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Overview
Rob and Greg recap CMLS, from Errol Samuelson’s understated appearance to Robert Reffkin’s scripted, heavily criticized onstage interview with Jessica Edgerton. Rob notes that his engagement with Compass ended in September, though confidentiality restrictions still apply. The conversation then turns to the escalating Compass–CRMLS conflict and a heated debate over what the MLS should be in 2026 and beyond. Rob says MLSs need to define their identity and stop simply reacting to events. Greg says the answer will vary by market. They also clash over whether data-licensing revenue shared with brokers has any real connection to cooperation.
Key Takeaways
- CMLS drew close to 1,000 attendees, but the lack of Wi-Fi in the main hall was a major unforced error.
- Errol Samuelson argued that listing exposure is a form of MLS contribution and urged attendees not to listen to the loudest voice.
- The recent ruling against Zillow went largely unmentioned during Samuelson’s session.
- Robert Reffkin read from prepared notes, repeatedly warned of lawsuits and treble damages, and opened with a 1971 MLS book as a prop.
- The crowd’s reaction to Reffkin seemed to unite MLS leaders rather than divide them.
- CRMLS has published the Compass demand letter and its response, and has filed a declaratory judgment lawsuit.
- Greg sees the fines issue as a red herring, with only eight fines totaling about $3,000.
- Greg expects MLSs to split regionally, with some leaning platform, some staying cooperative, and some landing on hybrids.
- Rob argues every MLS needs to answer two questions: who are we today, and who do we want to be tomorrow?
- Rob says removing compensation should have triggered a fundamental rethink of what cooperation means.
- 1% of brokerages contribute 64% of MLS listings, a fact Rob says the industry has avoided confronting.
- Greg points out that CLAW’s more broker-friendly rules haven’t caused a mass exodus from CRMLS.
- MLSs are experimenting with rewards programs and new data-licensing models that pay brokers for their contributions.
- Rob says data-sales revenue doesn’t require cooperation and that tying the two together is arbitrary.
- Greg says tying payouts to cooperation rules is a legitimate incentive, the “cupcake” for following the rules.
- Rob calls cooperation a structural reality of a two-sided industry that doesn’t need incentives.
- Both agree this kind of debate needs to happen inside MLS boardrooms.
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