Compass Opens Private Listings to All Brokerages…Sort Of

In just 89 words, Compass announced that it is willing to share all private listings with any brokerage or MLS. 

But to get access to the exclusive inventory, brokerages and MLSs will have to play by Compass’s rules. 

Two Non-Negotiables

To get access to Compass’s exclusive inventory, brokerages and MLSs must agree to two terms “meant to protect homeowners and their listing agents”:

1. No Monetizing or Tampering: “The brokerage or MLS agrees not to alter or monetize the homeowners’ listings in any way, keeping the listing agent front and center.”
2. No Penalties for Sharing: “The brokerage or MLS can ensure agents won’t be fined or banned for sharing listings with the brokerage or MLS.”

Compass vs. Clear Cooperation 

This move comes as Compass tries to clarify its stance amid growing criticism over its three-phase marketing strategy and aggressive stance against NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy. 

Critics, including some MLSs and portals, as well as industry leaders like eXp CEO Leo Pareja and NexDoor CEO James Dwiggins, argue that Compass’ private exclusives approach restricts access, hurts transparency, and ultimately steers the industry in a backwards direction.

In this week’s Knowledge Brokers Podcast, Tom Toole and Lisa Chinatti discussed both CEOs recent statements and debated on what they believe will be the most likely outcome of Compass’s lawsuit against Zillow. Watch it here. 

Brokerages and MLSs are encouraged to reach out directly to robert@compass.com if they want access to the exclusive listings. 

Stay tuned for more as the story develops.