T
he National Association of REALTORS (NAR) has introduced a new policy to give brokers more flexibility in marketing real estate listings while ensuring fair housing and equal access to MLS property information. The Multiple Listing Options for Sellers policy statement, which takes effect immediately, allows sellers to delay marketing their property through Internet Data Exchange (IDX) and syndication for a specified period.

    This exemption, called "delayed marketing exempt listings," gives sellers the option to control how their listing is marketed while still allowing it to be filed with the MLS. The length of the delayed marketing window will be determined by each MLS, which must implement the change by September 30.

    To participate in this new exemption, listing agents must secure a signed disclosure from the seller documenting their informed consent to waive the benefits of immediate public marketing through IDX and syndication. This requirement applies to both delayed marketing exempt listings and office exclusive exempt listings.

    The policy preserves the Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP), which requires broker participants to submit listings to the MLS for cooperation with other MLS participants within one business day of marketing the property to the public. The new policy does not change an MLS's local mandatory submission deadlines or CCP requirements.

    NAR President Kevin Sears says, "Our goal is and always has been to foster an efficient, fair, and transparent real estate market for consumers." The Multiple Listing Options for Sellers policy aims to provide a balanced solution that meets the needs of sellers, buyers, and brokers while mitigating potential legal risks.