News

Community Comes Together: Stellar MLS and Ashlee’s Toy Closet Bring Smiles to Hurricane Victims

November 15, 2024

This past weekend, Stellar MLS proudly joined forces with Ashlee’s Toy Closet to support young victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida. As part of our ongoing commitment to the community, Stellar MLS staff volunteered alongside Ashlee’s team to distribute new toys to children who have lost so much. Events took place on Friday, November 8th, in Sarasota, and Sunday, November 10th, in Clearwater and Anna Maria Island, bringing smiles and moments of joy to families in need.

Our team of volunteers—six Stellar MLS staff members on Friday and five on Sunday—showed up eager to contribute to this meaningful cause. Seeing the smiles on children’s faces as they picked out new toys was truly heartwarming. In a time when so much had been taken from them, these small moments of happiness reminded us of all the importance of community support.

Reflecting on the event, Abigail Libuano, Business Development Coordinator at Stellar MLS, shared, “The event was incredibly fulfilling, and it was truly rewarding to witness the excitement of the kids and hear the gratitude from the parents. Ashlee and her team do such an amazing thing for the community.” Her words capture the spirit of the weekend and the impact that a simple gesture can have on families facing hardship.

Ashlee’s Toy Closet shared a similar sentiment saying, “Our truck is empty, our hearts are full—it’s time to head home!” Sunday marked another long yet rewarding day, with two separate toy giveaways in Clearwater and Anna Maria Island. At the first event in Clearwater, Stellar MLS joined Ashlee’s Toy Closet and the Pinellas Realtor Organization to welcome families, listen to their stories, and hand out countless smiles along with toys. Later, the team traveled to Anna Maria Island, where they encountered more families impacted by the hurricanes and stocked both the local daycare center and Anna Maria Elementary School with leftover toys. Any remaining items were then donated to the Bradenton Dream Center, ensuring that every toy found a home with a child in need.

A huge thank you to OneRelo Worldwide and their team, who packed and shipped all the toys, making these cross-county toy giveaways possible. As Ashlee noted, “The smiles we delivered & hearts we touched this weekend are something we will never forget!”

A Weekend of Community and Caring

For Stellar MLS, this weekend wasn’t just about giving toys; it was about providing comfort and support to children and families rebuilding their lives. The smiles we saw and the stories we heard reminded us that even a small act of kindness can have a big impact.

About Ashlee’s Toy Closet: A Legacy of Giving

Ashlee’s Toy Closet was founded by Ashlee Smith, who experienced firsthand the devastating effects of fire when her family lost their home. Inspired by her own experience, Ashlee began collecting toys for other children facing similar hardships. Today, Ashlee’s Toy Closet has grown into a national nonprofit, delivering hope and comfort to children affected by natural disasters across the country.

Stellar MLS: Always for Our Community

At Stellar MLS, we’re committed to serving more than just the real estate industry—we’re here for the communities we live and work in. Through partnerships like this one with Ashlee’s Toy Closet, we’re able to extend our support beyond the business realm, helping to build resilience and joy in our neighborhoods.

We’re for you—whether you’re a real estate professional, a family looking for a home, or a child in need of a little comfort. Thank you to everyone who made this weekend’s events possible, and to those who continue to support Ashlee’s Toy Closet. Together, we can create brighter futures for the children and families in our communities.

Join Us in Supporting Ashlee’s Toy Closet

Ashlee’s Toy Closet depends on donations to continue its impactful work. We encourage you to join us in supporting this mission, helping to bring joy and comfort to children when they need it most.

Watch and learn more here.

Donate Today

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BeachesMLS and Stellar MLS Announce Major Data Share Expansion, Connecting Agents and Listings Across Florida

By Mackenzie Riley • October 15, 2025

BeachesMLS and Stellar MLS are proud to announce a major reciprocal MLS access collaboration that will significantly expand access and connectivity for real estate professionals across Florida and Puerto Rico. This partnership creates one of the largest cooperative MLS data networks in the nation, providing Realtors® with unparalleled access to listings statewide. Through this collaboration, BeachesMLS Matrix users will gain direct access to Stellar MLS listings across Central, Northern, and Southwest Florida, as well as Puerto Rico. Likewise, Stellar MLS customers will now be able to view and search listings in South Florida, the state’s most active and diverse real estate market, along with the rapidly growing Treasure Coast. Together, the two organizations are bridging regional boundaries to create a more unified Florida marketplace that benefits both real estate professionals and consumers. This initiative extends access to more than 187,000 combined active listings across both systems, connecting BeachesMLS’s 43,000 subscribers and Stellar MLS’s more than 80,000 subscribers to new business and referral opportunities. BeachesMLS users will now have access to more than 117,000 listings from Stellar MLS. In comparison, Stellar MLS subscribers will gain visibility into approximately 70,600 listings from BeachesMLS, creating exponential value through shared exposure and market insight. “At BeachesMLS, our focus has always been to empower brokers and agents through data, technology, and partnerships,” said Dionna Hall, CEO of BeachesMLS. “Our collaboration with Stellar MLS reflects that vision perfectly. Together, we are delivering broader market access, enhanced visibility for listings, and a more seamless experience for Realtors® and their customers across the state.” “Florida’s real estate market is diverse and deeply connected, and our new reciprocal access collaboration with BeachesMLS truly embodies that spirit,” said Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of Stellar MLS. “Together, we're opening the door to more listings, richer market insights, and greater opportunities for our shared customers across the state, empowering them to grow their business, strengthen relationships, and deliver exceptional value to buyers and sellers throughout Florida.” For agents, this enhanced access means greater listing visibility, more accurate market insights, and expanded opportunities for referrals and collaboration across regions. For consumers, it means a more seamless experience, whether they are relocating, investing, or purchasing a second home anywhere in Florida or Puerto Rico. As Florida’s economy continues to grow and evolve, BeachesMLS and Stellar MLS reaffirm their shared mission: to empower real estate professionals through innovation, cooperation, and connectivity. This partnership unites professionals, strengthens data integrity, and delivers unmatched value to the real estate industry.

Logos of Universal Consulting Opportunities and CILA over a map of the Americas.

Universal Consulting Opportunities and CILA Unite to Elevate the Real Estate Industry and Transparency Across Latin America

By Warner Ransone • October 9, 2025

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (Oct. 9, 2025) – Universal Consulting Opportunities (UCO), a subsidiary of Stellar MLS, one of the largest and most influential MLSs in the U.S., has entered into a strategic alliance with the Confederación Inmobiliaria Latinoamericana (CILA), a private international organization representing 700,000 real estate professionals in Latin America, to deliver Multiple Listing Service (MLS) expertise and education across the region. With this agreement, CILA and UCO will work to elevate real estate practices across Latin America, where the residential market is expected to expand from $478 billion to more than $712 billion by 2029, according to Modor Intelligence. CILA unites brokers and property managers from 18 countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. CILA members serve more than 527 million people, representing 80 percent of Latin America’s population. This collaboration empowers both organizations to further advance their respective missions while maximizing their impact on critical issues of transparency, professionalism, and trust across the industry. “We are delighted to be working with our esteemed colleagues at CILA and share best practices to guide the advancement of real estate across Latin America,” said Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of UCO and Stellar MLS. “This is a critical market and aligns with our vision of supporting organizations with multiple member countries—as we do with CEPI in Europe and FIABCI worldwide—and deepening our engagement across diverse geographies.” “One of the greatest challenges we face throughout Latin America is transforming long-held cultural beliefs and building customer confidence in the value of best practices, as shown in the practice of using MLSs,” said CILA President Enrique José Morales Choto. “This is precisely why UCO was a natural fit—their extensive global expertise and proven ability to guide organizations on this path make them an invaluable resource in moving CILA toward lasting success.” This agreement comes on the heels of CILA’s 10th Latin American Real Estate Congress in August, where UCO’s leadership joined some 600 professionals and global experts in the Dominican Republic to focus on innovation, market trends, and digital transformation. This landmark step with CILA marks another large milestone in UCO’s international initiatives, reinforcing its role as a strategic leader in the global real estate industry. By modernizing the Latin American markets through this collaboration, UCO and CILA are guiding organizations, empowering professionals, elevating industry standards, and delivering enhanced value to consumers. Currently, UCO is advising real estate organizations to adapt MLS solutions to the unique needs of markets across several regions, including South Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and now, Latin America. These efforts are designed to elevate professionalism, increase market transparency, and build efficient MLS ecosystems that benefit agents, brokers, and consumers worldwide. Learn more at stellarmls.com/Global .

Stellar MLS Announces Reciprocal MLS Access Collaboration   with State-Wide MLS

By Mackenzie Riley • October 7, 2025

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (Oct. 7, 2025) — Stellar MLS, the largest multiple listing service in Florida and Puerto Rico and one of the most influential in the U.S., has announced a reciprocal MLS access agreement with State-Wide Multiple Listing Service. State-Wide MLS is a subsidiary of the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS, a non-profit real estate trade organization serving approximately 6,000 members in nearly 1,000 offices across Rhode Island and neighboring states. State-Wide MLS customers can seamlessly search and view listings in both systems, without the need for additional memberships. The collaboration goes beyond data access, offering a powerful avenue for customers to expand their referral networks and explore new market opportunities. Effective Tuesday, Oct. 7, Stellar MLS and State-Wide MLS customers will have reciprocal access to each other’s listings. With broader visibility across state lines, customers gain a competitive edge, stronger referral opportunities, and the ability to grow their business in both local and out-of-market areas. “Our reciprocal MLS access agreement with State-Wide MLS is a win for real estate professionals, the consumers they serve, and ultimately, the industry as a whole,” said Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of Stellar MLS. “It enhances mobility between the two regions, whether customers have clients relocating, purchasing a second home, or investing out of state. Together, we are advancing data accuracy, transparency, and access--three pillars that define us at Stellar MLS.” Since both organizations utilize Matrix, real estate professionals will experience a seamless, familiar, and intuitive platform for viewing and sharing real-time data. This will simplify the process of assisting clients who are relocating, investing, or exploring new opportunities. Stellar MLS’s Reciprocal MLS Access at a glance: • A referral network of more than 401,000 real estate professionals; • Access to more than 326,000 listings; • Domestic coverage of 11 states and territories; and • International coverage of 17 countries. “We are thrilled with this partnership opportunity,” said Philip Tedesco, CEO of State-Wide MLS. “Rhode Island has many residents spending a lot of time in Florida, so reciprocal MLS access with Stellar MLS makes a lot of sense for us. Our collective customer-base will benefit greatly from the visibility in each other’s marketplace.” # # # About Stellar MLS Stellar MLS is the multiple listing service for real estate professionals who value clarity, stability, and support in a real estate market and industry defined by change. As the largest multiple listing service in the state of Florida and among the largest and most influential in the U.S., Stellar MLS serves over 84,000 customers and supports real estate agents and brokers across 21 REALTOR® associations in Central and Southwest Florida and Puerto Rico. Its extensive footprint allows Stellar MLS to deliver a broader suite of cutting-edge products and services, and more opportunities for customers to do business than almost any other MLS. Stellar MLS creates conditions within which real estate professionals can succeed, the housing market can thrive, and people who seek homeownership have every opportunity to achieve it.

Universal Consulting Opportunities Champions Global Collaboration at the International MLS Forum in Toronto

By Warner Ransone • October 2, 2025

FLORIDA, U.S. (Oct. 2, 2025) – Universal Consulting Opportunities (UCO), a subsidiary of Stellar MLS, one of the largest and most influential MLSs in the U.S., took the stage as Title Partner for the third annual International MLS Forum. Hosted by the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) and the European Association of Real Estate Professions (CEPI) , the two-day forum (Sept. 25–26) in Toronto gathered industry experts worldwide to explore MLS culture, global business models, emerging technologies, government regulation, and broker-driven innovation. A highlight of the event was UCO’s signing of a landmark agreement with Advanced Real Estate Services (United Arab Emirates), Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (Canada), Syndicat National Des Professionels Immobiliers (France), and San Diego MLS (U.S.). The five-way collaboration launched as Global Data Exchange (GDX), will enable secure cross-border data sharing through UCO’s parent company, Stellar MLS, and set a precedent for global marketplace connectivity. The first of its kind , GDX demonstrates how MLS standards can transcend borders, giving real estate professionals access to richer, more reliable listing data and helping consumers benefit from greater transparency and efficiency with international transactions. “GDX reflects how far we’ve come—turning vision into reality and paving the way for professionals to securely access global listing data with confidence and integrity,” said Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of UCO and Stellar MLS. “By leveraging RESO standards, we set the stage for a truly connected global marketplace.” As was the case in previous years, UCO leadership played a central role throughout the forum, moderating multiple panels, shaping critical conversations and sharing key learnings. From innovation and emerging market opportunities to lessons from years of building and scaling MLS solutions, UCO’s proven expertise positioned its leaders at the forefront of the conversations shaping tomorrow’s real estate marketplace. COO Shayne Fairley emphasized the importance of UCO’s active presence: “Being at the center of these conversations is crucial—not only for UCO, but for the industry as a whole. At the International MLS Forum, collaboration becomes action. It’s where the right people and the right ideas converge to shape tomorrow’s real estate marketplace.” Looking ahead, the forum confirmed its future direction with Martin Mucha, CEO of Igluu, named Host Partner for the 2027 event in Prague following the 2026 forum in Abu Dhabi. The announcement underscores the forum’s growing role as the premier stage for advancing MLS collaboration worldwide. Beyond the event, UCO continues to expand its support and impact by advising organizations across Europe, South Asia, and Latin America on implementing MLS solutions tailored to local markets—driving transparency, professionalism, and sustainable growth across global real estate.

Business people shaking hands, overlaid on a cityscape. Teamwork, collaboration at Stellar MLS.

Stellar MLS Earns Central Florida Top Workplaces Honor for Fourth Consecutive Year

By Mackenzie Riley • September 30, 2025

Stellar MLS continues its momentum with a historic Q3.

Merri Jo Cowen, Stellar MLS CEO, inducted into the Council of Multiple Listing Service Hall of Fame.

Council of Multiple Listing Services Inducts Merri Jo Cowen into CMLS Hall of Fame

By Mackenzie Riley • September 25, 2025

Celebrate the induction of Merri Jo Cowen, Stellar MLS CEO, into the CMLS Hall of Fame, honoring 40 years of leadership and innovation in the MLS industry.