What Does the Future Hold for MLS in 2026?
Punxsutawney Phil is a rodent that can’t talk. Instead, we summoned MLS humans Oregon Kurt and Milwaukee Chris as prognosticators. What does the future hold for MLS in 2026? Renters, portals doing things (we’ve already seen it this week), de-risking and hopefully free beer:
🔮 Three Thoughts from Kurt von Wasmuth, CEO of RMLS:
The Year of the Renter – “In 2026, the starter home is hope itself. So we might as well track the people doing the hoping.”
NAR Will Continue Its ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ Phase – “It’s like NAR handed the MLSs the steering wheel and said ‘Good luck!’ while exiting a rapidly moving car.”
Courtesy Makes a Comeback – “Realtors will try something revolutionary: calling customer support before they use Facebook to complain. Realtors, Associations, MLS… EVERYONE will turn to better customer service.”
🔮 Rapid Fire from Chris Lambrou, CEO of Metro MLS:
“Fewer MLSs, more complicated partnerships. AI use in real estate faces newly established industry guidelines. Listing input directly on consumer portals. NAR launches a new tech advisory group to compete with RESO. The first MLS brewed beer launches in Milwaukee, WI.”
This story originally ran in The Waffle MLS Newsletter. Interested in Markt? Contact us.
