The MLS Works Well For Buyers and Sellers:

In response to the recent media coverage regarding private exclusive listings, I want to add some of my perspective to this conversation.

My concern is not just about listing strategy. My concern is about access and representation of the majority of home buyers and home sellers.

Access to listing inventory and access to opportunity are are very important to our industry. When we shift toward controlled distribution, private networks, or off-market listings, the majority of home buyers and sellers do not benefit from these moves.

Our MLS system works because it is designed for open and honest display of information: It has done a great job of that for decades.

The Power of the Level Playing Field

For decades, the MLS system has been an effective and transparent marketplace. It ensures an open and honest display of information, creating a level playing field where every buyer has a chance to compete and every seller receives maximum exposure. When we move toward walled gardens, we aren’t just changing a business model—we are potentially creating barriers to homeownership.

ARMLS and Data Integrity:

Here in our Arizona market, we are served by ARMLS. I believe this system has been a great asset for many years. Many people don’t understand how important it is to have accurate data. Our industry benefits greatly from a centralized system where REALTORs share listing and transaction data.

Many people don’t understand where most of the data comes from when they are searching online for a home. Data and industry integrity are paramount to accurate and up-to-date information. Almost everyone agrees with that.

The MLS Works Better Than A Walled Garden:

If sellers believe the lie that says a walled garden is good for anyone but the broker and or the broker’s shareholders, they are most often mistaken.

Limiting access to information tends to benefit the brokers looking to protect their inventory and to keep sales in-house to enhance their bottom line.

Major investors have been moving into the real estate and technology space for years. The line between transparency, advocacy and representation is easily blurred by the all mighty dollar.

Our role should be to serve individual clients. If we limit listing exposure, we need to be honest about who that impacts most.

Expanding access to homeownership should always take priority. Any shift in our industry that moves in another direction is a hinderance to all.

The real estate industry should stay committed to transparency, full exposure, and to representing the interests of buyers and sellers.

Listing Exposure: The MLS Is Our Greatest Tool

As REALTORS®, our primary goal should be simple: We are fiduciaries. We should always look to represent the best interests of our clients. We place their interest above our own and certainly above the bottom lines of our firms or their investors. Lately, however, a shift in our industry appears to be threatening that core principle.

The rise of “private exclusives” and “walled garden” listing networks is being marketed as an innovation, but we must ask ourselves: Who does this actually serve?

Screw what’s best for the Seller, we want to make more money so we’ll wrap this in a lie that says it’s a good option for the public.

Managing Perception vs. Maximizing Outcomes

A seller’s best interest is almost always served by the widest possible exposure to the market. Limiting that exposure to a specific firm’s private network often serves the broker’s interest by keeping sales in-house and providing inventory for their own lead generation.

As real estate and technology spaces continue to merge, and major investors push for higher margins, we must protect the consumer. Our role is to ensure that the “all-mighty dollar” does not replace the duty of representation.

Access Must Come First

Expanding access to homeownership should be a priority. Our integrity depends on our commitment to transparency and full market exposure. We cannot allow the progress we’ve made in creating an open market to be set back by decades in the name of “proprietary networks.” Especially when said networks exist strictly as massive profit centers.

This is a moment for the real estate industry to stand together. We must lead in a way that keeps the door to homeownership open for everyone. We must ensure that the trust our clients place in us is never sacrificed for a firms financial gain.

In the real estate industry, open access to information should be paramount.