CRMLS survey shows broad support for Clear Coop...

California Regional MLS (CRMLS) released results from a survey of agents who have sold at least one property since Jan. 1 — showing broad support for the Clear Cooperation Policy among active listing professionals. The survey found that 58.3% of respondents support the policy, including 38.73% who said they are “extremely supportive.” Another 12.5% identified as neutral, meaning more than 70% of respondents were either supportive of or open to the policy. Meanwhile, 17.24% said they were “not supportive at all.” According to CRMLS, many respondents emphasized the importance of equal access to listings and broad market exposure for consumers. Several agents used the survey’s open comment section to voice concerns about private listing networks and off-market marketing practices. “Private networks and keeping listings from the MLS does a disservice to the client,” one respondent wrote. Another commented, “Important everyone gets an opportunity at the same time to see a property. Don’t like private networking groups.” Other agents pointed to the role of the MLS as a centralized marketplace. “I’m in favor of Clear Cooperation… It’s important for MLSs to remain the central repository… not the fragmentation we’re seeing,” one respondent stated. Supporters of the policy also highlighted the competitive advantages of wider listing distribution. “The better we cooperate with each other, the more our industry grows in harmony,” one respondent said. “It definitely serves the client most if the property is exposed to as many buyers as possible,” another added. A separate respondent wrote, “The more eyes on a property, the more opportunities… and the seller gets the most money.” While nearly 30% of respondents selected lower support ratings, CRMLS said written comments often reflected support for the policy’s intent while suggesting operational changes. A common concern involved the current one-day timeline requiring publicly marketed listings to be entered into the MLS. “One day is too short of time,” one respondent said and others echoed that sentiment. Among respondents who identified as neutral, many still expressed support for fairness and consistent enforcement standards. “Feels fair to require a listing be marketed to everyone at the same time,” one respondent commented. One neutral respondent added, “I think the premise is good but the enforcement is poor.” CRMLS said the survey aligns with that approach by gathering perspectives from agents currently active in the marketplace. Art Carter, CEO of CRMLS, said the results reinforce the industry’s understanding of transparency and cooperation. “This survey confirms what we continue to see across the marketplace — real estate professionals understand the value of transparency and cooperation,” he said. “The Clear Cooperation Policy is not a restraint on competition — it’s what enables it. It ensures listings are available to the full marketplace, creating more opportunity for buyers and better outcomes for sellers.” CRMLS also emphasized that the policy establishes what it described as a baseline level of fairness by ensuring publicly marketed listings are accessible through the MLS system. The organization said it remains open to refining implementation details while preserving the policy’s broader goals. “An open marketplace benefits everyone,” Carter added. “When information is shared broadly, it strengthens competition, supports fiduciary duty, and ultimately delivers better results for consumers.” This article was generated using HousingWire Automation and reviewed by a HousingWire editor before publication. The system helps convert company announcements and industry data into HousingWire-style news coverage.

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CRMLS survey shows broad support for Clear Cooperation