CMLS urges antitrust regulators to back MLS collaboration

CMLS asked federal antitrust regulators to treat multiple listing services as pro-competitive collaborations while DOJ and FTC update guidance on competitor cooperation. CMLS submitted a May 26 comment letter arguing that MLSs expand access to accurate housing data, reduce search and transaction costs, and help maintain an open and competitive real estate marketplace. Regulators are seeking public input on potential guidance for collaborations among competitors as they scrutinize real estate commission practices, listing policies, and data access under federal antitrust law. CMLS represents more than 230 MLSs and 80 related businesses, serving over 1.7 million subscribers across North America. CMLS said MLSs rely on broad, even-handed access to factual property data through collection, verification, and distribution of listing information for consumers and industry participants.

"CMLS has asked federal antitrust regulators to explicitly recognize multiple listing services (MLSs) as pro-competitive collaborations as the government updates guidance on how competitors can work together. In a May 26 comment letter to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)'s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), CMLS argued that MLSs expand access to accurate housing data, reduce search and transaction costs, and support an open and competitive real estate marketplace."

"The agencies requested public input on potential guidance for collaborations among competitors as they continue to scrutinize real estate commission practices, listing policies and data access under federal antitrust law. Industry trade groups, MLSs and brokerages have increasingly turned to formal comment processes to influence how regulators view long-standing industry structures. MLSs are one of the most important examples of how collaboration can strengthen competition and benefit consumers, Nicole Jensen, chair of CMLS and CEO of realMLS, said in the announcement."

"The letter emphasized that MLSs are built around broad, even-handed access to factual property data. By collecting, verifying and distributing listing information, CMLS said its members provide reliable information on homes for sale and recent sales to consumers, brokers, appraisers, lenders and technology providers. CMLS highlighted several specific benefits it says MLSs provide to the housing market: Market transparency: Timely, reliable prop"

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