Cooperation: It’s Hard To Tell the Poison From the Cure

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Overview

Rob and Greg discuss Northwest MLS countersuing Compass and the broader implications for private listings, cooperation, and MLS rules. The conversation centers on whether MLSs should enforce listing transparency, how “coming soon” and private exclusives are being used, and whether current policies are conflating professional cooperation with public marketing. They also explore potential futures for IDX, syndication, and the role of MLSs in regulating broker behavior.

Key Takeaways

Lawsuit Focus – Northwest MLS is challenging Compass over private listing practices.
Core Tension – Cooperation (agent access) vs. public marketing are being conflated.
Private Listings – Debate over seller choice vs. market transparency.
MLS Role – Split on whether MLS should enforce behavior or just enable cooperation.
IDX Debate – Idea to remove IDX vs. risk of fragmenting listings.
Fiduciary Risk – Future lawsuits may hinge on agent advice to sellers.
Inconsistent Rules – “Coming soon” policies vary widely across MLSs.
Fairness Concern – Private networks could limit access to listings.