Real estate Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) are grappling with how to manage agent access to listing data for artificial intelligence tools. Brokers like eXp Realty advocate for open access to LLMs, while others, such as Compass, propose stricter controls to protect data. The debate centers on balancing agent productivity with data integrity and intellectual property rights.
The debate over MLS data access for AI tools impacts how real estate agents can leverage artificial intelligence for tasks like property valuation and market analysis. Balancing open access with data protection is crucial for protecting broker intellectual property and ensuring consumers receive accurate information, while also enabling agents to benefit from AI-driven productivity gains.
Real estate brokers are divided on how agents should use Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data with artificial intelligence tools, particularly large language models (LLMs). eXp Realty's chief brokerage officer, Holly Mabery, argues for Model Context Protocols (MCPs) to allow agents real-time access to data for AI tools, enabling them to use comprehensive datasets for tasks like comparative market analyses (CMAs) and consumer information. This approach aims to enhance agent productivity while ensuring data integrity.
Conversely, Compass International Holdings CEO Robert Reffkin proposed that MLSs could position themselves as protectors of listing data against AI, drawing parallels to the historical 'confidential' nature of printed MLS books. He questions whether agents should have the freedom to share listings across brokerages and the market without them being ingested by portals and AI.
However, many industry professionals believe that data is already widely accessible. Nick Aufenkamp of the Tartan Group views attempts to "wall off information" as gatekeeping and a losing strategy, emphasizing that his team uses AI to derive greater value from MLS data. He also stresses the importance of auditing to ensure confidential client information is not inadvertently fed into LLMs.
MLSs are actively seeking solutions. Tim Dain, CEO of Northstar MLS, stated that preventing agents from using AI is a "fool's errand" and that the focus should be on governance, monitoring, and attribution. Northstar MLS is collaborating on Project NexusRE to enhance control over AI data access. Kelly Lennox, chief legal officer at Northwest MLS, is exploring a "balancing act" between open access and closed ecosystems, favoring authorized, licensed use and evaluating 'closed-loop' enterprise AI tools that prevent data from entering public LLM training sets.
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