RESO was built for growth. That’s why, as U.S. Multiple Listing Service (MLS) certification reached near ubiquity, the RESO Board made global expansion a top priority in 2024.
In 2025, RESO’s international presence continues to expand through mission and invitation. A recent RESO article highlighted international support and outlined reasons to attend the third annual International MLS Forum in Toronto, September 25–26.
This progress is akin to the standardization of technologies like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, PDF and USB. Building global standards allows property data to cross borders, supporting diverse marketplace differences in commerce, regulations and languages. RESO standards are uniquely positioned to unify global property information.
While not fully aligned yet, 94 percent of roughly 500 U.S. MLSs have been certified by RESO. In addition, RESO recently achieved the milestone of 1 million MLS subscribers using RESO Web API data feeds – an accomplishment made possible by MLSs, volunteers and staff alike. That’s a platinum record milestone that we intend to celebrate with you.
These standards will continue to progress locally, while expansion of RESO’s products into new markets is boosting visibility and membership contributions domestically and abroad. One example is our new Working with Real Estate Data – Canada course, created in collaboration with the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). It is currently in beta and will go public before the Toronto event, where CREA CEO Janice Myers will be a featured speaker.
Intentionally International
RESO is now present in 34 of 195 countries, or 17 percent. That figure reflects both progress and opportunity. Worldwide, companies are adopting RESO standards to build technologies for brokerages, consumers, MLSs and governments.
RESO’s international efforts are already profitable. Although most RESO resources still focus on North America, international revenue outpaces investment ten to one. Members benefit through expanded global partnerships in consulting, education, data sharing and referrals.
To continue scaling across languages, currencies, measurement systems, features and legal requirements, subject matter experts from around the world are essential.
Enter the Global Subgroup
RESO’s new Global Subgroup was created to ensure international growth comes with real-world deliverables. The group identifies and addresses international gaps in the Data Dictionary. Here are some examples of what they and some other workgroups have been taking on:
- Currency Support: The creation of a CurrencyType field to address international currency needs using the ISO-4217 standard
- Energy Performance Certificates: Meeting European Union environmental listing requirements
- International Address Components: Expanding to support different national conventions, some of which have been discussed in the Building Subgroup and Universal Parcel Identifier Workgroup
- Geographic Tagging: Supporting tools like geographic polygons
- Localized Property Definitions: Identifying property terms with different meanings in different locales (e.g., Duplex in France vs. the U.S.)
- Architectural Styles: Expanding by country or region
- Water, Utilities & Infrastructure: Addressing diverse global systems, including water sources, water quality and types of sewer systems
- Ownership Structures: Reflecting local property rights
- Sustainability & Certifications: Enhancing green property data elements beyond what is currently available in the PropertyGreenVerification Resource
- Construction Materials: Filling in regional gaps
- Language & Translation: Supporting metadata that translates listings for multiple locales
These efforts are a clear sign that international alignment isn’t just ideal, it is essential. Global property standards are just getting started, and the foundation that RESO’s experience provides is strong.
We encourage you to join the Global Subgroup and to attend the International MLS Forum in Toronto in September. If you have subject matter expertise for a country or region, let us know so we can call on you to help RESO expand its benefits in the ways that will best fit our diverse marketplaces.
