On Friday, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reconvened for the second time in seven weeks to review the Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP). Yet, despite industry anticipation, the meeting once again ended without any decisions being made.
Instead, NAR’s MLS Technology and Emerging Issues Advisory Board decided not to recommend changes, opting to pass feedback to NAR’s Leadership Team.
With no specific date for a resolution, the industry continues to wait—and at the same time, more industry leaders continue to weigh in on the policy. Most recently, The Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS) took a firm stance in an open letter, saying a hasty repeal of CCP would be “reckless and unnecessary.”
NAR’s Advisory Board Defers Decision
In the October 25 meeting, NAR’s MLS Technology and Emerging Issues Advisory Board chose not to make a formal recommendation or take immediate action.
A spokesperson said in a statement that “NAR continues to receive a range of passionate opinions about CCP” and that any changes require thorough deliberation among industry members, stakeholders, and experts.
The delay is in part due to the complexity of the situation, as NAR’s policies remain under scrutiny due to ongoing litigation and investigations by the Department of Justice (DOJ). “NAR will continue to evaluate CCP in the broader context of the issues facing NAR and the industry,” the spokesperson said.
CMLS Advocates for CCP Preservation
CMLS CEO Denee Evans released an open letter on the same day as NAR’s last meeting. In it, she expressed support for keeping CCP in place and argued that it is a “big idea” necessary for market integrity and transparency.
Without CCP, Evans believes “sellers will pay dearly,” stating that buyers would find it harder — and possibly more expensive — to gain a complete view of their options. She added, “Agents will awaken each morning to a constrained view into their market. Brokers will find it more difficult to compete as listings are systematically held within private networks and a few market-dominating firms.”
Industry Leaders Weigh In
The debate around CCP has become a high-profile issue, with leaders across the industry vocalizing their views. Below, we share where some of the biggest names in the industry stand.
Voices in Favor of Clear Cooperation Policy
Supporters of CCP argue that its repeal would exacerbate market inequities, making it harder for buyers to access listings and for smaller brokerages to compete. Supporters of CCP include:
- Glenn Kelman, Redfin CEO
- Leo Pareja, eXp CEO
- Stephen Brobeck, Senior Fellow with the Consumer Federation of America (CFA)
- Jeremy Wacksman, Zillow CEO
- Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS)
Voices Against Clear Cooperation Policy
Critics argue that CCP restricts agent flexibility and seller choice. These voices advocate for reforms that would adapt the policy to today’s needs without undermining its original intent.
Critics of CCP include:
- Austin Board of Realtors (ABoR) MLS
- Mauricio Umansky, CEO of The Agency
- Robert Reffkin, Compass CEO
- Park City Board of Realtors (which recently announced it will no longer require agents to follow the policy)
The mounting tension around CCP has driven industry voices to advocate passionately for whichever side they stand on. But during his time on stage at BAM Mania, Rob Hahn (aka Notorious R.O.B.) predicted that “Clear Cooperation Policy is dead one way or the other. It will either die because they are willing to make changes or because large corporations will simply stop caring.”
Hahn continued, “And the issue is the brokerages, the large brokerages, quite frankly, they’re not doing that well…They have a humongous incentive to improve their margins. It turns out the MLS flattens those margins.”
What’s Next for CCP?
With NAR’s NXT Conference approaching next week, NAR faces growing pressure to make a definitive decision on CCP. But CMLS CEO Evans emphasized that a rushed decision could lead to “reckless” outcomes. She advocates for a thoughtful, refined approach, urging NAR to preserve the policy’s benefits while fine-tuning it to meet evolving industry needs.
