In 2019 CMLS identified a need for a national data feed policy for brokers to access back the information they input into the MLS. After discussion with key stakeholders including MLSs, software vendors, and brokers, we’ve developed proposed policy language that was submitted to the NAR MLS Technology and Emerging Issues Advisory Board. We wanted to share the motion carried by the Advisory Board.

Motion: A Multiple Listing Service must, upon request, promptly provide an MLS participant (or their designee) a data feed containing, at minimum, all active MLS listing data input into the MLS by or on behalf of the participant and all of the broker’s off-market historical data for the previous (3) three years. The delivery charges for the broker’s data shall not exceed the actual costs incurred by the MLS. The data feed must be in compliance with the RESO Standards as provided for in MLS Policy Statement 7.90. Note: MLSs will not limit the use of the broker’s data or the broker’s designee.

The proposed policy is technology agnostic and relies on references to other areas of the rules and regulations which are updated as technology evolves. CMLS believes that MLS rules and regulations should remain technology agnostic and require current RESO standards for delivery.

The NAR board of directors passed the policy on Friday. Here's the motion that passed:

That a new policy statement establish the right of Participants to receive a data feed of their own listing information, which reads:

A Multiple Listing Service must, upon request, promptly provide an MLS Participant (or the Participant's designee) a data feed containing, at minimum, all active MLS listing content input into the MLS by or on behalf of the Participant and all of the Participant's off-market listing content available in the MLS system. The delivery charges for the Participant's listing content shall be reasonably related to the actual costs incurred by the MLS. The data feed must be in compliance with the RESO Standards as provided for in MLS Policy Statement 7.90

Be on the lookout for a survey from CMLS to understand what you're already doing locally and get volunteers for our implementation work group. We'll be releasing resources in early September. Do you have any concerns about local implementation? We want to hear them. Please share here or email me directly at betsy.hanson@councilofmls.org.