential properties has cleared the state’s House and Senate and is expected to be signed by the governor.

A 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.”

Divisions 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.

The search portal — and PLN opponent — released an analysis of MLS listings in Chicagoland suggesting that private listings reinforce racial segregation.

In San Francisco, where the typical home costs over $1M, new data indicates the share of on-MLS listings is rising — and off-MLS sellers lose significant sums.

CEO says Elliman is embracing the “power of choice” by providing “private, public, coming-soon, and delayed listing options” with its new exclusive marketplace.

If Compass’ acquisition of Anywhere goes through, it could trigger a private inventory race with major implications for the brokerage ecosystem — and consumers.

Canopy MLS’s “Limited Exposure” setting, which also excludes listings from feeds, is designed to offer flexibility and “restore fairness for everyone involved.”

Do off-market listings “erode trust” with consumers — or are they “a great marketing tool” for sellers? Current and former Compass agents have mixed opinions.

Kamini Lane says her stance hasn’t changed — but in the few cases where listing privately makes sense, her brokerage is committed to providing the best tools.

If large brokerages go all-in on private listings, they would dominate the market, putting smaller firms “right out of business,” a consumer advocate warns.

Watch the conversation with Ed Zorn, CRMLS VP and general counsel, as he shares his take on several pending lawsuits and the fate of the Sitzer/Burnett appeal.

Watch the conversation with Sue Yannaccone as the Anywhere Brands leader talks settlement wins, the role of AI and why leaders must be more future-focused.

A new filing from the top home search site denies wrongdoing, offering a detailed defense of its listings rules as it pushes back on the brokerage’s lawsuit.