Board of directors approves joining efforts of calREDD, MRMLS
New statewide MLS will serve more than 33,000 real estate professionals statewide
LOS ANGELES, CA – June 15, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — The board of directors of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® on June 12 approved a new structure for the statewide MLS that will merge the efforts of calREDD® with the Multi-Regional Multiple Listing Service Inc. (MRMLS).
The new structure will create one dynamic multiple listing service (MLS) provider serving more than 33,000 real estate professionals and 22 REALTOR® associations statewide. The MRMLS board of directors representing its 12 member associations unanimously approved the proposal last month.
“This is an historic step forward in the evolution of C.A.R.’s initiative to create a statewide MLS,” said REALTOR® Mike Silvas, CALMLS chairman. “Combining our respective strengths and resources will significantly accelerate our shared vision and position the new entity to deliver even more expanded and efficient MLS services for members. The new entity will increase the momentum of the statewide MLS and members should expect to see even more choices and increased services over time.
“This joint effort supports and is in line with the principles which have guided our efforts throughout the process of building a statewide MLS,” he said.
The guiding principles were that: MLS data needs to be fully standardized with local options for data field variation; California REALTORS® should have universal access to all MLS data; use of MLS data and its distribution to third parties should be controlled by the brokers who provide the data; MLS entities should exist for the benefit of participants and subscribers; MLS rules should be uniform and enforced consistently; and the MLS board of directors should include broker owners with appropriate regional representation.
“This is a very positive development for our respective members,” said MRMLS President Richard Stone. “When the calREDD® and MRMLS databases are merged, members will have expanded access to MLS information, greater exposure for their listings, and will be able to select either the calREDD® software system or the Tarasoft Matrix platform currently in use by MRMLS. C.A.R.’s vision consistently has been to offer members choice of systems – merging our efforts will achieve this objective.
“C.A.R., and participating associations, will remain both a member and a fundamental part of the new entity,” Stone said. “Participating associations already have significant voting rights under the current calREDD® structure and will continue to do so under the new structure.”
“Under terms of the new structure approved by our board of directors, C.A.R. will continue to have the right to approve actions such as merger, dissolution or sale of assets, changes in the purpose of the new entity, and changes in the board composition,” Silvas said.
calREDD® and MRMLS will work closely during the transition to the new entity to ensure there are no disruptions in service, the needs of members continue to be met, and associations scheduled to join calREDD® are seamlessly added to the system.
“The Amador Association of REALTORS® is on schedule for a June 21 launch, followed by the Tehama Association of REALTORS® on June 28,” Silvas said. “The new entity will continue to work closely with other associations in the launch queue to identify a cutover date that best meets the needs of the associations and its respective members.”
The mission of Pomona, Calif.-based MRMLS is to deliver, through local member associations, the most affordable, reliable, and convenient listing technology service available, and to provide products and services that support REALTORS® in maximizing use of property data to achieve business goals.
MRMLS Inc. is a member organization made up of 12 local associations of REALTORS® with a service area covering a large area in Southern California, and was one of the founders and integral forces behind the CARETS initiative.
calREDD® is a service of CALMLS, a subsidiary of the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.).
Leading the way…® in California real estate for more than 100 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States, with nearly 150,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.
