With CRMLS’ Oct. 6 deadline approaching and Robert Reffkin promising lawsuits with no settlements, the real fight is over who controls listing data.
Over the past week, we’ve watched a story unfold, courtesy of intrepid Inman reporters AJ LaTrace and Jessi Healey, that promises to keep us reaching for the popcorn for the foreseeable future.
It all started with a September letter in which Compass demanded that MLSs stop letting recruiting platforms use its agent data.
Compass demands MLSs stop ‘weaponizing’ its data for agent recruiting: SCOOP
It escalated when a Sept. 8 letter surfaced giving California Regional MLS until Oct. 6 to stop fining agents who publicly market office exclusives, or face a federal antitrust suit.
CRMLS rejects Compass demands ahead of Oct. 6 lawsuit deadline
In response, CRMLS refused, accused Compass of free riding on cooperative information-sharing, and promised counterclaims and an industry-backed legal defense fund.
‘We will spend millions’: Compass’ growing fight with MLSs explained
A day later, Robert Reffkin told a packed room of MLS executives that the lawsuits begin in mid-October — and there will be no settlements.
The response? Well, the headline says it all:
‘Uncomfortable’ and ‘tense’: CMLS attendees push back on Reffkin pitch (EXCLUSIVE)
What it all comes down to is control: Who decides how a listing gets marketed, and who gets to use the data agents feed into the MLS.
UPDATE: Check out Reffkin’s latest post weighing in on the impending lawsuit.
As you watch CEOs battle over who controls your listings, you still need to set yourself up for success in the months ahead. Here’s how to win more listings this fall and market them in ways that get your sellers results, no matter who wins in court.
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This article was updated after publication with a LinkedIn post from Robert Reffkin.
