An initiative to create a regional multiple listing service is expanding its scope, with the announcement today that the Brunswick County Association of Realtors will participate.
 
“After receiving additional information from the leadership of the N.C. Regional MLS, our board of directors felt this move would advance the interests of our members by increasing efficiency and eliminating the need for multiple memberships,” said Bruce Williams, 2015 president of the BCAR Board of Directors, in a news release. “We look forward to the benefits of this partnership.” 
 
When the NCRMLS was getting organized this past spring, BCAR initially declined to join, but board members never stopped discussing the matter, according to Cynthia Cumbie, interim CEO.
 
“There was not enough information available before,” in the early stages of the regional data bank formation, Cumbie said in an email Monday.
 
Those in charge of NCRMLS didn’t give up on including Brunswick County, however.
 
“NCRMLS managing partners reached out to BCAR and asked if they could update the board and if they would reconsider joining,” Cumbie said.  “Most of the questions and concerns were addressed and the board felt confident that joining NCRMLS was in the best interest of BCAR.”  
 
Board members also met with an “industry leader” in MLS trends and technology as part of their decision process, the release stated.

This newly formed regional MLS, according to the release, will combine listings in an area represented by more than 5,000 agents who are members of the Wilmington Regional Association (WRAR), Jacksonville Board, Topsail Island Association, Neuse River Region, Carteret County Association, Washington-Beaufort Association, Greenville-Pitt Association, Kinston Association, Wilson Board and the Brunswick County Association of Realtors.
 
“As a founding member of this corporation BCAR will select two members to serve as managers on the NCMLS board,” the release stated.  “Founding members are the shareholders of the regional MLS, not just receivers of services.”
 
“We’re absolutely thrilled,” Sherri Pickard, president of the WRAR, said Monday. “We feel like this will make BCAR and WRAR agents better able to serve their clients because they can do a much better job of getting information.

Pickard explained that potential real estate buyers may know they want to locate in coastal North Carolina but don’t know exactly where. Until the formation of the regional MLS service, Realtors couldn’t see listings in other MLS areas.
 
“This will eliminate that problem,” Pickard said, adding that even if an agent doesn’t know another area or isn’t licensed to sell in a particular part of the region, he or she can use the network to refer the potential buyer to a “professional, licensed” agent in the relevant area.
 
The NCRMLS now stretches from Greenville in the north to the South Carolina line, and inland as far as Scotland County, Sampson County and Wilson, Pickard said, noting that the combined listing service will give properties in the region more exposure nationwide and even worldwide, and will help agents in member organizations work more efficiently.
 
“The NCRMLS is leading and in support of a national trend to towards consolidation of MLS products and services in the real estate industry,” BCAR’s news release stated. “Consumers want one place for real estate information – without boundaries.”