Who Owns and Controls the MLS?
Ownership and control of each local MLS will vary, since there are hundreds of MLS systems. In general, a given MLS is owned and controlled by local real estate brokers. This is because the MLS systems were created as a way for local brokers to advertise listings to each other, and to establish fees, conditions and compensation should one broker bring a buyer of a home that is listed by another broker. Thus, real estate brokers tend to own and control the MLS systems because they set it up to help facilitate their business. Even though brokers compete with each other, they cooperate through the MLS system to make it easier for them to do business.
