826 Brokers Back Shared National Listing Data Effort
Brokerages want more direct control over how their home listings flow to MLSs, portals and other tools.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Residential
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Open Real Estate, a broker-led initiative to build shared infrastructure for residential listing data, secured 826 letters of support from real estate brokerage leaders across the country. Of those letters, 493, or 59%, came from independent brokerages.
Why it matters
The effort is designed to give brokerages more direct control over how their listing data flows to MLSs, portals, internal systems and third-party tools, which can shape how homes are marketed and found. It arrives as the industry adapts to rapid changes in listing distribution and display, ongoing antitrust scrutiny and shifting brokerage business models.
Open Real Estate has collected 826 letters of support from brokerage leaders nationwide, with 493 of them (59%) from independent brokerages. Supporters include Atlanta Communities, Iron Valley Real Estate, LoKation Real Estate and Realty of America, all RealTrends Verified brokerages.
The players
Open Real Estate
A broker-led initiative building shared national infrastructure for residential listing data that brokerages, agents and portals can connect to.
Bright MLS
A regional multiple listing service whose CEO, Brian Donnellan, welcomed the initiative.
California Regional MLS (CRMLS)
A California multiple listing service whose CEO, Art Carter, said the effort aligns with its work giving brokers flexibility in managing listing data.
NTREIS
A Texas-based multiple listing service whose CEO, Chris Carrillo, said the organization welcomes constructive dialogue with Open Real Estate.
The details
Open Real Estate is designed as a national shared data layer that connects brokerages, agents, multiple listing services and real estate portals. Founding organizations include AGNT Inc., HomeServices of America, Keller Williams Realty and Real REMAX Group. Leaders of several regional listing services have responded, with Bright MLS CEO Brian Donnellan welcoming the initiative and NTREIS CEO Chris Carrillo saying the organization welcomes constructive dialogue with Open Real Estate.
Timeline
Open Real Estate launched one week before the letters of support were announced.
The 826 letters of support were announced on Monday, November 2, 2026.
The Home Front
The push comes amid ongoing antitrust scrutiny of how residential listing data is controlled and distributed. Brokerages are pursuing shared infrastructure as their business models and the channels used to display listings continue to shift.
If you are working with a brokerage or agent, ask how your listing data is shared with MLSs and portals and who controls it. Keep your listing agreement and marketing documents on file so you can review how your home is presented.
The takeaway
The initiative reflects brokerages seeking more direct control over how home listings are distributed to the public. Before listing a home, ask your agent how the listing will be shared and keep a copy of your listing agreement for reference.
Further reading
For broader context on how homes are bought and sold across the country, explore the Residential real estate section.
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