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MLS/Associations

De-risking the MLS: CEOs say consumer friendliness is the best line of defense

CMLS, HWmember, MLS, MLS/Associations, NorthstarMLS, northwest mls, Real Estate, SmartMLS /

The legal teams at multiple listing services (MLS) have been getting quite the workout over the past few years, first with the commission lawsuits and more recently with lawsuits related to Realtor association membership and MLS access. Given these circumstances MLSs are naturally looking for ways to lower their legal risk portfolio, with “derisking” being […]

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‘It’s complicated:’ brokers talk navigating MLS relationships at CMLS

Brokerage, California Regional MLS, CMLS, HWmember, MLS, MLS/Associations, Real Estate /

According to Craig Cheatham, the president and CEO of The Realty Alliance, if you were to assign a Facebook relationship status to the relationship between MLSs and brokers it would be “it’s complicated.”  “The MLS is at once the most valuable tool of the broker and, at the same time, it is the thing at

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Compass-Anywhere deal sparks MLS reckoning

California Regional MLS, CMLS, Compass, HWmember, MLS, MLS/Associations, National Association of Realtors, Real Estate /

For many in the multiple listing services (MLS) industry, Monday’s announcement that Compass was acquiring Anywhere served as a wake-up call of sorts.  Over the past year, Compass has worked to grow its stockpile of exclusive listings, but many did not consider the Robert Reffkin-helmed firm a serious threat to the MLS structure, due to

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Breaking away: MLSs explore separation from Realtor associations

CMLS, Florida Realtors, Houston Association of Realtors, HWmember, MLS, MLS/Associations, Real Estate, Realtor, SmartMLS /

In many real estate markets across the country, the local and state Realtor associations are one and the same with the local multiple listing service (MLS). However, as the real estate industry evolves, many are calling for MLSs and associations to consider “a separation of church and state.”  “For me, chocolate covered raisins are the

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NAR faces new Whittman antitrust suit over membership structure

Greater Capital Area Association of Realtors, Legal, Maryland Realtors, MLS, MLS/Associations, National Association of Realtors, Northern Virginia Association of Realtors, Real Estate, Virginia, Virginia Realtors, Washington, D.C. /

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) may have been dismissed from two lawsuits related to its three-way membership agreement, but that didn’t stop William Whittman from filing his own suit on Friday. Whittman, who is a licensed broker in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia, is suing NAR, Virginia Realtors, Northern Virginia Association of Realtors, Maryland Realtors

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Compass’s Anywhere deal raises questions about industry power shifts

Anywhere, Brokerage, Compass, HWmember, Mergers and Acquisitions, MLS, MLS/Associations, Real Estate, Wall Street, Zillow /

For Anywhere Real Estate, news of its acquisition by Compass, generated quite a bit of interest in its stock, thanks to the excitement of what this deal means for the future of the company.  The real estate conglomerate saw its stock price rise from $7 at close of market on Friday to over $11 at

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The Compass deal to buy Anywhere draws applause and alarm

Anywhere, Brokerage, Compass, HWmember, Mergers and Acquisitions, MLS, MLS/Associations, National Association of Realtors, Real Estate, Zillow /

After over a decade in the industry, real estate brokerage Compass has amassed its fair share of critics and supporters. While industry leaders may have differing opinions on the Robert Reffkin-helmed firm, most seem to agree that Compass’s deal to acquire Anywhere Real Estate is impressive. “Congrats to Robert Reffkin,” Anthony Lamacchia, the broker-owner of

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Zillow faces class-action suit over Premier Agent, Flex commissions

Commission Lawsuit, Lawsuit, Legal, MLS/Associations, Real Estate, Regulatory Compliance, Zillow, Zillow Premier Agent /

Zillow is facing yet another lawsuit. Filed on Friday in U.S. District Court in Seattle, the lawsuit alleges that the portal tricks consumers into using agents affiliated with Zillow through its Flex and Premier Agent programs, resulting in inflated home purchase prices.  The suit was filed by Alucard Taylor, who purchased a home in Portland, Oregon,

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Stellar MLS, Miami Realtors sign reciprocal access agreement

Bright MLS, Florida, HWmember, MLS, MLS/Associations, Partnerships, Real Estate /

Stellar MLS, the largest MLS in Florida, and the Miami Association of Realtors, the nation’s largest local Realtor association, have entered into a reciprocal access agreement, the groups announced Friday.  Stellar MLS currently serves about 30% of Florida’s land area across 18 counties and Puerto Rico. With this agreement, Stellar MLS members will now have

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Florida Realtors builds e-sign tool available nationwide

Brokerage, eSignature, Florida, Florida Realtors, Homebuying, HWmember, Margy Grant, MLS/Associations, Real Estate, Realtor, Technology /

Form Simplicity — a transaction management platform created and owned by Florida Realtors — has launched Sabal Sign, a fully integrated e-signature tool for its Ultimate Edition users nationwide. Sabal Sign provides unlimited signing sessions, mobile-friendly workflows and full compliance with U.S. electronic signature laws, eliminating the need for third-party services, Florida Realtors said. “Sabal

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