The Austin Board of Realtors (ABOR) is accusing CoreLogic, the vendor of its multiple listing service (MLS), of selling home sold data to Travis Central Appraisal District (TCAD), a county-level home appraisal organization.
“When we were made aware that our [MLS] vendor may have inappropriately sold MLS data, we demanded they stop immediately and take the steps necessary to destroy that data,” ABOR said in a statement. “They agreed.”
CoreLogic, a California-based financial services and analytics firm, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. TCAD also did not respond to comment in time for this article’s initial publication.
ABOR told Inman, in a statement, that the local association is exploring all steps to correct the situation and ensure that TCAD is prevented from misusing data from the MLS.
“Actions will be taken to ensure full accountability from all parties enabling the unauthorized exploitation of MLS data,” the association said in a statement. “While we can’t comment on the details of an open investigation, we are working directly with attorneys to ensure this matter is resolved.”
Anyone who believes that MLS data is being used as evidence during either the appraisal or appeal process in Travis County is being asked to contact ABOR at databreach@abor.com.
The state’s, “Residential Real Estate Listing Agreement Exclusive Right to Sell” authorizes the listing broker to report sale price information with the MLS if the listing is to be filed with the MLS, but it does not authorize that sale price information to be reported to any third party, according to the Texas Association of Realtors.
CoreLogic offers a variety of MLS and real estate data products, including the popular digital MLS platform Matrix. It says among its clientele are the largest MLSs in North America, serving more than a million members, which use CoreLogic to deliver technology services and property information.
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