T
he National Association of Realtors is reassessing a policy that could significantly impact the way homes are bought and sold across the US. Clear Cooperation, introduced in 2020, requires real estate agents to list properties on shared databases within one business day of starting marketing efforts. This rule aims to reduce "off-market" listings, where homes are marketed discreetly to select buyers without being widely advertised. Proponents argue it promotes fair housing laws and helps sellers secure top prices by exposing their properties to a broader pool of potential buyers.

    However, opponents claim that sellers should have control over how their homes are marketed and that the MLS listing requirement infringes on antitrust laws. The NAR is now considering whether to repeal, maintain, or modify the policy amidst a market where home inventory remains below historical norms and brokerages have consolidated. Real estate executives' stances on the issue largely depend on whether they benefit from the rule. Companies like Zillow and Redfin, which aggregate MLS listings, support it, while luxury-focused brokerages like Compass oppose it. Anywhere Real Estate, parent company of several franchises, wants to see changes to the policy rather than a complete repeal.