Under current NAR Policy, “associations are encouraged to establish multiple listing services that encompass natural market areas and to periodically re-examine such boundaries to ensure that they encompass the relevant market area.” To follow this policy, and to provide the best possible service to California brokers, CRMLS periodically re-examines the boundaries of its service area and may expand its area based on current listing volume in particular regions.
This may mean that new regions are added to the CRMLS service area. To clear up any confusion about the definition of the “service area,” we’ve prepared answers to some common questions real estate professionals may have.
If I am not a CRMLS user (i.e., I am not a member of a CRMLS-participating AOR/BOR), but am engaged in the business of buying and selling real estate in a service area covered by CRMLS, do I have to input my listings into CRMLS?
No. Real estate professionals who do not subscribe to CRMLS are not bound by CRMLS Rules and Regulations.
If I am a CRMLS user, and am engaged in the business of buying and selling real estate in a service area covered by CRMLS, do I have to input my listing into CRMLS?
Yes. If you are a CRMLS user, and your listing is within the CRMLS service area as currently defined, you must input it into CRMLS. Pursuant to article 7.8 (“Mandatory Submission”) in the CRMLS Rules and Regulations, CRMLS user input of listings within the service area is mandatory. The only exceptions occur when the seller of a listing specifically elects not to have their listing entered into CRMLS. In those cases, the seller must fill out a Seller Exclusion Form, and the real estate professional representing their listing sale must submit the form to CRMLS.
What if I am a CRMLS user with a listing in the CRMLS service area and my seller doesn’t want to put their listing in CRMLS?
As stated above, the only exceptions to the CRMLS listing submission mandate occur when the seller of a listing specifically elects not to have their listing entered into CRMLS. In those cases, the seller must fill out a Seller Exclusion Form, and the real estate professional representing their listing sale must submit the form.
Is adding new areas to the CRMLS Service Area the same as a merger?
No. Unless CRMLS specifically communicates that such a consolidation has taken place, there has not been a merger or addition of participating Associations. Expansion of the CRMLS service area is not the same as, and does not imply, MLS consolidation. When the CRMLS service area expands, it is due to the number of listings CRMLS has in the areas being added. CRMLS expands its service areas to “encompass the relevant market area” in which its users do business.