ChitownLiving | Chicago Real Estate + Life

Looks like MAP and MLSNI are one step closer to a consolidation.

The Board of Directors of the MAP Multiple Listing Service (MAP) on Thursday unanimously approved a consolidation with the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois, Inc. (MLSNI). MAP and MLSNI operate the two principal MLS systems serving REALTORS® in the greater Chicagoland area. The MLSNI Directors had approved the consolidation on Wednesday, by a vote of 14-4. “The Chicago Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.) is thrilled that the boards of both MLSNI and MAP have approved a transaction that will result in a consolidation of the two principal MLS systems serving REALTORS® in the greater Chicagoland area,” said Virginia “Ginger” Downs, C.A.R.’s CEO. “C.A.R. and the North Shore-Barrington Association of REALTORS® (N.S.B.A.R.) have been forceful advocates of the consolidation for the past 2+ years.” Alexander R. Chaparro, C.A.R.’s 2006/2007 President., has also hailed the consolidation, calling for “one MLS” in his installation address last month at the Chicago Hilton.

Read the full release.  Still remains to be seen which user interface will survive, whether a new combined interface will be developed, or whether this is a consolidation at the listing data layer only.  Regardless of the path taken, hopefully the consolidation will be accompanied by some great improvements in system functionality.