Open Real Estate: Housing markets must remain open to all

From the Founding Members and Participating Real Estate Organizations of Open Real Estate For generations, the U.S. housing market has been built on a simple but powerful principle: broad access to listing information expands opportunity and promotes competition. When real estate professionals share information, buyers discover more homes, sellers reach more potential buyers, and that competition helps sellers and buyers achieve their best possible outcomes. Today, that principle is being tested. Homes are increasingly marketed privately, outside public listing systems, and in ways that limit competition and reduce transparency. Differences in how listing information is collected, maintained and shared across the industry can undermine its consistency, comparability and accessibility. When listings and property data are fragmented or restricted, buyers risk missing available homes, sellers risk reaching fewer potential buyers, and the transparency and competition that underpin a healthy housing market weaken. We believe that access, information and transparency should be a benefit, not a barrier to anyone looking to purchase a home. Buyers deserve fair and comprehensive access to a...