We have become aware that Zillow is soliciting members of The MLS™/CLAW, encouraging them to join the Greater South Bay Association of REALTORS which is part of a different MLS known as CRMLS.  It is not the role of a third party data site to tell you which Association of REALTORS� to join.  This move appears to be in response to the policy recently implemented by The MLS™/CLAW that puts a 48 hour delay on the data feeds to third party websites, such as Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com.

 

Things to Know 

  • The 48 hour third party data feed policy was designed to drive consumer traffic to the most accurate source of real estate information; the websites of the agents and brokers who service the market and to TheMLS.com™ that captures and drives leads to you at no cost.
  • CRMLS has given notice that they are pulling out of CARETS, as of June 18th.  In a short while, as things now stand, CRMLS will not have access to data from The MLS™/CLAW.
  • The 48 hour third party data feed policy only affects data that appears on third party sites, not MLSs, or IDX data feeds.  The policy is intended to apply only to new listings, not changes, and adjustments are underway for that purpose.
  • The 48 hour third party data feed does not affect any listing or other information that appears in TheMLS.com™ or any other MLS that participates in CARETS. All agents who are members of The MLS™/CLAW or any other CARETS participating MLS will continue to have immediate access to your new or changed listings.  Brokers are also free to distribute their own listing data in any way they elect.
  • Participants of The MLS™/CLAW who do not want the 48 hour delay applied to their listings can contact The MLS™/CLAW and an adjustment will be made for you at no charge.

The bigger picture is that there is an effort underway by some that would force all MLSs to join a statewide MLS.  The leadership of The MLS™/CLAW believes that local control of your MLS is in the best interests of brokers, agents, and the entire real estate community at large.  A single, centralized statewide service would take away local control, reduce choice, and in all likelihood result in increased fees and costs.  Brokers and agents are best served by having choices and the ability to make their own business decisions, including who receives their listing data and any remuneration for that data.

The MLS™/CLAW remains dedicated to providing the best available service and technology to brokers and agents.  We conduct business and implement strategic decisions as determined by the brokers and agents who make those decisions.  We believe that providing choice, unparalleled service, and a more than one-size-fits-all approach, are in the industry's best interest and the best way to assist you in making your business successful.

Annie Ives

The MLS™ CEO