Clear Cooperation Policy

The National Association of REALTORS® passed a required policy that is now in effect for all Realtracs MLS customers. At its core, it requires that all executed listings advertised to the public must be input into the Realtracs system.

Our goal has always been to share all listings with cooperating brokers, exposing those listings to potential buyers in order to maximize offers. The result – the best sales price for clients.

Clear Cooperation Policy

The National Association of REALTORS® passed a required policy that is now in effect for all Realtracs MLS customers. At its core, it requires that all executed listings advertised to the public must be input into the Realtracs system.

Our goal has always been to share all listings with cooperating brokers, exposing those listings to potential buyers in order to maximize offers. The result – the best sales price for clients.

The Intent of NAR's Clear Cooperation Policy
For those who choose to participate in MLS, Clear Cooperation intends to reinforce cooperation among competing brokers - for the benefit of sellers and buyers - by eliminating the practice of taking, marketing, and selling pocket listings. Pocket listings generally run counter to the broad exposure of listings, to maximizing the number of received offers, to cooperation among all broker participants in MLS, and to maximizing exposure of the listing to all potential buyer demographics.
The Intent of NAR's Clear Cooperation Policy
For those who choose to participate in MLS, Clear Cooperation intends to reinforce cooperation among competing brokers - for the benefit of sellers and buyers - by eliminating the practice of taking, marketing, and selling pocket listings. Pocket listings generally run counter to the broad exposure of listings, to maximizing the number of received offers, to cooperation among all broker participants in MLS, and to maximizing exposure of the listing to all potential buyer demographics.
Understanding Clear Cooperation
Understanding Clear Cooperation

To address various nuances of the policy, triggers are dependent upon decisions made by the seller’s agent specific to the seller’s needs.
To address various nuances of the policy, triggers are dependent upon decisions made by the seller’s agent specific to the seller’s needs.

Clear Cooperation applies to existing homes, parcels, renovations, remodels, and single home new construction. New construction with multiple properties under a blanket listing agreement, rental, and commercial are exempt from the CC policy. The Exempt listing policy cannot be used to circumvent Clear Cooperation. Any listing moved from Coming Soon to an Active or UC-Showing status cannot be moved back to Coming Soon/Hold within a five-day period.

Exempt Listing Form

If a Listing Agreement has been signed, and the listing is not yet ready to be marketed and shown, the agent has two options:


  1. Enter listing in an Incomplete status in Realtracs and attach the Seller’s Waiver of Broker Cooperation via MLS and Public Marketing to the listing document, and perform NO public marketing, or

  2. Enter in the MLS as Coming Soon and all public marketing is permitted EXCEPT showings.

Clear Cooperation applies to existing homes, parcels, renovations, remodels, and single home new construction. New construction with multiple properties under a blanket listing agreement, rental, and commercial are exempt from the CC policy. The Exempt listing policy cannot be used to circumvent Clear Cooperation. Any listing moved from Coming Soon to an Active or UC-Showing status cannot be moved back to Coming Soon/Hold within a five-day period.

Exempt Listing Form

If a Listing Agreement has been signed, and the listing is not yet ready to be marketed and shown, the agent has two options:


  1. Enter listing in an Incomplete status in Realtracs and attach the Seller’s Waiver of Broker Cooperation via MLS and Public Marketing to the listing document, and perform NO public marketing, or

  2. Enter in the MLS as Coming Soon and all public marketing is permitted EXCEPT showings.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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Rule Changes for Clear Cooperation
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Rule Changes for Clear Cooperation
The End Result

With a better approach came a better result on how to implement Clear Cooperation.

  • The changes ensure longstanding, customary business practices in the brokerage community are preserved. Agents and brokers can continue to service their clients’ needs through networking with one another.

  • This adopted policy is equitable for all Realtracs subscribers and brokers firms.

  • With the new waiver form for Exempt Listings, the policy increases transparency with sellers and reduces liability for listing agents and brokers.

  • Sellers with legitimate privacy concerns are protected.

  • The policy meets the NAR mandate but does not erode the value of MLS.

The End Result

With a better approach came a better result on how to implement Clear Cooperation.

  • The changes ensure longstanding, customary business practices in the brokerage community are preserved. Agents and brokers can continue to service their clients’ needs through networking with one another.
  • This adopted policy is equitable for all Realtracs subscribers and brokers firms.
  • With the new waiver form for Exempt Listings, the policy increases transparency with sellers and reduces liability for listing agents and brokers.
  • Sellers with legitimate privacy concerns are protected.
  • The policy meets the NAR mandate but does not erode the value of MLS.

Good REALTORS® provide great service to clients and customers. We believe sharing is caring. And, it sustains a robust real estate market.
That’s the power of realtracs®
Good REALTORS® provide great service to clients and customers. We believe sharing is caring. And, it sustains a robust real estate market.

That’s the power of realtracs®