Some states have already consolidated their MLSs into one large regional or statewide MLS. MRIS serves participants in Northern Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Connecticut MLS is a statewide MLS. There are already several separate data-sharing and other collaborative MLS efforts going on in California now in Northern California and Southern California and also in the Bakersfield-Fresno region. So, obviously the technology is certainly available for a national effort.

Then, what’s stopping the creation of a National MLS you might ask? Political infighting among the numerous city and regional MLSs is the main culprit. A nationwide MLS, while representing a tremendous benefit to it’s member’s and consumers, is being prevented by the individual MLS executives who face loss of control or even job loss that would be brought about with the consolidation. According to Scott Kucirek, head of the California initiative to start a statewide MLS, …”it’s a little about power and politics, and unfortunately in those conversations what gets left out is what’s right for the members. Everyone says they really are trying to do what’s really right for the members, (but) when you really look at it in many cases that’s not the intent. The politics is the issue.”