Open MLS Is Not a Threat to Realtor Associations

For decades, the relationship between REALTOR associations and MLS organizations has followed a familiar structure. Associations often own the MLS, frequently through a for-profit subsidiary, and MLS access has traditionally required association membership. That model is now under increasing legal, competitive, and strategic scrutiny. A new WAV Group case study examining San Diego’s long-standing Open MLS environment offers real evidence to help leaders evaluate their next move.  

By |2026-02-17T08:21:13-08:00February 17th, 2026|Associations, MLS, WAV Group Research|Comments Off on Open MLS Is Not a Threat to Realtor Associations
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Sharing What Works: A Case Study in MLS Education Excellence

This case study on NorthstarMLS highlights a powerful example of how MLS education is evolving. The most important takeaway is straightforward: program quality matters.

By |2026-02-09T09:29:11-08:00February 9th, 2026|MLS Insights, WAV Group Research|Comments Off on Sharing What Works: A Case Study in MLS Education Excellence
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New WAV Group White Paper: MLSs Must Change Course Now Or Risk Their Demise

This is not a tweak to IDX. It is a call to redesign IDX for an AI-first world.

By |2025-12-11T13:57:35-08:00December 11th, 2025|MLS Insights, WAV Group Research, Whitepaper|Comments Off on New WAV Group White Paper: MLSs Must Change Course Now Or Risk Their Demise
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Why FSBO sellers lose money and why MLSs should share this research

FSBO sellers often underestimate the time, risk, and complexity involved. When things go wrong, they usually lose far more than the commission they intended to save. The research makes this clear, and MLSs are in a strong position to amplify that message to the industry.

By |2025-11-13T15:26:05-08:00November 13th, 2025|MLS Insights, Reports, Research, WAV Group Research, Whitepaper|Comments Off on Why FSBO sellers lose money and why MLSs should share this research
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Brokers are so far behind the portals

Portals have already built that future. Brokers can too, if they’re willing to rethink what “relationship management” really means in a data-driven world.

By |2025-10-30T15:49:42-07:00October 31st, 2025|Broker Information, Broker Technology Research, WAV Group Research|Comments Off on Brokers are so far behind the portals
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Pictures Are Required. Floor Plans Should Be Too.

When you think about what makes a great listing, photos are at the top of the list. They’ve been a non-negotiable for years. You wouldn’t post a property without them—because buyers expect them, and sellers know they’re essential.

By |2025-08-19T05:23:05-07:00August 19th, 2025|Broker-Agent Information, MLS, Real Estate Technology, WAV Group Research|1 Comment
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Brokers, stop selling tech puffery. Start delivering real performance.

The best brokers aren’t selling software. They’re selling simplicity. They remove friction. They make technology usable. And they’re the first call when an agent wants to get better.

By |2025-06-25T15:36:58-07:00June 25th, 2025|Artificial Intelligence, Broker Information, Broker Technology Research, WAV Group Research|Comments Off on Brokers, stop selling tech puffery. Start delivering real performance.
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Why are CEOs still asking permission to buy toilet paper?

Nearly 40% of associations require a second board approval for expenses that have already been approved in the budget. In small and mid-sized organizations, this extra layer of scrutiny can stall initiatives for weeks or even months. In one case, a copier contract cost the association 8% more because it took four months to get final approval. That’s not sound oversight – that’s expensive inefficiency.

By |2025-05-19T11:29:38-07:00May 15th, 2025|Associations, MLS Insights, WAV Group Research|Comments Off on Why are CEOs still asking permission to buy toilet paper?
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Simplifying Homeownership: WAV Group Unveils Survey Insights on Property Management Portals

At WAV Group, we were inspired to learn more about homeownership portals because of our own very real need to manage four personal properties. Managing properties in three distinct locations required us to keep track of preferred vendors for plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and other essential services. We also needed a way to memorialize vendors we used for repairs, painting, and landscaping. Additionally, we needed reminders for routine maintenance tasks. Managing one home is challenging enough, but managing four is even more complicated. Who remembers the last time they changed a furnace filter or cleaned out a dryer vent?

By |2025-03-16T06:54:54-07:00January 9th, 2025|Broker-Agent Information, Homeowner Under Management, Research, WAV Group Research|Comments Off on Simplifying Homeownership: WAV Group Unveils Survey Insights on Property Management Portals
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Should NAR Modify Clear Cooperation Policy? WAV Group Releases Study Findings

WAV Group shares the results of its Clear Cooperation Study to gain directional insights into the feelings of brokers and MLSs regarding the Clear Cooperation Policy incorporated into the model rules by the National Association of REALTORS®.

By |2024-09-10T09:50:21-07:00September 10th, 2024|Announcements, Industry Observations, Legal in Real Estate, WAV Group Research|1 Comment
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WAV Group Releases 2024 Brokerage Technology Roadmap (4-part series)

As the real estate industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, brokerages face the challenge of staying competitive in a landscape dominated by well-funded search portals and technology-driven firms. To help navigate this complex terrain, the WAV Group is releasing its 2024 Brokerage Technology Roadmap, offering invaluable insights for brokerages and their technology partners. In the inaugural report of this four-part series, we delve into the crucial realm of website technology – a cornerstone of modern real estate operations. Here, we identify four essential components that are instrumental in equipping brokerages to thrive amidst fierce competition:

By |2024-07-16T12:54:44-07:00March 20th, 2024|Broker Technology Research, Real Estate Technology, Research, WAV Group Research|Comments Off on WAV Group Releases 2024 Brokerage Technology Roadmap (4-part series)
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The Shifting Dynamics of Buyer-Agent Relationships in Real Estate

In the ever-evolving realm of real estate, the age-old question of whether to hire a buyer's agent is gaining renewed prominence, fueled by recent lawsuits that seek to shift compensation structures. As aspiring homeowners embark on their journey to property ownership, the necessity of engaging an agent is coming under increased scrutiny. Our latest research report, titled "How buyers feel about working with agents" delves into the services homebuyers value most and the imperative for agents to articulate the value they bring to the table in today's dynamic market.

By |2024-01-03T09:04:23-08:00January 3rd, 2024|Broker-Agent Information, Industry Observations, Reports, Research, Suveys and Research, WAV Group Research|Comments Off on The Shifting Dynamics of Buyer-Agent Relationships in Real Estate
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