Four large multiple listing services are the first to adopt the National Association of Realtors-mandated MLS tech standards widely expected to set the stage for tech developers to build more, better and cheaper agent and broker tools powered by real estate data.

Northern California-based MLS MetroList Services Inc. was the first MLS to take the step in January, and Silicon Valley-based MLSListings Inc., Chicago-based Midwest Real Estate Data and Rockville, Maryland-based Metropolitan Regional Information Systems Inc. have jumped on board since then.

Together, they serve more than 100,000 agent members.

Hundreds of other MLSs are expected to implement the set of real estate data standards developed by the nonprofit Real Estate Standards Organization, called the RESO Data Dictionary, by the end of the year.

Dubbed the “Rosetta Stone for real estate data,” the Data Dictionary is a standardized set of data terms for the most common descriptions of property characteristics used in the industry.

At its annual meeting in November, the board of the National Association of Realtors approved a policy requiring Realtor-affiliated MLSs to comply with the Data Dictionary by Jan. 1, 2016. The vast majority of the nation’s 850-plus MLSs are Realtor-affiliated.

The nation’s largest MLS, California Regional MLS, will be ready to test for certification by the end of this month, the firm’s CEO, Art Carter, told Inman.

Jeremy Crawford

Jeremy Crawford

“Many of the MLSs are waiting on their technology vendors to complete implementation, so we expect to see a flood of certifications in the third and fourth quarter of this year in order to meet the end-of-the-year NAR policy mandates for Realtor-owned, -affiliated multiple listing services,” RESO’s executive director, Jeremy Crawford, told Inman.

Email Paul Hagey.

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
Only 3 days left to register for Inman Connect Las Vegas before prices go up! Don't miss the premier event for real estate pros.Register Now ×
Limited Time Offer: Get 1 year of Inman Select for $199SUBSCRIBE×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×