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

Public Marketing Guidelines for Clear Cooperation:

Publicly advertised properties must be in one of the following types or they are fineable Clear Cooperation violations:

• Active listing in the MLS (with or without a future Showing Start Date)
• Coming Soon listing in the MLS (with a future Active on MLS Date)
• Written permission from seller to advertise without listing agreement. 
  • Permission MUST be in writing.
  • This requires verbiage “No Listing Contract” to be prominently displayed.
  • Office Exclusive (listing agreement signed with a List Date in the future.)
    • Marketing permitted ONLY within the brokerage.

Clear Cooperation-related Changes to the MLS Rules and Regulations:

• Section 1.18 Temporary Off Market Properties:
  • No showings permitted.
  • Written directive from seller required to return to active
  • Sign should remain on the property.
• Section 1.19 Marketing a Property Without a Listing Agreement:
  • Requires seller’s written consent.
  • Marketing must prominently display “No Listing Contract”.
• Section 1.20 Showings required within 72 hours of Back on Market:
  • Must begin showing within 72 hours or take off market.
  • Unless it is “curb offers only”.

Clear Cooperation-related fines added:

• 1.05.04 Showing a listing during a No Showings Allowed Period:
  • This fine will be assessed for showing a listing:Before the Showing Start Date (for Active listings).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. $1000 for the first offense, $2500 for the second and $5000 for the third.
• 1.02.17 Failure to display “No Listing Contract” for properties without a listing agreement:
  • The words “No Listing Contract” must be prominently displayed on advertising when a property is marketed without a listing contract. The fine will be a Tier One violation which receives a warning, then $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $500 for the third.

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11/02/2020

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.

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Ever wonder why things happen in the MLS or think about serving on the MLS Committee and wonder how that’s done? The process to serve on this committee is different than any other. First, it’s an elected committee with a limited number of seats determined by a weighted formula based on the MLS’s number of agents, listings, solds and offices. The number of seats available can change each year based on this formula or elected members whose term ends. This number can sometimes also change as a result of members simply changing offices and then perhaps no longer representing the group from which they were elected. You can find more details on the election process here.

Seats available for firms with 0-25 listings per year: 1
Seats available for firms with 26-100 listings per year: 2
Seats available for firms with 101-500 listings per year: 4
Seats available for firms with 501-1000 listings per year: 1

Interested in Running?

Follow these steps to throw your hat in the ring:

1. If you are not the Broker for your company, you must obtain permission from your Broker to be considered for the ballot.
2. Submit a brief bio or resume (including photo) by Monday Nov. 2nd, 2020 at 4:00pm to the MLS at Columbus REALTORS®

Your bio and resume will be presented to the MLS Nominating Committee who are selected at the Annual Business Meeting.   The five selected Brokers that serve on the Nominating Committee, as well as the current MLS Committee Chair and the President Elect, meet in November to select candidates.  A ballot is created for the annual election where only brokers vote.   Members who wish to volunteer their time to serve are very much in demand by the Nominating Committee and always appreciated.

Questions?

Review the information linked to the main Columbus REALTORS® site or you can contact Matt Warren at (614) 475-4000 or email mlselections@columbusrealtors.com

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10/30/2020

The hosting team with FBS (our mls vendor) is looking into the issue with system slowness and it’s pointed directly to a service provider (Telia) issue between Chicago and Omaha.

As such, FBS is continuing to monitor the issue, but as of now, it appears that it is related to a connectivity issue between servers. 

We will provide updates as they are received.

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10/16/2020