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Controversial REcolorado acquisition closes despite realtors pushback

MAZL, LLC is now the owner of the platform where most homes for sale in the state are listed.

It’s official. REColorado, the platform where most of the state’s homes are listed for sale, has a new owner.

Colorado’s largest multiple listing service (MLS) was acquired by MAZL, LLC., a private company created by Englewood-based equity title firm executive Joseph E. Burks to buy REColorado.

The sales price was not immediately disclosed.

“We are confident that MAZL, LLC’s extensive expertise and forward-thinking approach will bring significant value to the MLS platform,” said Brendan Bailey, CEO of the Denver Metro Association of Realtors, in a press release Friday.

In July, former owners Denver Metro Association of Realtors (DMAR) and the South Metro Denver Realtor Association (SMDRA) — membership-based organizations representing local real estate agents — fired the entire board of REcolorado for leaking the deal with a local investor named “J.Burks.”

The fired board was working to buy REcolorado from its former owners aiming to “decouple” the MLS after a federal court made a landmark ruling about seller commission fees causing uncertainty across the real estate industry nationwide. Board members spoke out calling the deal “questionable” and “may bring added uncertainty.”

The associations faced pushback from its members who were worried their main tool for selling and buying homes was being sold with little transparency and it was unclear what motives could drive an investor to buy such a vast amount of real estate data, or what they’d want to do with it.

Ohio-based real estate technology company MRI Software later put in an unsolicited offer to buy the company. MRI Software is the owner of Denver-founded eGent, a contract software on the MLS.

MAZL also shares an address with REshare, another contract software startup recommended by SMDRA.

In the release, Burks said he aims to keep REcolorado’s reputation as the foundation of the state’s residential real estate community.

Joseph Burks, the new owner of REcolorado. (Courtesy photo, REcolorado)
Joseph Burks, the new owner of REcolorado. (Courtesy photo, REcolorado)

“Our goal is to collaborate closely with its exceptional team to strengthen the company even further, ensuring it continues to deliver MLS services that bring unparalleled value to its subscribers and their clients, adapting and innovating to meet the evolving needs of today’s real estate professionals,” Burks said.

He said the platform will commit to staying affordable for its 26,000 subscribers, protecting listing data and keep the platform competitive with its services.

“With new ownership and management at the helm, we are confident that our members will continue to receive industry-leading technology and support, positioning them for success in an ever-evolving real estate landscape,” said Melissa Maldonado, CEO of SMDRA, in a news release.



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