May 2025 Broker Report

Transparent, Not Opaque: What You Deserve to Know About “Seller Choice”

We hope you had a chance to read our recent email sent to all CRMLS users reaffirming our support for seller choice in how listings are marketed.

TThere’s been growing conversation around giving sellers greater control, —particularly when it comes to privacy. At CRMLS, we don’t just support this idea—we’ve championed it for nearly two decades.

If you haven’t yet watched our latest video, we encourage you to do so. In it, CRMLS CEO Art Carter and VP & General Counsel Ed Zorn have an honest, insightful discussion about the growing conversation around “seller choice.” They also share recent CRMLS market research that reinforces our long-standing position: true broker cooperation—and the best outcomes for clients—are achieved when listings are placed in the MLS.

Topics include:

• The current marketing options available to sellers in CRMLS systems
  • Internet = NO
  • AVM = NO
  • Address = NO
• The impact of No-Cooperation Listings (also known as Office Exclusives) with supporting data
• An explanation of NAR’s Delayed Marketing (DMEL) Policy—what it is, and why CRMLS chose not to adopt it

We take transparency seriously. Our commitment to clear, honest communication means you receive the full picture because we recognize you need accurate, complete information to do your job effectively. Click the image below to watch:

Thrive ’25 Happens Next Month!

Register now for Thrive 25′ at the Paséa Hotel and Spa in Huntington Beach where you’ll mix, mingle, and hear from industry leaders and influential brokers.

Thrive Welcome events on Sunday, June 8

Arrive & Thrive Stride Sponsored by Realtor.com
A casual seaside walk with CRMLS leadership to welcome speakers and attendees

Sip & Thrive Soirée Sponsored by SentriLock
An evening cocktail reception for all to mingle with speakers and attendees of Thrive ‘25!

Sessions on Monday, June 9

Our agenda is full of insightful sessions, panelists, and speakers. Some highlights include:

Ahead of the Curve: Broker Insights from Perchwell Early Adopters
A deep discussion about Perchwell, the latest MLS system revolutionizing the user experience, from those already utilizing it.

Panelists: Brenda Meyer (Cozy Cabins Realty), Chris Hasvold (Coldwell Banker Village Properties), and Rita Tayenaka (Coast to Canyon Real Estate)
Moderator: Katie Smithson (REcore)

The Race to Trust: The Value of MLS in the Age of AI
As AI weaves its way into our life more and more, this important discussion highlights the relation between AI and the MLS.
Jeff Turner (Tangilla & Venture MLS)

Keynote Address Sponsored by Homes.com
We’re excited to welcome back returning Thrive favorite Dr. Christopher Thornberg from Beacon Economics to anchor the day.

Energize & Thrive Networking Session Sponsored by Zillow.com
Your chance to mingle with attendees and review the day’s sessions.

We’ll see you in June for Thrive ‘25!

Compliance

Get to Know the Compliance Knowledgebase

The CRMLS Compliance Knowledgebase is a collection of guides, reference materials, and FAQs available on the CRMLS Compliance website. Search or browse by topic to find answers and instructions for your most common inquiries.

This month we highlight the “Auto Sold Listing FAQ’s”. Did you know that when a listing’s status is changed to Active Under Contract (U) or Pending (P), the listing Agent is required to enter an Estimated Close of Escrow Date (Estimated COE Date)?

If the listing’s status is not updated within five (5) calendar days of the Estimated COE Date or the Estimated COE Date is not extended, the CRMLS Matrix platform’s Auto Sell feature will automatically change the listing’s status to Auto Sold (S*). Failure to update your listing within two (2) days after the Estimated COE Date has passed will result in an MLS rule violation.

Courtesy notices are sent by email 14 days prior to, 7 days prior to, 1 day prior to, on the day of, 2 days after, and 5 days after your Estimated COE Date.

Note: This rule no longer comes with a warning. Therefore, upon issuance of the last courtesy notice, a citation will be issued if the listing is found to be in Auto Sold status.

Listing Agreement and Seller’s Permission

CRMLS Rule 8.1 Requirements:

Prior to submitting a listing to the MLS, the Listing Broker shall obtain the written agreement of the seller(s) expressly granting the Listing Broker authority to:

1. file the listing with the MLS for publication and dissemination to those authorized by the MLS;
2. act as an agent for the seller(s);
3. abide by the rules of the MLS;
4. provide timely notice of status changes of the listing to the MLS;
5. provide sales information, including selling price, to the MLS upon sale of the property for publication and dissemination to those authorized by the MLS; and
6. publish sales information after the final closing of a sales transaction in accordance with these MLS rules (See Section 10.1).

Note: Even if the property owner and listing agent/broker are the same person, they are contractually two separate entities, and a listing agreement is still required to be in effect for the property to be submitted in the MLS. Failure to have a listing agreement in place even if the property owner is also the listing agent/broker, could result in the issuance of a citation with fee.

Questions regarding this rule can be addressed via our Compliance live chat.

Compliance Presentations Available to Your Brokerage

As a reminder, CRMLS Compliance is available throughout the year to provide you with various complimentary presentations for your agents. Presentations are available both in-person and virtually. Please fill out our form to schedule Compliance training for your office.

Broker Compliance Helpline

You can contact the Broker Compliance Helpline in three simple steps:

1. Make sure your MLS ID is ready (note that only active brokers, office managers, and personal/office assistants connected to a broker or office manager can use theBroker Compliance Helpline). To learn if your ID has the correct MLS user class, please email brokers@crmls.org. 
2. Call 909-859-2043.
3. Press 3 to speak directly to a Compliance Analyst for assistance. 

You can reach us Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM PT. Please do NOT share this phone number with agents. 

If you have questions regarding your user class or personal/office assistant accounts, please email us at brokers@crmls.org.