Compass made headlines this month with the NWMLS for marketing homes privately without sharing them on the public NWMLS. The issue? Less competition, fewer buyer eyes, potential gatekeeping, and leaving money on the table.
NWMLS CEO Justin Haag made a statement, a summary of which is below:
For over 40 years, Northwest MLS has upheld a cooperative, transparent approach where all property listings are shared with the public and brokerage community to ensure fairness and full market exposure for sellers and buyers. Recently, some brokerage firms have pushed for rules allowing listings to be hidden from consumers—an approach Northwest MLS rejects as exclusionary and self-serving. These firms claim to promote “seller choice,” but in reality, such practices limit competition, reduce transparency, and disadvantage buyers, sellers, and the broader market. Northwest MLS reaffirms its commitment to an open, equitable marketplace that benefits everyone and opposes any form of discrimination or restricted access to property listings.
My take? The Northwest MLS was built to level the playing field—for buyers, sellers, and brokers alike. Yes, there are rare cases where off-market listings make sense, but let’s be clear: quiet listings rarely maximize a sellers market exposure. My job is to make sure your home doesn’t just get listed- it gets noticed.
When you list your home with full market exposure, you unlock powerful advantages:
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Greater visibility
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More buyer competition
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Stronger offers
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Full compliance and transparency
Let’s talk about how to get your home the attention it truly deserves. Email me at [email protected]
