MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE PUBLIC WEB SITES JOIN FORCES ONLINE TO PROMOTE THE VALUE OF THE REALTOR® TO CONSUMERS

HOUSTON — (May 19, 2009) — Real estate associations and Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) around the country that operate public MLS Web sites have formed www.MLSCloud.com, a network aimed at promoting collaboration between these organizations while enhancing the services they provide the real estate consumer. More than 400,000 real estate agents and brokers are members or subscribers of 32 participating MLSs and associations in MLSCloud, the mission of which includes the following objectives:

• Contribute to the profitability of real estate brokers and agents by helping them understand and deliver on the changing expectations of consumers;

• Study and report on the attitudes, expectations and behavior of home buyers and sellers.

• Use the Web sites to inform consumers about the value of REALTOR® services;

• Implement technology tools that facilitate the delivery of real estate information by brokers and agents to consumers;

• Support the generation of contacts, leads and Web site referrals to brokers at no additional cost;

• Identify economies of scale that will lower operating expenses and enhance the effectiveness of these Web sites;

• Support the effective dissemination of local/regional real estate market information by REALTOR® Associations and MLSs to consumers;

• Promote the most reliable and up-to-date information.

Some comments about MLSCloud from leaders of participating associations and MLSs:

Vicki Fullerton, Chair of the Board, Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR)
Our REALTOR® members and their clients have long benefited from the vast resources of the Houston MLS. With MLSCloud serving as a clearinghouse for information from associations and MLSs around the country, brokers and agents have the opportunity to grow their business in ways never before imagined.

Bob Hale, President and CEO, Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR)
Today’s consumer demands more information and greater transparency on the Web, and MLSCloud creates a winning environment for the consumer and real estate professional alike. MLSCloud provides free tools to educate consumers about specific real estate markets and the value of REALTOR® services while generating critical contacts and leads for brokers.

David Charron, President and CEO of Metropolitan Regional Information Systems (MRIS)
The chance to easily and inexpensively build on the success of other thriving public MLS sites is a great opportunity for all of us! As one of the largest MLSs in the country, our transactions will only grow by getting involved with MLSCloud. The ability for consumers in the Mid-Atlantic to search the complete inventory of homes in participating markets PLUS get exposure in these same markets is a huge benefit for our subscribers and their customers.

Russ Bergeron, CEO, SoCal MLS
In today's market it is crucial that as an MLS we work with our customers (real estate practitioners) to ensure that they receive maximum exposure for their listings. With so many consumer oriented websites to choose from, creating a site that is timely, accurate, easy to use and rich in content is critical in driving traffic to our site and from there on to brokers and agents. Public MLS Web sites should be the norm for real estate associations and MLSs across the country.

Jim Harrison, President and CEO, MLSListings.com
The Web is a measurable medium, and the numbers speak for themselves. Consumers particularly value MLS-operated Web sites as credible sources of information that help them to prepare to work with a REALTOR®. MLScloud will facilitate that process and give my team at MLSlistings.com access to resources that will help us better serve our brokers and agents.

MLSCloud’s initial implementation is an Internet presence at MLScloud.com that identifies participating MLSs on a map of the United States with links to their respective Web sites. MLSCloud.com will also identify and disseminate information on local/regional real estate market conditions compiled and prepared by associations and MLSs.