Home
/
Resources
/
Clear Cooperation Information

Clear Cooperation Information

Updated as of August 2025

National Association of REALTORS® Clear Cooperation

This page will be updated frequently to bring you the most current information as it relates to Clear Cooperation.

NAR Multiple Listing Options for Sellers (MLOS) - Effective Tues., Sept. 30, 2025

Reference the NAR MLOS policy and FAQs
- NAR has clarified its policy interpretation that one-to-one, broker-to-broker communications about listings do not trigger Clear Cooperation Policy (CCP) requirements. However, multi-brokerage communications about a listing will constitute public marketing under CCP
- The MLOS policy changes do not change the CCP requirement to file a listing with the CAAR MLS within one (1) business day from public marketing
Navigate to the CAAR Residential MLS Changes webpage for CAAR MLS Rules and Regulations and Paragon MLS system changes

NAR Clear Cooperation is Here

The NAR Clear Cooperation policy went into effect May 1, 2020. The policy requires MLS subscribers to submit their listing to the MLS within one business day of marketing the property to the public.

The policy, mandated by NAR, addresses the growing use of off-MLS listings. It does not prohibit brokers from taking office-exclusive listings, nor does it impede brokers’ ability to meet their clients’ privacy needs.

To get a closer look at NAR’s Clear Cooperation policy, click here.

Field Rules for Entering a Coming Soon Listing

The Coming Soon Status is available in these classes: Residential, Land, Multifamily
Coming Soon status will NOT accrue Days on Market
A Partial or Provisional Listing can be saved to Coming Soon status
On-Market Date is a required field only if you select the Coming Soon status. The On Market Date tells other agents when the listing is anticipated to be Active and available for showing or purchase.
Agent cannot set an On-Market Date more than 14 days after the List Date
A listing in the Coming Soon status will automatically change to Active 15 days after the List Date or On Market Date, whichever is sooner; the agent can manually change it to Active.
Coming Soon status can be changed to Active, Withdrawn, or Hold
Once out of the Coming Soon status, a listing cannot go back to Coming Soon status unless the listing has been in an off market status more than 60 days. On the 61st day the off-market listing may be copy/cloned as a new listing.

Best Practices for How to Avoid a Clear Cooperation Violation

This is how your business can adapt and change before a fine is imposed.

When responding to an inquiry requesting information about a property not yet in the MLS, do not give identifiable details about the property. You CAN say, for example, “I have a 2 bed, 3 bath property coming soon in Crozet” but no additional details. Conversations with specific identifying information are considered marketing, whether in-person or written.
A Coming Soon property posted on social media, on your own personal website, or your firm’s public website must be entered in the MLS within one (1) business day of public marketing. A business day is defined as 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. – Fri. excluding Sat., Sun., and Federal Holidays.
If you are sending flyers to the neighborhood about a property that is coming on the market, the property must be listed in the MLS prior to distribution.
If you make personal phone calls to agents that you know specialize in a particular neighborhood or that type of property to let them know a property is coming on the market, the property must be listed in the MLS following the (1) business day rule.

Download the How to Avoid MLS Violations & Fines handout under MLS Documents section of the Paragon homepage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find the updated CAAR MLS Rules & Regulations document that will be implemented on May 1?
a. Under the MLS documents link in the upper right corner of Paragon Homepage.
What is the Clear Cooperation Policy?
a. 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. Public marketing includes, but is not limited to, flyers displayed in windows, yard signs, digital marketing on public facing websites, brokerage website displays (including IDX and VOW), digital communications marketing (email blasts), multi-brokerage listing sharing networks, and applications available to the general public. (Adopted 11/19)
b. Read more information on the NAR website.
When did the Clear Cooperation Policy go into effect?
a. May 1, 2020
What happens if I do not enter a listing within 1 business day of being marketed?
a. You will be notified and fined as outlined in the MLS Rules & Regulations, Appendix F.
What is the new Coming Soon status?
a. Coming Soon = Listings that are getting ready to be shown and pre-marketed but are not available for showing appointments yet.
What do my sellers need to sign if I use the Coming Soon status?
a. Please read and have sellers sign the MLS Rules & Regulations, Appendix I-Part 1 & 2
How long can a listing be in the Coming Soon status?
a. 14 days. On the 15th day, the listing will automatically be converted to Active.
What property classes have a Coming Soon status?
a. Residential, Land and Multi-Family
Do Days on Market (DOM) accrue in the Coming Soon status?
a. No
What if I show a house in the Coming Soon status?
a. You will be fined as outlined in the MLS Rules & Regulations, Appendix F.
What is the update definition of an Active listing?
a. Active = Property is available for showing and for purchase. An Active listing MUST be available to show and to take offers. NO Active listing may include comments that the listing is not available to show until a future date.
How soon after my listing agreement is signed does the listing need to be available in the MLS?
a. 1 business day
Who can see the Coming Soon status?
a. Subscribers, at the direction of their client, can choose to change the “include on IDX” field to “No” in the Paragon MLS system.
Can I include a virtual tour or virtual open house link on a Coming Soon listing?
a. Yes.
Can another agent send my Coming Soon listing information to their client?
a. Yes.
Can an Active or Withdrawn listing be moved back to a Coming Soon status?
a. No.
Am I in violation of the Clear Cooperation Policy if my seller tells a friend or posts a message on social media promoting their Coming Soon property?
a. No.
If an agent sends a broadcast email asking if anyone has a listing in a specific neighborhood or with specific features, and I respond saying one of my clients has a listing coming available soon, am I in violation of the Clear Cooperation Policy?
a. If you respond and say that you have a client who has a listing in that neighborhood or with that specific criteria, but do not give additional details about the property, you have not publicly marketed your property and are NOT in violation of the Clear Cooperation Policy.
Is there a violation if a contract is offered on a Coming Soon listing “sight unseen”?
a. No. The List Agent should move the listing to the Active status and then to the Pending status.
If I’ve marketed a listing as “Coming Soon” prior to May 1, do I need to add it to the MLS as an official Coming Soon listing?
a. If you publicly market a property on May 1 or after, you must enter it into the MLS within 1 business day.
Will the Coming Soon listing # be the same as the Active listing #?
a. Yes.
If my listing is in the Coming Soon status but will not be ready for Active status on the 15th day, what should I do?
a. Place the listing on Hold or Withdraw the listing. May only be in HOLD status for an emergency for up to 72 hours.
Can I publicly market a Coming Soon listing?
a. Yes, as long as it is in the MLS.
Will Paragon send me a reminder message letting me know that my Coming Soon listing is near the 14th day in this status?
a. No. You will need to track the date your Coming Soon listing will automatically switch to active on the 15th day.
How do I report a listing that I believe violates the Coming Soon or Clear Cooperation Policy?
a. Property address
b. Name of Brokerage firm
c. Name of List Agent
d. Documentation showing the property is being shown in the Coming Soon status OR documentation that the property is being advertised when not in the MLS
Is the Coming Soon status included in IDX feeds?
a. Yes; As of Nov. 10, 2025 Coming Soon listings will display, in RETS/IDX/VOW feeds. Subscribers, at the direction of their client, can choose to change the “Include on IDX” field to “No” in the Paragon MLS system.
How will listings in the Coming Soon status appear?
a. Listings in the Coming Soon status will appear as “new” when entered. Once the Coming Soon listing is switched to the Active status, it will not appear as a “new” listing, however the status change will appear on the Hot Sheet.
Is there a particular order when entering information for a Coming Soon listing?
a. Please enter the County before entering Subdivision, Schools, and Zoning.

Questions?

Please contact membership@caar.com

Be a part of the affordable housing solution!

Get Social

CAAR Facebook group members only

CAAR YPN Facebook group members only

CAAR Group

YouTube Channel

Clear Cooperation Information

National Association of REALTORS® Clear Cooperation

NAR Multiple Listing Options for Sellers (MLOS) - Effective Tues., Sept. 30, 2025

NAR Clear Cooperation is Here

Field Rules for Entering a Coming Soon Listing

Best Practices for How to Avoid a Clear Cooperation Violation

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions?

Be a part of the affordable housing solution!

Address:

Phone/Fax:

Hours of Operation:

Other Links

Clear Cooperation Information

National Association of REALTORS® Clear Cooperation

NAR Multiple Listing Options for Sellers (MLOS) - Effective Tues., Sept. 30, 2025

NAR Clear Cooperation is Here

Field Rules for Entering a Coming Soon Listing

Best Practices for How to Avoid a Clear Cooperation Violation

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions?

Be a part of the affordable housing solution!

Address:

Phone/Fax:

Hours of Operation:

Other Links

CAAR.com