In a strategic move aimed at fostering deeper collaboration within the real estate industry, the Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS) has officially unveiled a new Brokerage Membership category. The initiative, announced this week at the organization’s Open House conference, represents a significant shift in the trade group’s structure, designed specifically to facilitate a more formal and consistent dialogue between Multiple Listing Service (MLS) executives and the leadership of the nation’s largest brokerages.
The creation of this membership tier comes at a pivotal moment for the residential real estate sector. As the industry grapples with the fallout of landmark litigation, evolving commission structures, and heightened regulatory scrutiny, the need for a unified front between the entities that manage listing data and the firms that represent buyers and sellers has never been more acute. By opening its doors to brokerage leaders, CMLS is signaling a departure from the traditional siloed approach to industry governance, seeking instead to build a "MLS of the future" through shared expertise and mutual understanding.
According to CMLS leadership, the new membership is founded on a clear and urgent premise: the complexities of the modern marketplace require MLS executives and brokerage leaders to work together on shared challenges in a more structured, ongoing environment. The organization intends to move beyond the occasional interactions of the past, replacing them with a dedicated platform for strategic cooperation.
Bridging the Gap Between Industry Silos
The rollout of the initiative is scheduled for this fall, beginning with a hand-selected founding group of brokerage leaders. This initial cohort will play a critical role in the development of the program, serving as a testing ground for the membership experience. Their primary objective will be to identify specific opportunities for tighter collaboration between MLSs and brokerages while laying the groundwork for what will eventually become a permanent Broker Advisory Committee.
Crucially, CMLS has characterized this founding group as a closed forum intended for candid, high-level discussion. Rather than serving as a broad marketing or promotional program, the membership is designed to give brokerage executives a defined and influential role in shaping the organization’s work. This includes direct input into how CMLS incorporates broker perspectives into its research, policy advocacy, and operational standards.
Jessica Edgerton, CEO of CMLS, emphasized the necessity of this integrated approach during the announcement. She noted that while both MLSs and brokerages are fundamental to maintaining a transparent and competitive marketplace, the two groups have historically operated in isolation.
“MLSs and brokerages are both essential to a transparent, efficient and competitive real estate marketplace, but too often we are having conversations in separate rooms,” Edgerton said. “This new membership creates a place to have those conversations together. If we want to build the MLS of the future, we need to better understand one another, challenge assumptions and identify where we can create more value together.”
The "separate rooms" analogy resonates deeply within an industry where the interests of those who own the data and those who manage the platforms have sometimes been at odds. By creating a literal and figurative "table" for these parties to sit at together, CMLS hopes to mitigate misunderstandings and align the industry’s strategic goals.
Founding Partners and the Push for Consistency
The initiative has already secured the support of some of the most influential names in the real estate world. HomeServices of America and eXp Realty are among the early adopters of the new membership category, acting as founding members. The involvement of these massive organizations—representing tens of thousands of agents across the country—underscores the perceived value of a more direct line of communication with MLS leadership.
The role of these early adopters extends beyond mere participation; they are tasked with helping CMLS establish a more consistent and reliable connection between brokerage and MLS leadership. This consistency is viewed as vital during a period when the traditional MLS model is facing intense pressure from multiple directions, including legal challenges, regulatory inquiries from the Department of Justice, and a rapidly changing competitive landscape.
The inclusion of firms like HomeServices of America and eXp Realty suggests that the program is targeting leaders who can speak to the operational realities of large-scale brokerage businesses. These firms are often the first to feel the impact of changes in MLS rules or data delivery methods, making their feedback essential for the evolution of the marketplace.
Longstanding Tension Over Who Sets MLS Policy
The announcement of the Brokerage Membership category arrives against a backdrop of historic tension regarding the governance of the real estate market. For years, debates have simmered over who should have the primary voice in setting MLS policy, how listing data should be shared across different platforms, and the speed at which MLSs adapt to the technological and business needs of modern brokerages.
These tensions have been exacerbated by recent industry events. Real estate professionals are currently navigating the ongoing repercussions of commission-related litigation, which has led to significant changes in buyer-broker compensation practices. Simultaneously, regulators have increased their focus on data access and transparency, questioning long-held industry standards. These external pressures have forced a reckoning, highlighting the friction points between the brokers who generate the listing data and the MLSs that aggregate and distribute it.
Gretchen Rosenberg, Vice President of Industry Affairs and Engagement for HomeServices of America, highlighted the importance of viewing these challenges through a shared lens.
“Brokerages and MLSs are looking at many of the same industry challenges, but we don’t always see them from the same vantage point,” Rosenberg noted. “Creating a more direct and ongoing dialogue gives us the opportunity to better understand those perspectives, challenge some of our own assumptions and work together on solutions that serve brokers, agents and consumers.”
By acknowledging that different stakeholders have different "vantage points," CMLS is attempting to create a synthesis of ideas. The goal is to move away from reactive policy-making and toward a proactive, collaborative strategy that anticipates the needs of the consumer while protecting the integrity of the market.
Access to Research and the Value of the MLS
Beyond the strategic dialogue, participating brokerage organizations will receive tangible benefits through their membership. CMLS plans to provide broker members with access to its extensive library of research, educational resources, and industry-specific materials. This includes the association’s "Value of MLS" campaign, a multi-faceted initiative designed to communicate the benefits of the MLS system to the public and to industry professionals.
Broker members will also have expanded opportunities to engage with other CMLS programs, such as the "Champions of MLS" initiative. This involvement is intended to be a two-way street; while brokers will consume CMLS content, they will also be expected to provide critical input on research topics, educational programming, and broader conversations regarding the evolution of the MLS ecosystem.
The emphasis on "contribution over consumption" is a central pillar of the new category. CMLS has made it clear that the program is not merely a subscription service for information, but a channel for active participation in the debates that will shape the future of real estate rules and operations.
Holly Mabery, Chief Brokerage Officer for eXp Realty, spoke to the fundamental importance of the MLS in the modern transaction and why her firm chose to join the initiative.
“Accessible. Efficient. Transparent. That is the market the MLS makes possible,” Mabery said. “At eXp, we want as many people as possible to see our listings. More eyes. More buyers. Better results for sellers. The MLS is at the center of that. When the MLS is strong, consumers win. That is why eXp Realty is joining CMLS as a broker member and as a Founding Broker Champion of MLS.”
Identifying Needs, Opportunities, and Friction Points
The heavy lifting of this initiative will be handled by the founding Brokerage Task Force. This group will focus on a three-pronged mission: identifying the current needs and opportunities within the MLS-broker relationship, pinpointing specific friction points that hinder efficiency, and refining the benefits of the membership to ensure it remains valuable for brokerage leaders.
The task force is also responsible for defining the structure and priorities of the future Broker Advisory Committee. This committee is envisioned as a permanent, strategic sounding board that will provide CMLS with a repeatable and structured channel for brokerage engagement in governance and strategic planning.
This approach reflects a long-term commitment to change rather than a temporary fix. Jessica Edgerton reiterated that the goal is not to create another administrative burden for brokers, but to ensure they have a seat at the table where the most important decisions are made.
“This is not about asking brokers to simply join another association,” Edgerton said. “We want them at the table. We want to hear what is working, what is not and where MLSs and brokerages can work differently together. The value of this initiative will come from the conversations it makes possible.”
A Multi-Year Roadmap for Integration
CMLS has outlined a clear timeline for the rollout and expansion of the Brokerage Membership category. The remainder of 2026 will serve as a dedicated "listening and design phase," during which the task force will gather feedback and build the framework for the program. This phase is critical for ensuring that the membership addresses the actual pain points felt by brokerages rather than perceived ones.
In 2027, CMLS plans to expand the programming and open up participation to a broader range of brokerage members. The ultimate objective is the establishment of the standing Broker Advisory Committee, which will integrate brokerage perspectives into the very fabric of CMLS governance.
While the new category introduces a significant new stakeholder group into the CMLS ecosystem, the organization emphasized that its primary focus remains on its MLS members. The Brokerage Membership is intended to complement existing efforts, not replace them. By creating a stronger pathway for brokerage input, CMLS believes it can better advocate for the entire MLS ecosystem, ensuring that the rules and value propositions of the marketplace remain relevant and robust in the face of ongoing change.
As the real estate industry continues to transform, the success of this initiative may well depend on the willingness of both MLS and brokerage leaders to set aside historical grievances and focus on the shared goal of a more transparent and efficient market. With the support of major industry players and a structured plan for engagement, CMLS is positioning itself as the primary venue for that transformation to take place.
