IntraMatrix powers reciprocal access for nation's three largest MLSs

The real estate industry’s largest multiple listing services are demonstrating the power of unified technology platforms, with Stellar MLS, California Regional MLS (CRMLS), and Bright MLS announcing a reciprocal access collaboration that spans 10 states and territories from coast to coast.

The announcement highlights how MLSs operating on the same core technology can efficiently share listing data across geographic boundaries. All three organizations utilize Cotality’s Matrix* platform, which includes IntraMatrix functionality that enables MLSs to provide agents with view-only access to each other’s listings without requiring separate memberships or additional fees.

“Cotality is thrilled to support collaboration between Stellar MLS, Bright MLS and CRMLS, and to help unlock more value for agents and brokers as they evolve to better serve today’s homebuyers and their changing needs,” said Kevin Greene, SVP and GM of Cotality. “We are proud that Matrix, used by all three MLSs, comes with IntraMatrix, which enables MLSs to access listing data instantly, easily and at no extra cost across geographical boundaries. This is one of the many examples of how the Matrix MLS system is highly scalable and configurable, designed to meet the needs of every and any MLS.”

Cotality (formerly CoreLogic) accelerates data, insights, and workflows across the property ecosystem to enable industry professionals to surpass their ambitions and impact society. With billions of data signals across the life cycle of a property, they unearth hidden risks and transformative opportunities for agents, lenders, insurers, governments, and innovators. Visit cotality.com to learn more.

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Scale and reach

The collaboration creates a powerful network covering Florida, Puerto Rico, California, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Combined, the three MLSs provide access to more than 230,000 listings and connect over 280,000 real estate professionals.

For MLS operators, this represents a compelling use case for platform standardization. Rather than developing complex integration systems or requiring brokers and agents to maintain multiple memberships, the shared Matrix infrastructure allows for seamless navigation and real-time data access across all three systems.

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Breaking down regional barriers

“This collaboration marks a defining moment in our shared commitment to delivering unmatched value to our mutual subscribers,” said Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of Stellar MLS. “By connecting the three largest MLSs in the nation, we are breaking down regional barriers while empowering agents and brokers with seamless data access, expanded referral opportunities, and a stronger foundation to serve agents and brokers.”

The technical implementation leverages the Matrix platform’s existing architecture, making the integration straightforward compared to connecting disparate systems. Users can access listings across all three regions through their existing login credentials, with the familiar Matrix interface providing consistency regardless of which MLS originally listed the property.

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Strategic platform advantages

For CRMLS CEO Art Carter, the technology foundation enables broader strategic partnerships. “The new agreement between CRMLS and Stellar MLS represents a major milestone,” Carter noted. “The move is granting agents and brokers access to accurate, vetted data beyond the borders of traditional coverage areas, fostering a better-connected network of real estate professionals from across the country.”

Brian Donnellan, President and CEO of Bright MLS, emphasized how the shared platform supports industry-wide efficiency goals. “This extended network—linking the nation’s three largest MLSs—reinforces our focus on creating a more open and efficient marketplace for real estate professionals. With this addition, subscribers gain access to a broader pool of listing data, new referral connections, and greater transparency across markets.”

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Implications for MLS operations

The announcement demonstrates how technology platform choices can either enable or constrain future collaboration opportunities. The first massive reciprocal access data share was created more than a decade ago in Northern California among a group of MLSs powered by Rappattoni. MLSs operating on compatible systems can more easily participate in reciprocal agreements, while those on proprietary or incompatible platforms face greater technical and financial barriers to similar partnerships.

The IntraMatrix functionality essentially treats reciprocal access as a configuration option rather than a major development project, allowing MLS operators to focus on business strategy rather than technical integration challenges. With this type of data share, there is no data replication or data mapping between MLSs.

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Market impact

From a consumer perspective, the collaboration addresses the growing mobility of homebuyers and sellers. Real estate professionals can now research comparable sales, identify opportunities, and provide market insights across regions without maintaining multiple system subscriptions. For relocating buyers, agents can provide advance market research; for sellers plannings moves, real estate professionals can help identify opportunities in destination markets. In both situations, collaboration provides referral opportunities for agents and brokers outside their market.

The success of this three-way collaboration may encourage similar partnerships among other Matrix-powered MLSs, potentially creating larger regional or national networks built on shared technology infrastructure. MLSs on Matrix or any system should contact their system provider to discuss options ahead of combining databases.

As the real estate industry continues to evolve toward greater connectivity and data sharing, the Stellar-CRMLS-Bright MLS partnership provides a practical model for how technology platforms can enable strategic collaboration without requiring extensive custom development or ongoing integration maintenance.

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