Understand Clear Cooperation
In March 2025, NAR introduced a new MLS policy statement that works alongside the Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP). It gives brokers the flexibility to meet the needs of selling clients while also supporting fair housing by providing buyers and their agents with equal access to MLS property information.
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.
Both CCP and the new policy statement, Multiple Listing Options for Sellers, are part of NAR’s Handbook on Multiple Listing Policy, which guides REALTOR® associations in the operation of MLSs. The rules are designed to permit optimum service and efficiency in MLS systems.
The rule is simple; if you publicly market a listing it needs to be entered into the MLS within one (1) day of the marketing start.
CCP Resource Guide
We've created an infographic guide to help explain the Clear Cooperation Rule! It explains what is considered "Public Marketing."
Q & A on Clear Cooperation
Read below as we answer common questions on Clear Cooperation Policy, including what defines "public marketing" and "coming soon!"
"What is Clear Cooperation?"
Clear Cooperation requires that properties listed for sale by an MLS Participant (REALTORS® participating in our MLS) must be entered into the MLS within one (1) business day of any public marketing.
The Clear Cooperation Policy in the VMLS Rules & Regulations reads as follows:
Within one (1) business day of marketing a property to the public, the listing broker must submit the listing to the MLS for cooperation with other MLS participants. 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.
This rule is required by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) for any and all MLSs owned by a REALTOR® Association.
"What is public marketing?"
Any marketing made available to the general public – includes but is not limited: to advertising on a public website, a yard sign, print advertisement, blast email newsletter, mailing, word of mouth, flyers displayed in windows, and brokerage website display. Public marketing includes marketing by Agent or Seller.
The rule is simple; if you publicly market a listing it needs to be entered into the MLS within one (1) day of the marketing start.
Are all properties subject to Clear Cooperation?
No, only properties that are Mandatory for entry in the VMLS – for VMLS this includes Residential Properties (Single Family, Duplex, Condo, Townhomes, Ranches) and Residential Land Listings.
Properties that are optional for entry in the MLS are not subject to the MLS and may be publicly advertised even if they are not in the MLS.
Property types include all
- Single Pre- and Under-Construction single-family and duplex homes for sale or exchange
- Commercial For Sale or For Lease
- Rental Properties (long and short term)
- Shared Interest or Fractional Properties
- Business Opportunity Interests
- Parking Spaces
- Sold Data Entry Only Listings
What if my Seller doesn’t want it in the MLS?
If your Seller determines they do not want to submit a listing to cooperation to the MLS for exposure to the entire market, you can take the listing as an Office Exclusive.
As a REALTOR®, you are encouraged to disclose, preferably in writing, to your Seller the potential drawbacks of limiting market exposure. Make sure they understand the limitations on marketing the property. If it is an Office Exclusive, it cannot be marketed outside the listing brokerage’s firm.
Marketing includes activities by Agent or Seller.
Or, if the Seller has privacy issues, the property can be entered in the MLS for cooperation. It can be removed from all MLS data feeds so the property is not displayed on any websites.
What if my Seller isn’t ready to list just yet?
VMLS has the Coming Soon status option available.
"Why does the MLS have this rule?"
The goal of Clear Cooperation is to encourage and foster cooperation among brokers, which is the ultimate purpose of the MLS. Clear Cooperation also ensures all consumers have equal access to all properties available in the market to align with REALTORS®’ dedication to fair housing. Adhering to the policy will ensure the most accurate property information is available to you and to your buyers and sellers.
“This policy is intended to bolster cooperation and advance the positive, pro-competitive impacts that cooperation fosters for consumers.”
- National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)
“Why did NAR think we needed this rule?"
Don’t you hate it when your client calls you and asks about a property they saw on the internet or advertised in the paper? Then when you look for it in the MLS to get the information, you can’t find it? This prevents you from being able to provide your client with the information they expect from you.
The Clear Cooperation Policy was designed to prevent this from happening. The belief is that if the public is aware of a listing, then the professionals who help in the transactions, Realtors, should have access to information on that listing. Therefore, Clear Cooperation was instituted.
The rule requires MLS participants to share listed property information with other participants once the property is made available to the public via any marketing. The practice of full access to properties benefits all the marketplace’s stakeholders – agents, sellers, buyers, and affiliated businesses (like appraisers and mortgage brokers). Sellers benefit when their home is exposed to as many buyers as possible. Buyers benefit when they have access to all available options in the marketplace. REALTORS® need access to the listing information to assist their clients. The more properties in the database, the better and more accurate market statistics.
If properties are for sale but kept out of the MLS, data points such as active inventory, days on market, and pricing are skewed. The listing data in the MLS is relied on by REALTORS to do their job.
Are there more resources I can refer to for guidance?
This is a link to the National Association of REALTORS®' policy and common FAQs on the Clear Cooperation Policy. It is designed to help you better understand the policy.
The Council of Multiple Listing Services also has a common questions page that is very helpful.