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Understanding MLS Clear Cooperation Policy and Recent Coming Soon Changes

The MLS Clear Cooperation Policy continues to be one of the most important compliance requirements for REALTORS® marketing listings through NTREIS.

As marketing strategies continue evolving across social media, email campaigns, and digital advertising, it is critical for members to understand when a listing must be entered into the MLS and how Coming Soon status may be used appropriately.

What Is the MLS Clear Cooperation Policy?

The MLS Clear Cooperation Policy is outlined under NTREIS MLS Rule 7.01 and requires that if a property is publicly marketed outside of your brokerage, the listing must be entered into the MLS within one (1) business day under either Coming Soon or Active status.

In simple terms, once a property is advertised to the public, it must be submitted to the MLS.

Public marketing includes, but is not limited to:

  • Yard signs
  • Social media posts
  • Email or text marketing blasts
  • Flyers
  • Public-facing websites
  • IDX and VOW displays
  • Multi-brokerage listing sharing networks
  • Mobile applications available to the public

NTREIS MLS Rule 7.01 states:

“Within one (1) business day of marketing a property to the public, the listing broker must submit the listing to the MLS for cooperation with other MLS participants.”

What Counts as a “Business Day”?

NAR defines business days as excluding:

  • Saturdays
  • Sundays
  • Federal holidays
  • State holidays

The policy was revised nationally to create consistency among REALTOR® association MLSs and provide flexibility during non-business days.

Which Listings Fall Under the Policy?

The Clear Cooperation Policy applies to:

  • Residential single-family homes
  • Condominiums
  • Townhomes
  • Half duplexes
  • Farm and ranch properties
  • Residential lots and acreage
  • Multi-family properties up to four units

The policy does not apply to:

  • Lease listings
  • Commercial listings
  • Office Exclusive Listings (unless marketed outside of brokerage)

If a seller does not want their property entered into the MLS, the listing may qualify as an Office Exclusive. However, Office Exclusives have strict marketing limitations.

Office Exclusive listings may only be shared internally among agents within the same brokerage.

This means:

  • No social media posts
  • No yard signs
  • No email blasts
  • No public advertising

Once public marketing occurs, the property must be entered into the MLS within one business day.

Coming Soon Signage and Marketing

A common misunderstanding involves signage and Coming Soon riders.

Simply placing a sign in the yard with a Coming Soon rider does not satisfy MLS requirements unless the property has also been entered into the MLS under Coming Soon status.

If the property is publicly marketed with signage but not entered into the MLS, it may be considered a violation of MLS Rule 7.01.

Recent Changes to Coming Soon Status

Effective October 8, 2025, NTREIS implemented updates to Coming Soon procedures.

What Has Not Changed:

  • Listings may remain in Coming Soon status for up to 30 days.
  • Coming Soon listings do not syndicate to third-party websites such as Zillow or Realtor.com.
  • Listings in Coming Soon status can still appear in MLS searches and client portal emails.
  • Marketing is permitted while in Coming Soon status because the property has been properly entered into the MLS.

What Has Changed:

  • If a listing remains in Coming Soon status beyond day 30, it will automatically convert to Active status on day 31.
  • Sellers may now choose whether showings are allowed while the listing is in Coming Soon status.

One of the most common MLS violations involves agent branding appearing within listing photos.

NTREIS MLS Rule 7.30 prohibits:

  • Agent names
  • Phone numbers
  • Email addresses
  • Website addresses
  • Branding elements within listing photos or photo descriptions.

Only true, current photographs of the property may be used without decorative borders or modifications that misrepresent the property.

Another frequent violation occurs when:

  • a sign is placed on a property,
  • but the listing has not been entered into the MLS under Coming Soon or Active status.

How MetroTex Helps Maintain MLS Data Integrity

MetroTex utilizes several systems and processes to help ensure MLS accuracy and compliance:

  1. Listing Data Checker (LDC)
    1. All new listings are screened through the Listing Data Checker system, which verifies:
      1. address accuracy,
      1. county and city information,
      1. tax IDs,
      1. and compliance with business rules.
    1. The system also screens listing remarks for:
      1. Fair Housing concerns,
      1. prohibited contact information,
      1. and unauthorized website references.
  • Member Reporting
    • MetroTex members may report suspected MLS violations by emailing: violations@metrotex.com
  • Pending Status Monitoring
    • MetroTex proactively reviews listings that remain in Pending status for extended periods, including:
      • 30 days,
      • 90 days,
      • and 365 days.
  • Sales Price Verification
    • Sales data is reviewed to help ensure accurate reporting and maintain reliable market statistics across the MLS.

Need Additional Training?

MetroTex’s Broker Outreach team is available to provide in-office training and MLS education sessions for brokers and agents.

For additional support, contact:
broker@metrotex.com

Agents should continue directing brokerage-specific policy questions to their managing broker.

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