Key facts
- The Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS) has created a new Brokerage Membership category.
- This initiative aims to bring MLS and brokerage leaders into more structured and regular dialogue.
- HomeServices of America and eXp Realty are among the early adopters of this new category.
- A founding group of brokerage leaders will help test and refine the membership experience.
- The new category is intended to complement, not replace, CMLS’s focus on its MLS members.
The Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS) has established a new Brokerage Membership category aimed at fostering a more direct and consistent dialogue between MLS executives and brokerage leaders. This initiative, announced at the organization's Open House conference, is designed to address shared challenges and collaboratively shape the future of the MLS marketplace.
The new membership is built on the premise that MLSs and brokerages are essential to a transparent and efficient real estate market, but often operate in separate spheres. CMLS CEO Jessica Edgerton stated that the new category creates a space for these essential conversations, enabling a better understanding of each other's perspectives and identifying opportunities for mutual value creation.
HomeServices of America and eXp Realty are among the initial participants, helping to build a stronger connection between brokerage and MLS leadership during a period of intense regulatory, legal, and competitive scrutiny for the traditional MLS model. This comes amidst ongoing fallout from industry commission litigation, shifting buyer-broker compensation practices, and heightened regulatory attention on data access and transparency.
Gretchen Rosenberg, vice president of industry affairs and engagement for HomeServices of America, noted that while brokerages and MLSs face similar industry challenges, they don't always view them from the same vantage point. The new dialogue aims to bridge these perspectives and foster collaborative solutions.
Participating organizations will gain access to CMLS research, educational resources, and industry materials, including the association’s Value of MLS campaign. They will also have expanded opportunities to engage with initiatives like Champions of MLS and provide input on CMLS research, education, programming, and the evolution of MLSs.
Holly Mabery, chief brokerage officer for eXp Realty, emphasized the importance of the MLS in maximizing listing visibility and benefiting sellers and consumers. eXp Realty's participation underscores a commitment to a strong MLS ecosystem.
A founding Brokerage Task Force will focus on identifying needs, opportunities, and friction points in the MLS-broker relationship, refining membership benefits, and defining the structure of a future Broker Advisory Committee. CMLS plans to use the remainder of 2026 for a listening and design phase, with expanded programming and participation throughout 2027, ultimately aiming for a standing committee to ensure ongoing brokerage engagement in CMLS governance and strategy.