MRED is collectively owned by Real estate agent associations and brokerage firms. While association owners signed off this week, the policy needs to still clear other hurdles.
Jensen stated she will provide revised guidelines and policies to the group’s board of managers next week. Proposed updates include a standard procedure created to make sure any non-Realtor individuals will be held to expert requirements.
“Presuming that passes, which I hope it does– however you know, it’s not up to me, it depends on the board– it would be up to each private Realtor association or MLS that we partner with to execute it,” Jensen said.
Partner groups will face individual business decisions on whether to extend extra services– such as lockbox access or forms libraries– to non-Realtor customers, she added.
The move positions MRED to get in markets where non-Realtor gain access to is already permitted, either by state law or voluntary policy.
Jensen cited so-called “Thompson states”– a reference to past lawsuits in parts of the Southeast– and California as examples where constraints on tying membership to MLS gain access to are already in location.
“It would simply allow MRED to be able to broaden our market,” she said. “As MRED’s market area broadens, I don’t wish to have an artificial boundary where I can’t expand into a location that currently allows non-Realtor access, due to the fact that of my operating contract.”
Jensen likewise defined there are no present plans to utilize MRED’s private listing network depending on Realtor status, with member organizations holding autonomy to make their own access decisions.
In general, she stated the rule change would lower legal exposure.
“It helps us de-risk in case a suit was brought, where we would state we don’t have that requirement,” she stated.
Additionally, she stressed that Monday’s decision was not a rebuke of NAR.
“We’re extremely encouraging of NAR and the Realtor,” Jensen stated. “This, in no way, was altered because of NAR. We hope that we have as strong of a relationship going forward as we did prior to this modification. I’m hopeful that NAR stays a strong voice for customers and Realtors.”
NAR weighed in on the decision in an emailed declaration.
“Regional MLSs play an essential function in cultivating transparent, competitive and fair housing markets by providing representatives and consumers the most accurate and current information on home listings,” the association stated. “Each MLS has complete discretion to set their own participation requirements to suit their regional market, consisting of whether to need Realtor subscription.
“NAR stays committed to securing the advantages MLSs supply representatives, customers and the market.”