Approximately 75% of MLSs are owned by Associations today. With the history of being launched as a for profit arm of trade associations, MLSs naturally adopted the governance models and board make-up of their parent companies. Here’s why I believe that approach is no longer valid.
A second privately owned MLS has opted out of the NAR Anti-Trust Settlement stating that their rules were always more transparent than the standard NAR rules. A truly broker-centric, independent MLS, Resides.io MLS in Hilton Head, South Carolina is launching an inclusive concessions field and options for brokers to upload listing and buyers broker agreements. The organization is also building forms to make it easier for brokers to adapt to the new changes removing compensation as one of the center points of an MLS.
There is very little clarity today about the fast spreading news that Realtor Association shareholders of RE Colorado have given notice that they intend to sell their shares of the MLS to a private equity firm. The Realtor Associations want out of their investment, and it doesn't really matter why. To date no MLS has ever been sold to private equity investors. Some MLSs have been sold outright to fellow Associations and MLS, but to our knowledge, we never seen private equity enter this space until now. This could set off a wave of transactions if private equity starts to pay attention to the profitable business models of Multiple Listing Services.
Because the MLS licenses the data from the broker, they must uphold their side of the bargain.
This may be a make or break moment for MLS.
The industry is moving in a positive direction to eliminate fractionalization of MLS data.
It’s not at all unusual for MLS organizations to be disappointed by the limited adoption of MLS tools among top-producing members. Despite the undeniable benefits these tools offer, many power users seem reluctant to fully embrace them. Since top producers are the ones driving the success of a real estate market, it is imperative to find ways to engage them with training designed for the unique needs of those that complete several transactions per month.
In the ever-evolving landscape of the real estate industry, Multiple Listing Service (MLS) executives face a myriad of risks that have the potential to disrupt operations, tarnish reputation, and compromise data integrity. In such a dynamic environment, proactive risk management is not just advisable — it's imperative. In this article, we'll explore the importance of “scenario planning,” or anticipating and mitigating the worst-case scenario within MLS organizations, and we’ll outline strategies for fostering a culture of preparedness and adaptability.
If you have ListTrac in your market, make a point to review it every month. Be sure to include it in your training and communications.
MLS executives deeply understand the critical role compliance plays in maintaining data accuracy and integrity within their systems. Through the hundreds of thousands of subscribers we have surveyed via the WAV Group Customer Experience Index, we have noticed a correlation between the severity of the tone of compliance communications and overall MLS satisfaction. The way that an MLS communicates compliance issues to its members can significantly impact their perception of the organization and the strength of their collaborative relationship. Finding the right balance between creating a sense of urgency and duty, and angering or frustrating subscribers is a very difficult line to draw.
I think we can all agree at this point that keeping up with technological advancements is no longer a choice but a necessity for success. However, amid the excitement of embracing new technologies, the practical application often gets overlooked. This oversight can hinder agents from leveraging technology to its full potential, especially when it comes to optimizing the sales process.
Real estate agents and brokers are no strangers to the challenges posed by multiple listing service (MLS) systems operating across different regions. This was highlighted in recent results from the WAV Group Customer Experience Index survey, which revealed agents’ and brokers’ desire for consistency in rules and regulations across all MLS systems statewide.
