The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has introduced a significant update to its Multiple Listing Service (MLS) policies, aimed at enhancing flexibility and choice for home sellers. After months of industry wide analysis and consultation, NAR has adopted the “Multiple Listing Options for Sellers” policy, which works alongside the existing Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP) to provide more marketing options while maintaining fair housing principles. Effective March 25, 2025, this policy allows sellers to opt for a “delayed marketing exempt listing,” granting them greater control over how and when their property is marketed. This change reflects NAR’s commitment to balancing transparency, consumer choice, and equitable access to property listings.
The following questions will help NAR members and consumers understand Multiple Listing Options for Consumers Policy announced on March 25, 2025.
Delayed Marketing Exempt Listings
Overview
What was the result of NAR’s evaluation of Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP)?
- After extensive analysis, NAR has created a new MLS policy, the Multiple Listing Options for Sellers Policy.
- The Multiple Listing Options for Sellers Policy will work alongside 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.
- NAR is also clarifying its policy interpretation of CCP that one-to-one, broker-to-broker communications do not trigger the requirements of CCP. However, multi-brokerage communications about a listing will constitute public marketing under CCP.
What is the Multiple Listing Options for Sellers Policy?
- The Multiple Listing Options for Sellers Policy introduces a new category of listings called “delayed marketing exempt listings.”
- This means a seller can instruct their listing agent to delay the marketing of their listing by other agents outside of the listing firm through IDX and syndication for a period of time as determined by the local MLS.
- 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 listing will still be available to other MLS Participants and Subscribers through the MLS platform so they can inform their consumers about the property.
- Listing agents representing sellers who choose to delay the public marketing of their listing must secure from the seller a signed disclosure documenting the seller’s informed consent to waive or delay 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.
- Please note, the new policy does not change an MLS’s local mandatory submission deadlines or CCP and CCP’s requirement to file a listing with the MLS within one (1) business day from public marketing.
Has CCP changed? Is it still in effect?
- CCP itself remains unchanged and in full effect.
- The Multiple Listing Options for Sellers Policy will work alongside 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.
Is a delayed marketing exempt listing the same thing as an office exclusive?
- No, an office exclusive listing is an exempt listing where the seller has directed
that their property is not disseminated through the MLS and is not publicly
marketed. - An office exclusive listing may require submission under local MLS rules but is not
disseminated to other MLS Participants and Subscribers. - The Multiple Listing Options for Consumers Policy requires listing brokers to
obtain a certification from sellers for an office exclusive listing.
Who has the authority to decide whether to delay marketing of a listing?
- A seller must authorize their listing agent to delay marketing of their property.
- Listing agents representing sellers who choose to delay the public marketing of
their listing must obtain 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.
How long is the delayed marketing window and who determines it?
- Each MLS has discretion to determine a delayed marketing time period that is
most suitable for their local marketplace.
Why is NAR not mandating a specific length for the delayed marketing window?
- MLSs are best positioned to establish a delayed marketing time period that
reflects the business practices for their brokerage communities and the needs
of their local marketplaces. - Prior to formal 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 to determine how stakeholders in their
marketplaces will be best served by this policy.
How is “days on market” defined?
- The Multiple Listing Options for Sellers Policy does not define “days on market” or
require MLSs to track or report time on market information. - This is a matter typically addressed within local MLS business rules.
Does the time period during which a listing’s marketing is delayed count toward
days on the market?
- Each MLS has discretion to determine whether to track days/time on market
information for a delayed marketing exempt listing and how to report it.
Does an MLS have to show price change history of a delayed marketing exempt
listing while in this status?
- An MLS is not required to track or report price change information other than the
most recent increase or decrease in the price of current listings. - Each MLS has discretion to determine whether to track change history for a
delayed marketing exempt listing and how to report it.
How does the new delayed marketing exempt listing time period impact the
mandatory submission requirements of the local MLS?
- The new policy does not change an MLS’s local mandatory submission deadlines
or CCP and CCP’s requirement to file a listing with the MLS within one (1) business
day from public marketing.
Is a delayed marketing exempt listing available for other MLS Participants and
Subscribers and their consumers to view and access during the delayed marketing
period?
- Yes, a delayed marketing exempt listing will still be available to other MLS
Participants and Subscribers through the MLS platform so they can inform their
consumers about the property.
Can a broker share information about a delayed marketing exempt listing with their
consumer during the delayed marketing period?
- Yes, a delayed marketing exempt listing will still be available to other MLS
Participants and Subscribers through the MLS platform so they can inform their
consumers about the property.
Can an MLS share delayed marketing exempt listings through a Brokerage
Backoffice Feed or through consumer-oriented vehicles (email, list sheet)?
- Yes, subject to local MLS rules and procedures, a delayed marketing exempt
listing can be shared by MLS Participants and Subscribers through means that
are not IDX and syndication so they can inform their consumers about the
property.
Can an MLS show a delayed marketing exempt listing on their public-facing
website?
- No, an MLS’s public-facing website would be considered syndication.
Can a seller and listing broker advertise their delayed marketing exempt listing on
other websites in addition to the listing broker’s website?
- Yes. 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.
Can a seller still choose to market their property as an office exclusive?
- Yes, a home seller can choose to have their property marketed as an office
exclusive exempt listing. - This means the property will not be disseminated on the MLS to other MLS
Participants and Subscribers, and that the listing will not be publicly marketed.
Can a delayed marketing exempt listing be shown on a VOW display?
- Yes, VOW display is not for advertisement but rather to help with the provision of
brokerage services to consumers with whom there is an established broker/consumer relationship. - A VOW display must meet all the requirements set forth in NAR MLS policy. For
more details go to, online VOW resources available at nar.realtor.
Disclosure Requirements
What terms are included in the disclosure certification required by the Multiple
Listing Options for Sellers Policy Statement?
- The seller disclosure certification must include:
- A disclosure about the professional relationship between the Participant and
the seller; - Acknowledgement that the seller understands they are waiving the benefits
of immediate public marketing through IDX and syndication, such as the
broad and immediate exposure of their listing through the MLS; and - Confirmation of the seller’s decision that either (1) their listing will not be
publicly marketed and disseminated by the MLS as an office exclusive listing
or (2) that the seller’s listing will not have immediate public marketing
through IDX and syndication because the seller has chosen a delayed
marketing exempt listing.
Does the disclosure certification have to be included in the filing of a delayed
marketing exempt listing?
- Seller disclosure is required in order to file a delayed marketing exempt listing.
- However, each MLS has discretion in how to enforce their policy and rules, which
may or may not include the requirement to file the disclosure form with the MLS.
Timeline for Implementation
When does the delayed marketing exempt listing option take effect?
- The Multiple Listing Options for Sellers Policy is effective March 25, 2025, and
must be implemented by September 30, 2025.
When will local MLSs announce the time period for marketing delays?
- Local MLSs can announce and establish their delayed marketing time period at
any time, but no later than September 30, 2025.
Can an MLS implement the new MLS policy before September 30, 2025?
- Yes, MLSs can implement the new MLS policy at any time, but no later than
September 30, 2025. - Prior to formal 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.
What action do agents who are REALTORS®, brokerage firms, and MLS executives
need to take to comply with the new changes?
- MLSs will need to adopt policy language as part of their local MLS rules at any
time but no later than September 30, 2025. - MLSs will also need to create the necessary functionality and support that allows
for listing agents, with authority from their seller, to delay the marketing of a
listing by other agents outside of the listing firm through IDX or syndication for a
set time period. - Prior to formal 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.
Implications for Members
What do these changes mean for sellers’ agents who are REALTORS® and/or MLS
Participants?
- Sellers’ agents who are REALTORS® and/or MLS Participants will be able to offer
additional marketing options to their clients in a manner consistent with the
clients’ needs and interests. - 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.
What do these changes mean for buyers’ agents who are REALTORS® and/or MLS
Participants?
- Buyers’ agents who are REALTORS® and/or MLS Participants will potentially see
more listings on MLSs that can be shared with their clients from sellers who want
greater control over the marketing of their property due to the sellers’ personal
preferences.
What do these changes mean for brokerage firms?
- Brokerage firms will be able to offer additional marketing options to their
consumers in a manner consistent with their needs and interests.
What do these changes mean for MLSs?
- MLSs will continue to serve as a reliable, transparent, and accurate data source for
available properties for sale while continuing to meet the evolving needs and
interests of the selling and buying public. - The Multiple Listing Options for Sellers Policy does not change an MLS’s local
mandatory submission deadlines or CCP and CCP’s requirement to file a listing
with the MLS within one (1) business day from public marketing. - 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 Multiple Listing Options for Sellers Policy will ensure that consumers have
additional optionality as to how and when their property is marketed.
How will real estate professionals, consumers, and the industry as a whole benefit
from these changes?
- These changes empower real estate professionals, consumers, and the industry
with additional consumer choice that meets buyer and seller expectations while
maintaining the benefits of MLSs, including through transparency and the
cooperation that leads to benefits for home buyers and sellers.
Implications for Consumers
What do these changes mean for home sellers?
- Home sellers who want to limit the marketing of their property through IDX and
syndication will have more options and choice when marketing a property.
Can any home seller choose to delay marketing of their listing?
- Yes.
Why might a home seller choose to delay marketing of their listing?
- Home sellers may have many different reasons for deciding to choose the
delayed marketing exempt listing option. For instance, some homeowners want
to limit the market exposure of their property due to privacy and/or other
personal reasons.
Can agents choose to delay marketing of a listing on behalf of the seller without
seeking a seller’s consent and disclosure?
- No. 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.
What do these changes mean for homebuyers?
- Buyers will potentially have more access to important property information about
listings in their marketplace.
Evaluation of the Clear Cooperation Policy
Background on CCP
What is CCP?
- Under the Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP), the listing broker must submit the
listing to the MLS for cooperation with other MLS Participants within one (1)
business day of marketing a property to the public. - Public marketing includes, but is not limited to, flyers displayed in windows, yard
signs, digital marketing on public facing websites, brokerage website displays
(including IDX and VOW), digital communications marketing (email blasts), multi-brokerage listing sharing networks, and applications available to the general
public.
When was CCP originally implemented and why?
- CCP was originally adopted in November 2019 and implemented by MLSs in May
- The policy was implemented because brokers and MLSs from across the country
asked NAR to consider policy that will reinforce the consumer benefits of
cooperation. - The MLS creates an efficient marketplace and reinforces the pro-competitive, pro-consumer benefits that REALTORS® have long sought to support.
Who is subject to CCP?
- All MLS Participants and Subscribers who participate in a REALTOR® association
owned MLS.
What does it mean to publicly market a listing under CCP?
- Public marketing includes, but is not limited to, flyers displayed in windows, yard
signs, digital marketing on public facing websites, brokerage website displays
(including IDX and VOW), digital communications marketing (email blasts), multi-brokerage listing sharing networks, and applications available to the general
public. - NAR is also clarifying its policy interpretation that one-to-one, broker-to-broker
communications about listings will not trigger CCP requirements.
Do one-to-one, broker-to-broker communications trigger the requirements of the
Clear Cooperation Policy?
- No. One-to-one, broker-to-broker communications about listings will not trigger
CCP requirements.
Evaluation Process and Rationale
Why did NAR evaluate CCP, and why now?
- NAR continually reviews its MLS policies to ensure that they best serve its
members and consumers while also mitigating and avoiding potential legal risks. - The Multiple Listing Options for Sellers Policy is the culmination of many months
of analysis and deliberation across the agency, including MLS leadership,
Association Executives, brokerages of all sizes, agents, multi-cultural partners, and
fair housing, policy, technology, and legal experts.
What feedback did NAR receive on CCP?
- NAR greatly appreciates the feedback it received from stakeholders across the
entire industry, including members, MLS leaders, association executives,
brokers, agents, multi-cultural partner organizations, and fair housing, policy,
technology, and legal experts. - NAR believes this outcome balances the needs and perspectives across the
membership as well as benefits both sellers and buyers.
What are the consequences for not complying with national mandatory MLS
policies?
- If a REALTOR® Association-owned MLS fails to comply with national mandatory
MLS policies, the association will be ineligible for insurance coverage through
the NAR Insurance Program
