Under what condition are MLS feeds required for Christies International Real Estate franchisees?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
5.12. Multiple Listing Services Data.
(a) The Responsible Broker will need a real estate brokers license(s) from the state(s) in which you do business. You may need to be a member of the state, local, and National Association of REALTORS®. You must be a member of the local or regional multiple listing services (MLS), and obtain a data feed, as we specify. You understand that if you fail to provide us with the information from your MLS, then you may not receive certain services or access to certain tools of the Computer System, including the Proprietary Software, and you will be in default under this Agreement. Therefore, in order to access all services and tools under the Computer System, and to remain in compliance with this Agreement, you must provide us with the approved data feed from your MLS. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you shall not be required to follow any National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, or local MLS Rules and Regulations should those codes, standards, rules, or regulations potentially violate any state or federal antitrust or unfair competition laws.
- (b) You must provide us with a data feed from your MLS(s) that enables you, your agents, us, and our affiliates to display listings on the Internet for consumers to view online.
We may utilize this data feed for any reason, within the rules of the relevant MLS(s) or data feed providers, to run additional reports, aggregate information, track trends, or for any other allowed internal or public-facing marketing or data tracking initiative.
You understand and
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 54–177)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Christies International Real Estate's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to be members of local or regional Multiple Listing Services (MLS) and obtain a data feed as specified by Christies International Real Estate. This requirement is tied to accessing certain services and tools within the Christies International Real Estate computer system, including proprietary software. Failure to provide the required MLS information may result in the franchisee not receiving these services and tools, potentially leading to a default under the Franchise Agreement.
Christies International Real Estate also mandates that franchisees provide a data feed from their MLS that enables the franchisee, their agents, Christies International Real Estate, and its affiliates to display listings on the Internet for consumers to view online. Christies International Real Estate reserves the right to use this data feed for various purposes, including running reports, aggregating information, tracking trends, and other internal or public-facing marketing or data tracking initiatives, as long as it complies with the rules of the relevant MLS or data feed providers.
However, the 2025 FDD also states that Christies International Real Estate franchisees are not required to follow any National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, or local MLS Rules and Regulations should those codes, standards, rules, or regulations potentially violate any state or federal antitrust or unfair competition laws. This clause protects the franchisee from being forced to comply with regulations that may be illegal.
In summary, maintaining an approved MLS data feed is essential for Christies International Real Estate franchisees to fully utilize the brand's resources and remain compliant with the Franchise Agreement, while also being protected from potentially illegal regulations.