New MLS Rules Let Sellers Choose How to List

Flexibility for home sellers and their listing agents is key to keeping the open housing market flourishing. That’s the spirit behind the Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP), first introduced by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) in 2020.

This policy requires brokers to submit listings to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) within one business day of publicly marketing the property. It was “designed to shore up the pro-competitive, pro-consumer benefits” of MLSs and “ensure transparency and fairness.” By curbing the prevalence of private or “pocket” listings, CCP aimed to level the playing field for all buyers and uphold fair housing practices.

What’s Changing in 2025?

On March 25, NAR President Kevin Sears announced a new policy update designed to work in harmony with the original CCP. The Multiple Listing Options for Sellers policy was introduced to offer additional flexibility to brokers while ensuring buyers and their agents still have equal access to MLS property information.

“The Multiple Listing Options for Sellers Policy will work alongside CCP and other MLS policies to provide sellers and their agents more options and choice when marketing a property, while also supporting fair housing,” explains the NAR website.

New Seller Options: Two Paths Forward

The policy introduces two key paths sellers can choose from when listing their home:

Office Exclusive Exempt Listing
This allows the home to be marketed exclusively within the brokerage—no yard signs, no online ads. If at any point the property is marketed publicly, the agent must submit it to the MLS within one business day.
Delayed Marketing Exempt Listing
This route allows the listing to be filed with the MLS but restricts it from being shared via Internet Data Exchange (IDX) or syndication channels. While other MLS agents and subscribers can view and share the listing with clients, it won’t appear on major websites like Realtor.com or Redfin until the delayed period ends.

Each MLS will set its own delayed marketing timeframe, allowing flexibility based on the local real estate climate. For now, MLSs have until September 30, 2025, to adopt and implement these changes.

What This Means for Orange County Sellers

For sellers in Orange County, this is a game-changer. The choice is now yours. Want to test the waters quietly through office exclusivity or wait until timing is just right with a delayed marketing strategy? You’ve got options.

Be aware: whichever route you choose, a signed disclosure is required, and visibility in the MLS is still part of the equation. According to a Bright MLS study, homes listed publicly on MLS sold for 17.5% more on average than off-market sales from 2019 to early 2023. That’s serious money left on the table if you stay private too long.

And if you're wondering whether you can completely opt out—nope. “Any listing that is ‘publicly marketed’ must be filed with the service and provided to other MLS participants for cooperation within one business day,” says NAR.

Bottomline

Whether you're a seasoned homeowner or planning your first sale, the landscape is shifting—and in your favor. The new Multiple Listing Options for Sellers policy offers more control over how and when your home hits the market while keeping the system fair for everyone involved.

If you're thinking about making a move in or out of Orange County, now’s the perfect time to have a deeper conversation. At Whitestone Real Estate, we don’t just list homes—we craft tailored strategies to help you build wealth, move smart, and stay ahead of market trends. Let’s talk about how these new policies can work in your favor.

Reference: Sartore-Bodo, D. (2025, March 25). NAR Clear Cooperation Policy: What to know about changes to the MLS procedures. Realtor.com.