Following its in-depth assessment of the Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP), the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) today announced a new policy, "Multiple Listing Options for Sellers," to complement its existing Multiple Listing Service (MLS) policies. "Multiple Listing Options for Sellers" will exist in conjunction with CCP and other MLS policies to provide sellers and their agents more options and choice when marketing a property, while also supporting fair housing by providing buyers and their agents with equal access to important MLS property information.
The policy – developed following many months of consultation with MLS and association leadership, brokerages, agents, multi-cultural organizations, and industry experts – introduces a new category of exempt listings called "delayed marketing exempt listings." The exemption will allow a seller the option to instruct the listing agent to delay marketing a listing through Internet Data Exchange (IDX) and syndication for a period of time. Each MLS will have discretion to determine a delayed marketing period that is most suitable for their local marketplace.
During the delayed marketing period, the home seller and the listing agent can market the listing in a manner consistent with the seller’s needs and interests. At the same time, the delayed marketing exempt listing will still be available to other MLS Participants through the MLS Platform. Listing agents representing sellers who choose to delay the public marketing of their listing must secure from their seller a signed disclosure documenting the seller’s informed consent to waive the benefits of immediate public marketing through IDX and syndication. Seller disclosure is required for both delayed marketing exempt listings and office exclusive exempt listings.
NAR President Kevin Sears said, "NAR continually reviews its MLS policies to ensure they best serve its members and their consumers while also mitigating and avoiding potential legal risks. As such, NAR undertook a comprehensive review of CCP as part of our efforts to ensure home sellers and home buyers have the information and flexibility they need to make decisions that work for them. These policy changes allow for greater choice for sellers in marketing their properties while considering buyers' need to access information through MLSs. NAR is grateful for our members' engagement throughout this process, and we are pleased to have reached an outcome that balances the needs and perspectives of our diverse membership."
"Multiple Listing Options for Sellers" is effective today, March 25, 2025, and must be implemented by September 30, 2025, allowing for technical changes associated with this new seller option of delayed marketing exempt listings. Prior to local implementation, we encourage MLSs to consult with brokers and stakeholders in their market to get their input on the allowed time period for delayed marketing exempt listings.
The new policy does not change an MLS's local mandatory submission deadlines or CCP and its requirement to file a listing with the MLS within one (1) business day from public marketing.
To educate members on these changes, NAR launched new resources for "Multiple Listing Options for Sellers" on facts.realtor, which will be continually updated and augmented to meet member needs.
About the National Association of Realtors®
As America's largest trade association, the National Association of Realtors® is involved in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate. The term Realtor® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics. For free consumer guides about navigating the homebuying and selling transaction processes – from written buyer agreements to negotiating compensation – visit facts.realtor.