Executive Summary
Local MLSs now are no longer required to restrict MLS access to NAR members.
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) just repealed its long-standing policy requiring agents and brokers to join local, state, and national associations to access the MLS. This means a non-Realtor brokerage, like Easy Realty, Florida’s Thompson Broker, can now expand nationwide without paying thousands in unnecessary dues.
This is the moment we’ve been waiting for.
Key Takeaways
- NAR repealed 18 MLS policies, including mandatory membership for MLS access
- Local MLSs now have full discretion to grant access to non-members
- Easy Realty’s Thompson Broker model can now be implemented nationwide
- Brokers can save thousands annually by skipping NAR, state, and local dues
- NAR is shifting from monopoly to trade organization and must now prove its value
- The Thompson Broker model is poised to dominate
NAR Just Changed Everything: The Non-Realtor Thompson Broker Model Goes National
What Changed?
NAR’s MLS Handbook just got its biggest update in 20 years. After a comprehensive antitrust risk assessment, NAR repealed 18 policies that centralized control over MLS access and enforcement. The most important change? Local MLSs now decide who gets access and they’re no longer required to restrict it to dues-paying NAR members.
NAR Is No Longer a Monopoly
For decades, NAR operated like a monopoly. If you wanted MLS access, you had to pay dues to NAR, your state association, and your local board, whether you wanted to or not.
Now, NAR is becoming what it should have been all along: a trade organization. One that must earn its membership by providing actual value. And frankly, most agents won’t see the point.
We predict that as many as 60% of agents will opt out of NAR entirely. Why pay hundreds in dues when you can access the MLS without them?
The Thompson Broker Model Goes National
Easy Realty charges just $495 per transaction side with a $4,950 annual cap. No monthly fees. No NAR dues. E&O included. Agents keep more of their commission and skip the politics.
This model was previously viable only in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, states where MLS access didn’t require NAR membership. With this policy repeal, Easy Realty and other non-Realtor brokerages can now join MLSs across the country.
How Much Can Brokers Save?
Here’s a quick breakdown of typical annual dues:
| Association | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Local AOR | $300–$500 |
| State AOR | $200–$300 |
| NAR | $195 |
| Total | $695–$995 per agent |
Multiply that by 100 agents and you’re looking at $70,000–$100,000 in dues, just to access the MLS. With this repeal, brokers can eliminate that cost entirely.
Better Resources Exist Online
Agents don’t need NAR to succeed. There are better tools, training platforms, and communities online, many of them free or low-cost. From MNKY Agency’s Knowledge Base to YouTube coaching channels, agents can build thriving businesses without paying dues to legacy organizations.
What Brokers Should Do Now
- Audit your MLSs: Find out which ones have already implemented the new policy
- Contact MLS leadership: Request non-member access under the new rules
- Update your recruiting: Promote your non-Realtor status as a cost-saving advantage
- Partner with Easy Realty: If you’re in Florida, join the movement. If you’re outside Florida, replicate it.
The Future of Real Estate Is Non-Realtor
This isn’t just a win for Easy Realty. It’s a win for every broker who’s tired of paying dues to organizations that don’t deliver value. The Thompson Broker model is lean, agent-friendly, and now, thanks to NAR’s policy change, scalable nationwide.
FAQs
Can I join the MLS without being a Realtor now?
Yes. Local MLSs now have the discretion to grant access to non-members.
Does this mean I don’t have to pay NAR dues?
Correct. If your MLS allows non-member access, you can skip NAR, state, and local dues entirely.
Is Easy Realty expanding outside Florida?
Yes. Easy Realty is actively exploring partnerships in other states to bring the Thompson Broker model nationwide.
What is the Thompson Broker model?
A flat-fee, non-Realtor brokerage model offering MLS access without association dues. Easy Realty charges $495 per transaction side with a $4,950 annual cap.
How do I know if my MLS allows non-member access?
Contact your local MLS directly. Many are updating their policies now that NAR has repealed the national requirement.
About Easy Realty
Easy Realty is Florida’s Thompson Broker, a non-Realtor brokerage offering agents MLS access without the politics or dues. With fanatical support, a flat $495 transaction fee and E&O included, Easy Realty is redefining what it means to be a modern brokerage.
About MNKY Agency
MNKY Agency is the real estate industry’s leading real estate agent recruitment and marketing agency. We recruit for all brokerage models, including non-Realtor, flat-fee, and 100% commission brokerages. Our pay-per-transaction model means we only earn when you do.
