4 Real estate giants team up to create new, shared listings platform

The battle over who controls real estate listings just got a lot bigger. Four of the nation’s largest brokerage companies are joining forces to launch a national data-sharing initiative that could challenge the growing use of private listing networks. The initiative, called Open Real Estate, brings together AGNT Inc. (eXp Realty and NextHome), HomeServices of America, Keller Williams Realty and Real REMAX Group to create a shared platform designed to expand access to property listings, increase exposure for sellers and reduce barriers to listing information. Brown Harris Stevens, Lamacchia Realty, Samson Properties and Windermere Real Estate are participating brokers. The move comes as Compass pushes back against MLS rules that limit private listing marketing, highlighting a growing divide in the industry over who controls listing data and whether homes should be marketed to the widest possible audience or kept within individual brokerage networks. The companies plan to develop a shared technology platform that allows participating brokerages and agents to enter property listings and distribute that information to multiple listing services (MLSs), real estate portals and other auth...