You can now download the latest review of the MLS Policy Violation Manual.  The manual has been updated for changes effective March 1, 2020.

Changes include the following:

1.01.04 – Incorrect Sub-Type  – Data Maintenance Fee with Warning

Warning, $50, $100, $500

Listings entered in MLS must display the correct sub-type, e.g., condominiums may not be entered as single-family homes and vice versa. Single Family properties that have a shared wall(s) with another dwelling must be entered as Single-Family Shared Wall. Single Family properties that are free-standing (do not share attached wall(s) with another property) must be entered as Single-Family Freestanding. Condominiums that have a shared wall must be entered as Condo Shared Wall. Condominiums that are free-standing must be entered as Condo Free Standing. New build properties without a building permit must be entered in MLS with the sub-type selected as Build-to-Suit Single Family or Build-to-Suit Condo. Mobile homes must be entered as Other Residential with or without Deeded Land. Leasehold must be used for properties that have a long-term lease on the land.

1.02.01 – Unallowable Data in Property Description – Fine with Warning

Warning, $100, $200, $500

No branding, self-promotion, URLs, or contact information of any kind is permitted in the Property Description field. Comments specific to buyers or buyer-related information, including financing concerns, are also prohibited.  The comment “Back on Market – See Agent to Agent Remarks” is permitted. MLS staff is authorized to delete wording as needed to make the Property Description compliant with this policy.  Specific showing instructions are not allowed with the following exceptions: References to the actual Coming Soon status/Active on MLS date (i.e., “No showings until Dec 14 – floor refinishing”), the phrase “curb offers only”, and Notice to Show instructions such as “24 hours or more notice to show”. Name of builder or model is permitted only for resale properties. New construction and Build-to-Suit properties cannot display the builder or model name in this field. Note: If Active on MLS date is changed, Property Description should be updated

1.02.16 – Active on MLS Date for Coming Soon – Inaccurate Remarks/Description – Fine with Warning

Warning, $100, $200, $500

Any mention of the date upon which showings begin in the Property Description or in the Agent to Agent Remarks must match the information as it exists in the Active on MLS date for Coming Soon listings. In situations where the Active on MLS date was properly extended in the listing data, but the information was not updated in the Property Description and/or the Agent to Agent Remarks, the information will be changed and the listing agent will be notified.

1.03.03 – Unauthorized use of MLS or Other Copyrighted Photo –  Fine with No Warning

$500, $2500, $5000

Other than county auditor photos, members cannot advertise, distribute, display or in any way re-use any other person’s photos without proper authorization from the photographer or copyright holder who supplied them.  A first offense will include the $500 fine and a required education component.

1.03.06 — Unacceptable language in MLS Text Fields –  Fine with No Warning

$100, $200, $500

Use of unacceptable language in any MLS field is prohibited. Unacceptable language is defined in the MLS Rules and Regulations.

1.04.07 – Display of Sexually Explicit Materials –   Fine with No Warning

$2500, $3500, $5000    

Any sexually explicit images on a listing will be removed and a fine will be assessed of $2500 for the first offense, $3500 for the second offense and $5000 for the third offense. An ethics complaint by the chair of the MLS Board Chair shall be filed with each offense.

1.05.04 – Showing a Listing During a No Showings Allowed Period – Fine with No Warning

$1000, $2500, $5000, Suspension (Plus)

This fine will be assessed for showing a listing:

• Before the Active on MLS date (for Coming Soon).
• While in the Temporary Off Market Status.

Fine assessed to both the listing and buyer agents.

NOTE: Effective immediately, the Coming Soon status with a future Active on MLS date MUST be used if showings are delayed until a future date. Showing Start Date will be completely removed on March 1, 2021.

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02/23/2021

It’s time to update the tax information on your listings for the 2020 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-pop 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 2020 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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02/12/2021

On behalf of Columbus REALTORS® 2021 President Michael Jones, President-Elect Sue Van Woerkom, Treasurer Patti Brown-Wright, Secretary Scott Hrabcak and CEO John Geha:

Social media has been inundated with inquiries regarding the Zillow Group Acquisition of Showing Time.  The Columbus REALTORS® staff will not be addressing any inquiry that infers Anti-Trust or has legal questions on Anti-Trust or Conflict of Interest. The legalities of the acquisition are far beyond the reach of the MLS.

The Columbus REALTORS® will continue to conduct business and make member benefit product decisions as we always have in the past. Vendors are vetted by leadership committees and leadership will vote to approve any vendor and product based on legal criteria.

NAR Anti-Trust 101  (6:45 mark advances to specific Boycott Anti-Trust)

MLS Anti-Trust Compliance Policy  (you may need your NAR website credentials)

See below for a statement from your Columbus REALTORS® Officers. Please share as needed or at will.

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This has been resolved as of 2/17/2021 by confirmation from our vendor and testing by MLS Staff.

CoreLogic, the vendor of Data Co-op has confirmed issues with report generation specifically related to the RealAVM report.

CoreLogic is working to remedy the issue and this is a top priority for resolution.

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02/11/2021

USE ACTIVE ON MLS DATE FOR COMING SOON STATUS TO DELAY SHOWINGS. PLEASE READ ENTIRE PAGE.

Per recent policy change, Showing Start Date is being replaced by Coming Soon on March 1. To aid in this transition, Showing Start Date has been hidden, and Active on MLS date for Coming Soon status should be used to delay showings effective immediately.

TO DELAY SHOWINGS FOR LISTINGS ENTERED BEFORE MARCH 1:

New listings:

• Enter Showing Start Date as the same as Listing Entry (List) Date. Showing Start Date has been removed from Add/Edit. Use Coming Soon status for delayed showings.
• Select the Coming Soon status.
• Enter the date showings will be available in the Active on MLS field.

Current listings:

• Showings are not allowed until both of the following dates have passed:
  • the Showing Start Date originally entered at the time of listing which is displayed on the MLS reports until March 1.
  • the Active on MLS date for Coming Soon listing status.
• Listings in the Coming Soon status can be made active early by clicking “End Coming Soon” on Add/Edit but the Showing Start Date cannot be moved to an earlier date.

For questions, please contact MLS Tech Support.

AFTER MARCH 1:

• COMING SOON MUST BE PUT IN AT THE TIME OF LISTING.
• The Active on MLS date will be able to be moved earlier – or further into the future.
• Days on Market will not accumulate during the Coming Soon period.
• Advertising will be allowed.
• Showings of any kind will not be allowed before the Active on MLS date.
• The End Coming Soon button can be used to make the listing Active prior to the Active on MLS date.
• Coming Soon status listings will be included in Subscription Auto-emails. (This means that emails will go out.)
• Showing Start Date will be completely removed from MLS reports and search.

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02/04/2021

As of 6:36PM EST, 2/2/21, the vendor FBS is reporting that all systems should be back up and functioning.

FBS, the vendor of Flexmls, is currently aware of issues with Flexmls Web, Flexmls Pro, and consumer apps.

As such, this has been reported to the vendor and they are working towards a resolution.

Please continue to check the welcome screen regarding any updates.

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02/02/2021

You can now download the latest review of the MLS Policy Violation Manual.  The manual has been updated November 2020.

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11/20/2020

Coming Soon Status Rules (updated November 13, 2020):

1. Listings may remain in “Coming Soon” status for a maximum of 30 days
   1. The “Coming Soon period” is measured from List Date to “Active on MLS Date”
2. Yard signs require a “Coming Soon” rider during the “Coming Soon” status period
3. Advertising is permitted. allowed on agent and/or broker social media and personal website only (no third-party syndication or lead gen sites)
4. Showings are not allowed while listing is in Coming Soon status.
5. Days on Market will not accumulate while a listing is in Coming Soon status.
6. Subscription auto-email will not include Coming Soon listings until they convert to Active listing status.

NOTE: #3 above – Restrictions for third party sites were removed.  Advertising on client social media, third party syndication and lead generation sites is permitted. 

FAQ and Video below are being update to reflect the removal of restrictions for 3rd party advertising

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF):

VIDEO: Coming Soon Interview with Michael Jones (Q&A):

More information will be made available over the coming days. Be on the lookout for a Coming Soon FAQ and video. Links will be provided in e-Notes this week. There will also be a full article in In Contract magazine.

Original Post Nov. 2, 2020

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11/13/2020

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions (PDF):

https://www.columbusrealtors.com/clientuploads/Forms_Directory/ComingSoon_FAQ_20201028rev1.pdf

VIDEO: Coming Soon Interview with Michael Jones (Q&A):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CigmBksJK4&t=1s

Coming Soon Status Rules:

• Listings may remain in “Coming Soon” status for a maximum of 30 days
  • The “Coming Soon period” is measured from List Date to “Active on MLS Date”
• Yard signs require a “Coming Soon” rider during the “Coming Soon” status period
• Advertising is allowed on agent and/or broker social media and personal website only (no third-party syndication or lead gen sites)
• Showings are not allowed while listing is in Coming Soon status.
• Days on Market will not accumulate while a listing is in Coming Soon status.

More information will be made available over the coming days. Be on the lookout for a Coming Soon FAQ and video. Links will be provided in e-Notes this week. There will also be a full article in In Contract magazine.

Original Post Nov. 2, 2020

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11/09/2020

In observation of Election Day 2020, Columbus Realtors will be working from home after noon on 11/3/2020 (12:00pm EST). All email and phone/voicemail correspondence after 12:00pm will be answered at the earliest possible time with the latest being on 11/4/2020. Thank you for your understanding.

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11/03/2020