I just recently read an article, how popular it is for agents to cancel their listing, and then “refreshing” them by re-inputting the listing back to on the MLS so they appear to be a new listing (many with the same price).

It’s a practice that intends to deceive Boston condo for sale buyers.

Look at these stats:

In 2025, nearly 1.4 million homes were withdrawn from the MLS. Not sold, withdrawn. Pulled from the market, held off for days, weeks or months, then relisted as if new.

As one Boston condo for sale buyer stated; “This market is a racket. All the new listings are fake.”

MLS Property Information Network (MLSPIN) rules require brokers to act with transparency and speed. Key regulations mandate strict deadlines for filing listings, disclosure requirements regarding agent compensation, and restrictions on advertising and commission sharing.

Key rules and regulations include:

Listing Deadlines: Agents must file a listing in the system within 24 hours of receiving a signed listing agreement, excluding weekends and holidays. If a seller requests a delay, a seller-signed Non-MLS or Delayed Listing Form must be filed in the same timeframe.
Compensation Disclosures: Listing brokers must certify that they disclosed to the seller that MLSPIN does not mandate offering compensation to cooperating brokers. The seller is under no obligation to agree to such requests.
Listing Requirements: All listings must feature the property’s full gross listing price and bear a definite, final expiration date negotiated in writing with the seller.
Marketing & Media: Photos, virtual tours, and floor plans must be IDX compliant, meaning they cannot contain agent or office branding, logos, watermarks, or contact information.
Rental Restrictions: In compliance with Massachusetts broker fee legislation, fields requiring or advertising cooperating compensation and specific brokerage fees for residential rentals are removed from listing forms.