Arizona to Gain Statewide MLS

Those in the market for a home in Arizona will soon have an enhanced version of the popular ""multiple listing service (MLS)"":http://www.mls.com/ to assist them when perusing real estate options. The ""Arizona Association of Realtors (AAR)"":http://www.aaronline.com/ recently moved to build out a statewide version of MLS via the acquisition of the state's most comprehensive existing MLS.

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""Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. (ARMLS)"":http://www.armls.com/Home.aspx voted 70 to 27 in favor of allowing the AAR to purchase the online entity for $4.75 million. The AAR also reports that former ARMLS CEO, Bob Bemis, will be tapped as head of the statewide MLS venture.

Commenting on the transaction, Bemis said the deal is, ""a big win for every realtor in Arizona and the start of something very much needed, here and elsewhere."" The state currently boasts 21 associations for realtors and has an estimated 14 separate MLS services throughout Arizona; the AAR began the acquisition process with ARMLS in March, when the group presented its business plan to the board.

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Those in favor of a statewide MLS platform feel it will allow better competition with online services like Zillow, and note that the new version of Arizona's MLS won't cost users any additional fees. Tom Farley, CEO of the AAR, said, ""I think the margin of passage surprised a number of people. My guess is that in the next couple of days my phone is going to be ringing.""

The updated MLS will operate on the FBS Flexmls system, already in use by many smaller MLS initiatives throughout Arizona. The statewide program will invite all Arizona MLS platforms to create a complimentary framework within Flexmls, and additionally, the AAR will work toward an integrated Arizona Realtor Business Interface (ARBI) program that gives members simplified access and data options for a variety of MLS functions.

The ARBI plans to be non-exclusive to the statewide MLS, meaning that a member of smaller MLS groups that have not joined the AAR MLS program will still have full benefits of their chosen system.

In closing, Farley said that the ARBI has much broader ambitions that extend beyond Arizona borders and explained that the entity's longer term goal is to license the ARBI platform to associations and groups in states around the country.