Washington law limits private listing networks for homes

"A broker may not market the sale or lease of residential real estate to a limited or exclusive group of prospective buyers or brokers, or any combination thereof, unless the real estate is concurrently marketed to the general public and all other brokers, except as reasonably necessary to protect the health or safety of the owner or occupant."

"The intent of the proposed legislation is to promote transparency, fairness and equal access in the residential real estate market by requiring all listings to be marketed publicly and be available to all brokers. Our North Star for our advocacy efforts is making Washington the most consumer-friendly state in which to buy and sell real property."

Washington enacted legislation requiring brokers to market residential real estate sales and leases to the general public and all brokers simultaneously, rather than limiting marketing to exclusive groups. The bill, introduced in January 2026 and sponsored by bipartisan state senators, aims to promote transparency, fairness, and equal access in the residential real estate market. Washington Realtors supported the legislation as part of their advocacy for consumer-friendly real estate practices. Similar bills are pending in Illinois, Connecticut, and Hawaii, though those versions allow sellers to opt out of public marketing with signed disclosures acknowledging potential negative impacts on sales. Wisconsin also enacted comparable legislation in December 2025.

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