Key facts
- Compass and NWMLS settled their 16-month lawsuit on August 31, 2026.
- NWMLS will introduce a "First Look" listing status on September 4, 2026.
- The "First Look" status allows pre-marketing for up to 21 days without public display of days on market or price changes.
- Sellers can choose whether "First Look" listings appear on IDX websites.
- Compass Chairman and CEO Robert Reffkin stated the lawsuit's goal of homeowners controlling property marketing was realized.
- NWMLS stated the "First Look" status was created in response to member feedback and modernizes pre-launch preparation.
Compass and the Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) have settled a 16-month legal battle over property marketing rules, with NWMLS set to introduce a new "First Look" listing status on September 4. This new status will allow properties to be pre-marketed for up to 21 days without public display of days on market or price changes, giving sellers more control over how their homes are marketed.
The lawsuit, initially filed by Compass in April 2025, alleged that NWMLS engaged in anticompetitive practices and obstructed seller choice. NWMLS had temporarily suspended Compass's IDX feed during the dispute. A judge denied NWMLS's motion to dismiss the case in March 2026, and NWMLS filed a counterclaim in April 2026.
Under the settlement, the "First Look" status will permit showings, open houses, and offers during the pre-marketing window. Days spent in "First Look" status and any pre-launch price adjustments will be visible internally to NWMLS members but not publicly published. Sellers will also have the option to decide whether a "First Look" listing appears on IDX websites or if they prefer more tailored public marketing.
Compass Chairman and CEO Robert Reffkin stated that the lawsuit's objective of empowering homeowners to control property marketing had been fully realized, calling the investment in the litigation worthwhile. NWMLS President and CEO Justin Haag positioned the "First Look" status as a response to member feedback, aiming to modernize the pre-launch process while ensuring an open marketplace and fair competition.
Redfin, through its head of industry relations Joe Rath, also praised the creation of the "First Look" status, calling it a pro-consumer and pro-competition solution. The settlement also requires NWMLS to prominently display listing broker names and contact information on listings by October 15, 2026.