Two Florida REALTOR® associations announced a planned merger that would form the third-largest local REALTOR® association in the nation. The REALTORS® Association of the Palm Beaches and Greater Fort Lauderdale REALTORS® will become the ­REALTORS® of the Palm Beaches and Greater Fort Lauderdale, serving more than 30,000 real estate professionals.

The merged association’s multiple listing service, which will become one of the 10 largest MLSs in the United States, will carry more than 40,000 listings representing about $21 billion in inventory. Members may choose between FlexMLS and Matrix for their MLS system of choice.

For brokers and agents, the merger creates a new, much larger territory for expansion and growth without the need for joining multiple MLSs. The merged association and combined MLS expect to create economies of scale, opportunities to invest in user-friendly new technologies, and increased services to members.  In addition, the merger will produce an even more powerful impact at the local, state, and national level when advocating for homeownership and private property rights.

Dionna Hall, CEO of the Palm Beaches association, will be installed as CEO of the merged association and MLS. Fort Lauderdale association CEO Rick Barkett will move forward with his plans to retire. The merged association will maintain all six of the local service centers run by the two predecessor associations.

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