Hive MLS Sweeps Awards, Sets New Standard for Real Estate Service

WILMINGTON, NC – April 14, 2026 – In an unprecedented display of industry dominance, Hive MLS has achieved a clean sweep in the 2026 WAV Group Customer Experience Index (CXI) Survey, earning the title of “BEST MLS” in all seven categories measured. The recognition from WAV Group, a leading real estate consulting and research firm, solidifies the Southeast-based Multiple Listing Service’s reputation for delivering superior service, technology, and value to its rapidly growing membership.

The annual CXI survey is the largest study of its kind, polling tens of thousands of real estate agents and brokers nationwide to gauge their satisfaction with their MLS provider. For an organization to win across every single key performance indicator—Overall Satisfaction, Customer Service, Training, Technology, Data Quality, Responsiveness, and Business Generation—is a landmark achievement that sets a new benchmark for excellence in the industry.

This complete sweep validates Hive MLS’s broker-centric philosophy, which it credits as the foundation of its success. “We are grateful for this national recognition as it means a great deal to us, but the credit belongs to the brokers we serve and their agents,” said Daniel Jones, CEO of Hive MLS, in a statement. “They hold us accountable every single day. They tell us what is working, what is not, and where we need to be better. Our job is to listen and go to work.”

A New Benchmark for Excellence

The WAV Group CXI has become the definitive measure of MLS performance, providing a transparent framework for organizations to assess their effectiveness. The methodology involves agents and brokers rating their MLS on a 1-to-10 scale across the seven core metrics. National benchmarks are then established, and only those MLSs that meet or exceed the average score earn the “BEST MLS” designation in a given category. Achieving this honor in one or two areas is a significant accomplishment; sweeping all seven is virtually unheard of.

“Hive MLS continues to set the highest standards for customer experience across the MLS industry and raises the bar of excellence,” noted Marilyn Wilson, CEO and Founding Partner of WAV Group. “Sweeping BEST MLS recognition in every category reflects a deep commitment to listening to members and delivering consistent value across every aspect of their business.”

This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the competitive landscape of the Southeast real estate market. The region is home to several large and influential organizations, including the Southeast MLS Alliance—a collaboration of major players like Canopy MLS, Georgia MLS, and Realtracs—and First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS) in Georgia, one of the largest MLSs in North America. Hive MLS’s ability to not only compete but to dominate in customer satisfaction ratings demonstrates the power of its unique operational model in a crowded field.

The 'Broker-Centric' Model in Action

At the heart of Hive MLS’s success is its “broker-centric” approach, which functions as a wholesale cooperative. This structure allows member associations to retain their local branding, leadership, and autonomy while benefiting from the shared technology, robust data, and extensive training resources of a larger entity. The model was a core part of the organization’s rebranding from North Carolina Regional MLS (NCRMLS) in October 2024, which was chosen to symbolize the collaborative and productive nature of a beehive.

This philosophy translates into tangible benefits for its more than 19,450 members. Instead of relying on traditional, often cumbersome data-sharing agreements, Hive MLS developed the MLS Data Exchange (MDX). Created with partner SourceRE, MDX is a vendor-neutral, unified database that promotes true interoperability, giving brokers more flexibility and vendors cleaner access to data. This focus on technological innovation directly addresses the high marks received for Technology and Data Quality.

Furthermore, the organization has aggressively integrated cutting-edge tools to streamline agent workflows. A partnership with Ocusell provides an AI-powered add/edit tool that has been shown to reduce listing compliance violations by up to 75%, while an integration with RentSpree simplifies rental applications and tenant screening. These practical solutions, combined with a strong emphasis on education and training—another category in which it won top honors—empower agents to work more efficiently and effectively, directly impacting their ability to generate business.

Fueling Rapid Regional Expansion

The universal acclaim from its members is not just a vanity metric; it is the primary engine behind Hive MLS’s explosive growth. Between 2019 and 2025, the organization organically tripled its subscriber base from around 6,000 to over 19,000—a period when many other large MLSs reported stagnant growth. This expansion has been driven by a reputation for service that attracts new associations seeking a better-value proposition for their members.

The growth has been strategic and steady. After consolidating its presence in North Carolina, the organization expanded into Georgia in July 2024 by bringing several local associations into its fold. In October 2025, it welcomed the Mountain Lakes Board of REALTORS®, pushing its footprint into the Smoky Mountain communities of North Carolina and Georgia. Most recently, in January 2026, the West Metro Board of REALTORS® joined, officially extending Hive’s services into Alabama and western Georgia.

This trajectory confirms that superior customer experience is a powerful competitive advantage. By excelling in Customer Service, Responsiveness, and ultimately Business Generation, Hive MLS has created a compelling case for its cooperative model. As real estate professionals across the Southeast increasingly demand more reliable tools, accurate data, and responsive support from their service providers, Hive MLS's achievement provides a powerful case study in how a relentless focus on member experience can become a definitive engine for both industry recognition and sustained market growth.