C
alifornia's largest multiple listing service, CRMLS, has opted out of implementing a new policy introduced by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) last month. The policy allows home sellers to temporarily delay marketing their properties through the Internet Data Exchange (IDX). CRMLS claims that NAR created this option to appease powerful national brokerages, such as Compass, which have been vocal in their opposition to the Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP).

    CRMLS argues that the new policy doesn't provide any additional benefits to consumers and is overly complicated. Instead of implementing the delayed marketing option, CRMLS will continue to offer existing options that can achieve similar goals without introducing new statuses. The MLS believes that implementing the IDX hold could lead to workarounds, such as using Virtual Office Website (VOW) feeds to bypass the rule.

    Major portals like Zillow and Redfin use VOW feeds, while others like Realtor.com don't. CRMLS warns that consumers will be affected by this policy change, requiring them to create accounts on each VOW site just to view all available active listings. The organization is urging NAR to reconsider the changes, stating that it's time for agents and brokers to focus on their work rather than navigating unnecessary rule changes.

    NAR has set a September 30 deadline for implementing the new policy, but CRMLS CEO Art Carter declined to comment further on the decision. An NAR spokesperson acknowledged the feedback from MLS leaders and expressed a willingness to discuss the issue ahead of the implementation deadline.