Which entity would be classified as a common source information company?

A multiple listing service (MLS) is classified as a common source information company because it functions as a database that aggregates listings from multiple real estate brokers. MLSs are designed to facilitate cooperation among brokers and provide a comprehensive platform where properties are listed with detailed information, making them accessible to licensed agents and prospective buyers or renters. This centralization of property data enhances market transparency and efficiency.

In contrast, a brokerage with multiple locations primarily operates within its own business framework and does not serve as a centralized information hub for the industry at large. A newspaper with real estate ads is a publication that may contain listings, but it does not provide the comprehensive data and interactivity that an MLS offers. Lastly, a company earning over 60% from real estate may operate in the real estate sector, but its business model does not inherently classify it as a common source information provider unless it specifically aggregates and distributes property data. Thus, the multiple listing service stands out as the most accurate representation of a common source information company in the context of real estate.