The National Association of REALTORS®’ Board of Directors approved MLS Statement 8.0, also known as the Clear Cooperation policy, at its meeting in November of 2019. Effective May 1st, 2020, State-Wide MLS will incorporate this policy into our Rules and Regulations. NAR created this policy to address the growing use of off-MLS listings, concluding that leaving listings outside of the broader marketplace excludes consumers, undermining REALTORS®’ commitment to provide equal opportunity to all. The policy doesn’t prohibit brokers from taking office-exclusive listings, nor does it impede brokers’ ability to meet their clients’ privacy needs.
Rationale: Distribution of listing information and cooperation among MLS participants is pro-competitive and pro-consumer. By joining an MLS, participants agree to cooperate with other MLS participants except when such cooperation is not in their client’s interests. The public marketing of a listing indicates that the MLS Participant has concluded that cooperation with other MLS participants is in their client’s interests. This policy is intended to bolster cooperation and advance the positive, procompetitive impacts that cooperation fosters for consumers.
If after reviewing the FAQs you still have questions, please feel free to contact John Breault at john@rirealtors.org or Donna McGinn at donna@rirealtors.org.
Download Printable FAQs (PDF)
- Sign a Non-MLS form and not market the property,
- Sign a Coming Soon form and enter the listing into MLS as Coming Soon. Allows for marketing, but can’t be shown during the Coming Soon period.
- Enter it directly into MLS as an Active listing.