Major brokerages launch Open Real Estate to enhance listing control

Four of the largest brokerage companies in the U.S., representing about 300,000 agents, announced the creation of Open Real Estate (ORE), a shared listing database designed to operate alongside traditional Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), HousingWire reported.

ORE aims to allow agents to enter a listing once within one business day of signing the agreement, giving sellers the choice to share listings either with agents at member brokerages or more broadly with MLSs, portals, and appraisers, according to HousingWire.

The initiative reflects brokers’ desire for stronger ownership of their listings and clearer rights over the data generated, as MLSs expand data licensing and AI deals, the report explained.

While no MLS has yet committed to adopting ORE listings, some, like MARIS in St. Louis, have expressed support and acknowledged room for improvement in current systems, HousingWire noted.

MLSs have been developing new businesses around broker data, including consumer search sites and data companies, but brokers feel these efforts do not fully address their needs for listing control and data rights, according to a MLS executive cited by HousingWire.

ORE’s vendor selection is expected in early 2027, and although broker-led single points of entry have faced challenges before, the launch signals brokers’ push for better alternatives to existing MLS offerings.