Kevin Sears President | Official website
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has approved a series of updates to its Multiple Listing Services (MLS) Handbook. This decision follows an extensive review of existing MLS policies and marks the most significant revision in two decades.
For the first time, NAR conducted a comprehensive antitrust risk assessment of all MLS policies, led by a national law firm. To evaluate the findings and suggest changes, Immediate Past NAR President Kevin Sears formed the "MLS Policy Risk Assessment Presidential Advisory Group" (MLS PAG). The group included MLS executives, brokers, association leaders, and industry partners.
After its review, the MLS PAG put forward 18 recommendations aimed at reinforcing local discretion—such as non-member access to MLS—modernizing administrative rules, and removing outdated enforcement practices. These recommendations were approved by both the MLS Committee and Executive Committee and shared with NAR’s Board of Directors after prior approval from the MLS Technology and Emerging Issues Advisory Board.
The updated policies will be published in the 2026 MLS Handbook, set for release in January 2026. According to NAR, these changes are designed to help members better serve their clients and reflect current real estate practices.
“These updates to the MLS Handbook strengthen and modernize NAR's policies and reflect our efforts to align MLS policies with how real estate professionals do business today,” said Sears. “I want to thank each of our MLS PAG members, who represent a broad cross-section of our industry, for their time, ideas, and passion. Their recommendations will help our organization and our industry move forward.”
NAR stated that it will continue working transparently on further policy modernization efforts to reduce legal risks and improve service for members and consumers.
The National Association of Realtors is America’s largest trade association involved in residential and commercial real estate. More information about homebuying or selling can be found at facts.realtor.
