FLORIDA, U.S. (Sept. 24, 2025) – Universal Consulting Opportunities (UCO), a subsidiary of Stellar MLS, one of the largest and most influential MLSs in the U.S., and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) India have announced an agreement to bring a modern MLS to India. This collaboration is a defining step for India, one of the world’s largest and fastest‐growing real estate markets, offering greater professionalism, strengthened data integrity, and enhanced transparency for all stakeholders. UCO and NAR India are launching India’s first MLS pilot in Mumbai, marking the start of a nationwide transformation in a region comparable to the New York City metropolitan area. With a population of 1.46 billion, a $1 trillion real estate market expected by 2030, near-universal internet access, and the world’s most advanced digital payments and identity ecosystem, India is uniquely positioned to leapfrog into a modern, transparent, and technology-driven real estate future. This pilot is the first step toward building the most ambitious MLS infrastructure in the world. NAR India, the premier national association for real estate professionals, unites over 40 member associations and more than 50,000 practitioners nationwide. As the collective voice of India’s real estate community, NAR India has been instrumental in shaping policy, advancing education, and driving advocacy for professional excellence. Its leadership ensures that the adoption of an MLS is rooted in the realities of the Indian market, amplifying the benefits for its members and millions of consumers nationwide. By joining forces, UCO and NAR India will combine strengths—NAR India’s market leadership and influence with UCO’s decades of MLS expertise—to co-create a modern, scalable MLS in India. “We are honored and proud to support NAR India in developing a connected and transparent real estate ecosystem in India – a critical market that aligns with our vision of empowering organizations as we expand our reach across diverse geographies,” said Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of UCO and Stellar MLS. “This collaboration will streamline transactions and open new avenues of growth for agents, brokers, developers, and consumers while laying the foundation for a sustainable marketplace that shapes the future of real estate in India.” “Partnering exclusively with UCO marks a transformative milestone for NAR India and our members,” said Tarun Bhatia, Vice Chairman and Chair Global, NAR India. “For NAR India, this collaboration goes beyond data access and member growth—it represents an opportunity to adapt global best practices, strengthen professional trust, and empower our members to compete and thrive in a truly interconnected marketplace.” This partnership creates a true two-way bridge. Indians are the fourth-largest group of foreign buyers in U.S. real estate, making up 6 percent of international transactions with an average purchase price of $346,400, right in line with the U.S. median. At the same time, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are fueling strong demand for real estate in India. By aligning global standards and building cross-border trust, UCO and NAR India are opening doors for Indians buying in North America and NRIs investing back home in India. Together, NAR India’s national leadership and UCO’s global expertise ensure that this landmark initiative is not only a technological leap but also a collective effort to shape a transparent, trusted, and competitive real estate marketplace that reflects India’s strengths on the world stage.

As real estate business models continue to evolve, building your business by providing more robust customer value takes a collaborative and forward-thinking approach. As real estate professionals work to meet the needs of buyers and sellers embarking on the most important transaction of their life, Stellar MLS is doubling down in its commitment to arm its customers with an array of tools and insights. Leading the way in market innovation Consistently innovating to provide products that revolutionize real estate, Stellar MLS does not simply deliver information; it drills down to deliver insights, offering the most effective tools to help customers save time and increase efficiency. Products like TransactionDesk simplify day-to-day routines, reducing stress and freeing up valuable time for agents and brokers to focus on their customers and clients. Tools such as this are deeply embedded in our ecosystem to give brokers and agents a streamlined, secure and compliant way to manage every stage of every transaction. Helping brokers guide agents to success One of Stellar MLS’ Always Principles is that we succeed when brokers do. Rayse—one of our newest products—helps brokers empower their agents with features like Buyer Presentation, turning initial consultations into structured, high-impact experiences while outlining the agent’s role and value at each stage. At the same time, Client Portal tools provide comparisons and tour feedback, helping buyers stay informed without feeling overwhelmed. Agents can also leverage Realist—a public records database that provides property and ownership data, market information, street and aerial maps, and market trends. This layered, behind-the-scenes data allows agents to give their customers a full picture, whether they’re evaluating a listing price or researching market opportunities. Providing trend analysis and local insights The Stellar Market Meter, our quarterly statistics report, provides an in-depth analysis of critical trends and developments in our coverage area and beyond—and an invaluable aid to busy agents. Economist Dr. Elliot Eisenberg provides expert commentary and data-driven insights designed to assist in making informed decisions, anticipating future trends and understanding the market’s evolving landscape. Further, Stellar’s Matrix tool lets agents and brokers filter listings by specific criteria such as subdivisions, green fields and water views. This enhanced search experience empowers real estate professionals to build deeper connections with consumers, because it’s not just about finding a property, it’s about helping people discover the place they truly belong. A pathway to prosperity Stellar MLS is dedicated to being the Multiple Listing Service for real estate professionals who value clarity, stability and support. Our mantra, “We’re for You,” is at the core of our brand promise and our mission—the same promise of better, more local and more valuable insights that top agents deliver daily to their clients. That’s why we continue to invest in the resources that fuel your business by transforming complex market data into clear, usable insights. Join us in the mission to focus on what’s next and take your business to the next level by maximizing your value to your customers. Read more by Shayne at https://www.rismedia.com/bylines/shayne-fairley/ .

In today’s real estate landscape, opportunity knows no boundaries. Teams are expanding, business is becoming more mobile than ever, and clients expect seamless service—regardless of location. Stellar MLS recognizes the need to empower its brokers and their agents to adapt to the pace of today’s market and continues to provide the resources they need to stay ahead in a rapidly changing market. Real estate professionals rely on market intel to make informed decisions and confidently guide clients through one of life’s biggest milestones. Whether it’s leveraged to analyze trends, expand business referrals to new territories or guide relocating customers, the ability to view comprehensive listing data across the country is a significant strategic advantage. Stellar MLS is committed not only to delivering powerful listing insights, but also to offering expansive market coverage. In line with this mission, Stellar MLS recently formed strategic partnerships with California Regional MLS and Bright MLS. Through these new partnerships among the three largest MLSs in the country, Stellar MLS customers now have access to listings across California and the Mid-Atlantic, directly within Matrix. No extra logins needed. This integration means agents and brokers have access to thousands of additional listings, without leaving Matrix, opening the door to broader and more integrated business opportunities. This collaboration comes at a pivotal time. Cross-country relocation is on the rise, driven by changing lifestyle preferences and work environments, and increasing interconnectivity. Clients—buyers or sellers—are no longer tethered to a single market; they’re exploring possibilities from east to west. Agents equipped with real-time, accurate data across geographies can stand out by delivering unmatched service and guidance. Still, access alone is not enough; it must be paired with efficiency and accuracy. Stellar MLS remains committed to ensuring that its customers thrive in an intuitive environment. Bringing the reciprocal MLS access partnerships into the Stellar MLS system means agents and brokers can research, plan and serve clients without juggling multiple platforms or logging into separate systems. That’s time saved and real value gained. And this is just the beginning. As we look to the future, Stellar MLS will continue building relationships and investing in data connectivity to meet the demands of an interconnected market. Our goal remains clear: to provide our customers with the tools, insights and access they need to compete and thrive, no matter where their business takes them. In a business defined by relationships, readiness and reach, knowledge and confidence are power. We believe that when agents are connected to the right data and market access, they will have the confidence and clarity to succeed. Read More by Merri Jo at https://www.rismedia.com/bylines/merri-jo-cowen/ .

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (July 31, 2025) —After more than 15 years of visionary leadership, Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of Stellar MLS, announced she will step down from her role in Q1 2026. Her successor will be Stellar MLS’s current Chief Operations Officer, Shayne Fairley, who for nearly two decades has been an integral part of the leadership team at one of the nation’s largest and most influential multiple listing services. Widely recognized as a thought leader and trailblazer in the real estate industry, Cowen has led Stellar MLS since 2008, guiding it through a period of transformational growth and modernization. Under her leadership, the organization expanded its customer base to become the largest MLS in Florida and Puerto Rico. This growth strengthened shareholder relationships, launched international partnerships, and solidified Stellar MLS’s position as a national and global leader in data transparency and collaboration. Cowen played a pivotal role in the MLS’s rebranding in 2019 and helped elevate the visibility and value of the MLS during a time of industry change. “Serving as CEO of Stellar MLS has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Cowen. “I’m incredibly proud of what we have built—an MLS that delivers value, innovation, and integrity to real estate professionals and the consumers they serve. Now, I’m ready to step back, and Shayne is more than ready to step forward. I truly cannot imagine leaving what we’ve built in better hands. Shayne knows Stellar MLS inside and out, and I have complete trust in his leadership and absolute confidence that he’ll take this organization to the next level.” Fairley joined Stellar MLS in 2005 and has risen through the ranks across multiple departments, training customers and staff, guiding compliance, advancing data services, and advising on operations, to name a few. Since being named COO in 2017, he has led strategic operational growth, championed customer-focused initiatives, and worked with Cowen on the company’s efforts to elevate the MLS on a global scale. “I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Merri Jo for nearly 20 years and learned a tremendous amount by watching how she leads, both strategically and personally. She leads with vision and heart, and that blend of high-level leadership and genuine care is part of what makes Stellar successful and is something I intend to carry forward,” said Fairley. What’s Next: A Seamless Transition Stellar MLS’s leadership transition will take place over the coming months, with Cowen working closely with Fairley to ensure a smooth and seamless handoff. The official transition is expected to be completed by Q1 2026 and throughout this period, both leaders will continue to collaborate on strategic initiatives and ongoing projects. After the leadership transition, Cowen will serve in a strategic advisory role at Stellar MLS while also leading its subsidiary Universal Consulting Opportunities (UCO), which supports real estate professionals worldwide. Launched in 2024 with Cowen as CEO, UCO-Global provides expertise and customized solutions to advance MLS practices globally, with a focus on transparency, data integrity, and modernized market infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships with international organizations such as CEPI (the European Association of Real Estate Professions) and FIABCI (the International Real Estate Federation), and alongside dedicated global partners who share UCO-Global’s mission to empower real estate markets worldwide, UCO-Global has helped foster collaboration and trust across the real estate industry in Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia. “Our priorities remain the same—delivering exceptional value to our customers, championing innovation, and helping shape the future of the real estate industry both at home and around the world,” said Fairley. 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.

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