In March 2025, NAR announced a new MLS initiative allowing seller flexibility in listing marketing. Let’s break down those options and explain how they impact CVR MLS rules.
NAR’s New Delayed Marketing Exempt Listing (DMEL)
What is it?
A DMEL listing is an active listing that has opted to delay external marketing to IDX and third-party portals. Per NAR’s rules, these listings:
- Are in the Active status in the MLS
- Can be advertised and marketed
- Can be shown
- Will accrue DOM
- Will not be sent to external sites under the direction of the seller’s instructions
- Require the Seller’s authorization
What does that mean in CVR MLS?
A DMEL listing in CVR MLS is an Active listing with the Internet Display fields in Matrix set to NO. CVR MLS has always allowed listing agents and their clients the flexibility to control its external internet marketing. Here’s how:
- Seller’s preference for internet marketing is captured in the Internet and Other Media section of the Listing Agreement (for example, Section 11 in the CVR 345 – Standard Agency Agreement)
- In the listing input, the Internet Display fields are set to NO
- The length of time that a listing can remain as a DMEL is up to the Seller.
Office Exclusive
What is it?
An Office Exclusive listing is a listing in which the Seller has directed the listing agent to withhold any public marketing and only make the listing available to agents within the listing agent’s firm. This means that the listing is not entered into the MLS or advertised anywhere outside of the firm including social media sites and external websites.
What does that mean in CVR MLS?
CVR MLS has had an Office Exclusive rule for many years. These listings:
- Require the CVR 145 – Owner Listing Opt-Out Authorization to be signed by the seller and forwarded to the MLS within three (3) days of seller’s ratification
- Are exempt from MLS Input
- May not be publicly marketed anywhere outside of the listing firm.
- Can only be shown within the firm
- Require MLS submission if any public marketing is performed
- The duration of the Office Exclusivity may be for the entirety of the duration of the listing agreement or for a defined period of time
Clear Cooperation
What is it?
The Clear Cooperation Rule (CCP) is a mandatory NAR rule that states that any listing that is publicly marketed must be entered into the MLS within one business day of the public marketing. Public marketing is very broad and includes but is not limited to:
- Any social media marketing (even if the specific address is not given)
- Any public or broker open houses
- Signs in the yard
- Any publicly available marketing material
- Advertising by a photographer, stager, or even the owner
What does it mean in CVR MLS?
CCP has been in effect in CVR MLS rules since April 2020 and NAR has not made any changes to the enforcement of CCP.
If any listing that is not entered into the MLS is publicly advertised (as defined above), then the listing agent must submit the listing into the MLS within one (1) business day.
What happens if you have a listing that has been publicly marketed but is not ready for MLS submission?
Unfortunately, the listing still must go into the MLS as the rules of public marketing are very clear. You do have a few options, such as:
- Making it a DMEL listing
- Entering the listing as a Coming Soon if you still have room within the 45-day window
- Delaying showings On the listing once you have submitted the listing as Active.
If you run into this situation, please contact the MLS compliance team so we can help you work through your options.
CVR MLS Compliance can be reached at [email protected] or (804) 422-5004.
