Legal action intended to dissolve San Diego’s regional multiple listing service (MLS) has been taken, filed by the Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® (PSAR) and the North San Diego County Association of REALTORS® (NSDCAR), two of three owners of the MLS, the associations recently announced. The action, which came as a result of a dispute between PSAR, NSDCAR and the MLS’ third owner, Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® (SDAR), supports an initiative to transition to a statewide MLS.
The dispute ensued in January of this year, when SDAR filed a federal lawsuit against PSAR, NSDCAR and the MLS, Sandicor, Inc., alleging PSAR and NSDCAR used Sandicor as an “anticompetitive weapon.” The court has since granted motions to dismiss two earlier versions of SDAR’s claim.
“Transitioning to a more robust statewide MLS like benefits all consumers, as well as agents and brokers who work in San Diego County’s real estate industry,” says Anthony Andaya, 2016 president, PSAR. “A move to an MLS that is controlled by brokers who own the data and endorsed by our state association provides our agents with an enhanced ability to serve the clients.”
“SDAR has previously attempted to block progress to improve Sandicor, and to investigate the benefits of a merger between Sandicor and CRMLS, despite our members’ requests,” says Raylene Brundage, 2016 president, NSDCAR. “For the future growth and stability of our industry in San Diego, it would be best to simply dissolve Sandicor and protect our members’ best interest through an enhanced partnership with CRMLS.”
Sandicor currently provides information to more than 19,000 local real estate professionals among the three associations.
