When you decide to sell your home, one of your most important decisions is how and when to introduce it to potential buyers.
Traditionally, when a listing was entered into Bright MLS and authorized for internet distribution, information about the property was shared with consumer websites and participating brokerage websites. That information could include the address, bedrooms, bathrooms, list price, listing history, and more. Sellers had some choices about online display, but limited control over certain individual details.
As of October 2026, Bright MLS has expanded those choices. Sellers in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and other areas within Bright’s service region now have greater control over which details appear on websites receiving their listing information. These include consumer portals such as Zillow and Realtor.com, along with participating brokerage websites such as Corcoran McEnearney’s website.
When sellers authorize internet distribution of their listing, they can give their agent instructions about displaying:
- The property address
- The list price
- Price history
- Days on site
- Automated estimates of the property’s market value
- Unedited consumer comments or reviews
- Exclusion of individual listing photos
These options give sellers more flexibility, but there are several important points to understand.
Limiting public display does not erase the MLS record. Property information, including required pricing details and listing history, remains available within Bright MLS. Real estate professionals can continue to use that information to advise their clients and evaluate comparable properties. Automated valuations and consumer comments, however, are website features and are not necessarily part of the MLS record.
Display instructions can be revisited. Sellers should provide their agent with written instructions identifying which information they want displayed or withheld. If their preferences change during the listing, they should document those changes with their agent. Withholding information after publication should not be understood as a guarantee that previously displayed information will disappear from every online source.
Greater control comes with tradeoffs. Restricting certain details may support a seller’s privacy preferences, but it can also affect how buyers find and evaluate the home. For example, withholding the price may affect visibility in price-based searches, while limiting photos may make it harder for buyers to decide whether to schedule a showing.
Before choosing a marketing plan, ask your agent: Who will see my listing? Where will it appear? Which details will be displayed? What opportunities might I give up by limiting exposure? And when should we reassess the plan?
At Corcoran McEnearney, we believe those decisions should begin with a clear understanding of your goals. The value of having more options is the ability to build a thoughtful marketing strategy around your home and your circumstances.
About the Author
Andy Hill, EVP and Managing Broker DC + MD, is a trusted real estate leader with deep roots in the Washington, D.C. area. Beyond his brokerage role, Andy serves on several leadership committees and is an active member of multiple committees at the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS® (GCAAR), contributing to the growth and professionalism of the real estate industry.
