MLS Coming Soon Alignment with NAR DMEL Policy

We’re excited to announce enhancements to the Coming Soon status, effective July 2025. These updates reflect your feedback and align with the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Delayed Marketing Exempt Listings (DMEL) policy, offering greater flexibility while ensuring transparency and compliance.

SDMLS has taken the initiative to implement these updates as part of our ongoing effort to improve listing flexibility, streamline your workflow, and maintain compliance with national standards without introducing additional statuses or creating unnecessary complexity.

As of April 2026, the “Coming Soon” listing status now has two(2) distinct meanings based on whether “Publish to Internet” is set to Yes or No. 

In SDMLS Paragon, when “Publish to Internet” = No, the listing is treated in accordance with the NAR Delayed Marketing Exempt Listings (DMEL) policy, allowing participants greater control over listing visibility on public facing portals while remaining compliant with industry guidelines.

We encourage you to share feedback and report any issues to dataservices@sdmls.com

These changes reflect NARs DMEL policy and are tailored to support San Diego MLS subscribers:

	Optional Status - Use Coming Soon when it aligns with your strategy. Listing Agreement Required – Plus the SDMLS Coming Soon Seller Certification (Appendix F), keep in your file.  DOM & Price History Reset on Active – Days on Market resets and price history clears. May Go Directly to Pending – You can accept offers during Coming Soon.
	Public Marketing Now Allowed – Once in Coming Soon, you can advertise via signs, social media, etc. Private Showings Permitted – Individual appointments are allowed; Showing Services are enabled. Open Houses & Broker Tours Disabled – Remain inactive until the listing is Active. IDX & Portal Syndication Disabled – Not sent to public-facing platforms.
	Visible to All Subscribers – Listings are fully visible in the MLS to all SDMLS users. One-Time Use Only – Listings cannot revert to Coming Soon once moved to Active.  Photos Optional – A minimum of one exterior photo must be uploaded within 72 hours of entry. Broker Back Office Feed Permitted – Only for brokers’ own listings; no public display.

Click Here to see Listing Status Comparison Chart: Office Exclusive vs SDMLS Coming Soon

Why It Matters

These changes align with NAR’s DMEL framework and make the Coming Soon process simpler, clearer, and more flexible without requiring a new listing category. The goal is to support your business needs while maintaining compliance and transparency across the MLS. 

For a full breakdown of the Coming Soon policy and compliance requirements, review: SDMLS Appendix F SDMLS Rules and Regulations

Your Team,

San Diego MLS

(858) 726-9657