What is a No Showings Allowed Period?

• Coming Soon
  • Showings are not permitted while the listing is in Coming Soon status.
  • At the direction of the seller, Coming Soon may be changed to Active before the Active on MLS Date by hitting the End Coming Soon under Status in Edit Listing.
  • Curb offers may be accepted in a Coming Soon Status.
    • IMPORTANT: Even if a curb offer is accepted, the listing must be changed from Coming Soon to Active status prior to showing.
• Temp Off Market
  • Showings are not permitted while the listing is in Temp Off Market (Withdrawn) status.
  • The listing status must be changed to Active before showings may occur.
    • IMPORTANT: Even if a potential buyer has previously seen the property and would like to see it again, it must be changed to Active status before any showing occurs.

Are there any exceptions?

• No.
  • Showings are prohibited during this period.
  • The listing status must be changed to Active prior to ANY kind of “showing”.
    • IMPORTANT: This includes open houses, home tours, area associations, “private events”, neighbors, etc.

Is there a penalty if a showing occurs?

• Yes.
  • Violations of the No Showings Allowed Period will incur a $1,000 monetary penalty.
    • IMPORTANT: The fine is assessed to BOTH the Listing and Buyer’s agents for any showing.

MLS Policy Referenced:

1.05.04 – Showing a Listing During a No Showings Allowed Period MLS Tip: Showings of Any Kind Prohibited During a No Showings Allowed Period

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08/12/2026

The new “Showing Service Name” field now allows the listing agent to select which showing service will be used with each new listing they enter into the MLS. 

Notable changes for showing service selection:

1. New mandatory field Showing Service Name appears on the Add/Edit screen in the Showing Conditions section:
2. The field has these selections:
   1. BrokerBay
   2. ShowingTime
   3. Other
   4. None

3. The BrokerBay button will appear on the Detail tab for listings that have selected BrokerBay in the Showing Service Name field.

4. The Showing Phone # field is still available for entering the telephone number of any showing service the agent chooses.
5. The Showing Service selected will appear on the Reports and web display in the Showing Consideration field.

Schedule Supra One Training, Checklist, and FAQ:

https://columbusrealtors.com/supra-one-brokerbay

*Even if you do not plan on switching to Supra One/Broker Bay, we recommend attending a training session and claiming your log-in

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07/28/2026

*Even if you do not plan on switching to Supra One/Broker Bay, we recommend attending a training session and claiming your log-in

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07/22/2026

Realist has reported that service was restored for Realist around 7pm 4/1/2026

“Realist service has been restored and is currently fully available. Our technical teams are monitoring the systems closely to ensure continued stability.

To prevent future connection issues, we will be applying additional fixes during an overnight maintenance window tonight.”

Realist is currently experiencing an interruption impacting our MLS Load Tax Record and Realist Tax search. At this time Tax Information will need to be added to listings manually. Please see message from Realist below.

“We’re aware that some of you are having trouble accessing Realist. Our engineering team is already on the case and working hard to get things back to normal.

We apologize for the interruption to your workday.  We will provide hourly updates until the issue is resolved.”

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04/01/2026

There will be scheduled maintenance that will impact your access to the Member Portal and FlexMLS beginning at 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, and continuing until 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 29

During this scheduled maintenance, all tools and services involving the member portal will be unavailable.

If the scheduled maintenance lasts longer than expected, we will provide updates on social media and through email.

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03/19/2026

For the first time, Columbus REALTORS® members will receive access to a showing service as a member benefit.

Supra One (formerly BrokerBay) is Supra’s showing management and scheduling service. This member benefit will be introduced later this Spring. Supra will be holding two Agent Trainings via Zoom. These sessions will focus on account setup and configuring showing instructions. More agent trainings will be scheduled prior to launch.

There are video training calls for agents on Monday, March 9 at 11 a.m., and another on Friday, March 6 at 11 a.m.

Register for Supra One Agent Training: Monday or Friday

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03/05/2026

It’s time to update the tax information on your listings for the 2025 tax year. For listings that are not in a CANCELLED or CLOSED status, these fields can be edited along with other listing fields by editing the listing values through LISTING INFORMATION. This action can be taken by the broker/office admin or by the listing/co-listing agent.

This routine remains an important manual operation for REALTORS® to complete at the beginning of each year.  While Realist can auto-populate the Yearly Taxes and Tax Year for you when you first enter the listing, it cannot automatically update them when those figures change.

Many county auditors have updated their tax records already or will finish their process in the next few weeks, for each parcel in their taxing districts for the most recent tax year. Voter approved school and bond levies impact those figures each year along with auditor reassessments or owner appeals of property valuation.

Most real estate taxes change annually. It is important that REALTORS®, clients, and even sellers be kept apprised of these ever-changing figures.

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02/25/2026

Time is running out to be considered for the MLS Committee for 2025. Applications are due October 31st at 5pm.

Members of the MLS Committee are appointed by the President. Appointed applicants will begin their term January 1, 2026.   

Appointments will be ratified by the MLS Board of Directors, and consideration in making appointments will include but are not limited to:

• Brokerage size
• Active, recent use of the MLS
• Regional representation (rural)
• Years in industry
• Field of expertise (broker, agent, appraiser, residential, commercial)
• Knowledge of MLS system/rules/regulations/policies, RESO standards
• Proper balance of broker and agent representation. No less than 50% agent representation (8 committee members)
• Members are appointed to 3-year terms. All members appointed will have voting rights. No less than 9 and no more than 15 members will serve on the MLS Committee 

Please submit your application by October 31 at 5 p.m.  

MLS RULES & REGULATIONS
VII. THE COMMITTEE The purpose of the MLS Committee is to manage and oversee the operations of the Multiple Listing Service. This includes ensuring that the MLS rule and regulations are followed and maintained in an orderly and efficient system for listing and disseminating property information. (Amended 6/12 and 6/24)

Apply for the 2026 MLS Committee

If you have any questions, please reach out to Kathy Elliott at kelliott@columbusrealtors.com.

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10/15/2025

An updated FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) has been added to the bottom of this article

‼️ Attention Columbus & Central Ohio Regional MLS Subscribers ‼️

This Spring, NAR announced expanded multiple listing options for sellers. For some MLSs across the country, this was new; for us, these options have always been available.

📺 Watch the instructional video with 2025 Columbus REALTORS® President, Buffie Patterson. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of the multiple listing options that are available in the MLS. 👇

✅ Active Listings: This option remains the most visible because it allows public marketing, showings, signage, and syndication – the whole package.

✅ Coming Soon: This option gives sellers time to prep while generating buzz.

✅ Brokerage Exclusive: Allows for listings within your brokerage. Communication outside the brokerage must be one-to-one to avoid triggering the Clear Cooperation requirement. A brokerage exclusive form must be filed with the MLS at mlspolicy@columbusrealtors.com. By December, you will be able to submit the form directly through Flex; however, this feature is currently under development.

✅ Exclude from Internet: This option has been available in our MLS for many years. Choosing this option means the listing is visible to MLS subscribers but is not syndicated to public websites.

✅ VOW (Virtual Office Website): This option requires the consumer to register on the brokerage website to view the listing.

⭐ Other important reminders

• A signed listing agreement or disclosure is required for every option, regardless of whether you use our form.
• MLS rules are local and unique to each MLS. That requires each MLS to enforce its policies.
• It’s the responsibility of the agent to explain these options clearly to their clients.
• This information has been vetted and approved by our MLS Board of Directors

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is the difference between “Exclude from Internet” and “Delayed Marketing?”

A: We have offered “Exclude from Internet” for years, and NAR refers to this option as Delayed Marketing. The only difference is the addition of a disclosure if Exclude from Internet is selected. The disclosure is integrated into the most recent MLS listing contract.

Q: What if I /we don’t use the Columbus & Central Ohio Regional MLS Listing Contract?

A: A disclosure is still required. A listing agreement may be required to be submitted to the MLS.

Q: What is the difference between “Exclude from Internet” and “Brokerage Exclusive?”

A: “Exclude from the Internet” is listed in the MLS, and all subscribers/brokerages can see the listing. A Brokerage Exclusive is communicated only within the listing brokerage. A Brokerage Exclusive cannot be publicly marketed, but one-to-one communication is allowed.

Q: Do “Days on Market” accumulate during “Exclude from Internet?”

A: Yes, because even though “Exclude from Internet” was selected, the listing is still technically active, but it is not being syndicated. Days on market do accumulate.

Q: What does it mean that “Brokerage Exclusives must be filed with the MLS?”

A: All Brokerage Exclusive listings must be submitted to MLS via email to mlspolicy@columbusrealtors.com. Soon, agents will be able to file directly through FlexMLS.

Q: Does this mean every listing must be filed with the MLS?

A: Yes, listings can be filed and submitted in one of three ways:

• Through the Brokerage Exclusive Waiver Form submitted to mlspolicy@columbusrealtors.com
• The most recent MLS Listing Agreement containing brokerage exclusive language submitted to mlspolicy@columbusrealtors.com
• Or by submitting the listing in the FlexMLS platform (soon to be available)

Q: When will I be able to “file the brokerage exclusive” directly into Flex?

A: This feature is currently in development by our vendor, FBS Flex, with an anticipated Q4 2025 rollout.

Q: What if my seller doesn’t want their listing on the internet at all? Must I still submit it to the MLS?

A: Yes, digital (emailed PDF) or hard copies (paper) are acceptable.  If sent directly to MLS, staff will NOT upload listings to FlexFBS. This option would ensure the brokerage exclusive is not visible to anyone within the office but it may still be marketed one-to-one.

Q:Can the listing status change during the life of the listing? Examples: Active to Exclude from Internet. Brokerage exclusive to active, Exclude from Internet to Active.

A: Yes, nothing has changed

Q: What, if any documentation is required if my seller decides to change statues throughout the listing?

A: Nothing has changed.

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10/01/2025

Cotality will be conducting maintenance on systems that affect Realist® this weekend on Saturday, September 27, 2025 between 11:30 pm – 10:00 am Sunday, September 28, 2025. The Realist application and autopop public record integration will be unavailable for the majority of this maintenance window.

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09/25/2025