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Note: Most posts prior to 11/2012 are not available in the archive.

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· MLS Listing Lifecycle: New Infographic Shows the Steps from Listing to Sold   10/14/2019
· Accessibility Features: New Worksheet Now Available   10/04/2019
· Document Upload: Critical Information About Your Listing   10/04/2019
· MLS Listing Lifecycle: New Infographic Shows the Steps from Listing to Sold   10/03/2019
· Erroneous “SqFt Documented field is blank” Emails   09/26/2019
· Do not give your MLS password to a vendor, virtual assistant…or anyone else.   09/26/2019
· CSS and ShowingTime: What the merger means to MLS   09/25/2019
· CDOM Calculation: “Look Back” Days Changed to 31   09/16/2019
· Display Change: Compensation, Sub-Agency, Buyer Broker/Tenant Rep   09/13/2019
· MLS Tip: Business Opportunity Listings Must be Tied to Land   09/04/2019
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Note: Most posts prior to 11/2012 are not available in the archive.

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MLS Listing Lifecycle: New Infographic Shows the Steps from Listing to Sold

The MLS department has created a new infographic called “MLS Listing Lifecycle”. This infographic may help you or your client understand the many “twists and turns” that happen to an MLS listing until it reaches “sold” status. Click the link below to download the PDF.

Download the MLS Listing Lifecycle infographic

Published: 20191003

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10/14/2019

Accessibility Features: New Worksheet Now Available

There is a brand new, expanded Accessibility Features worksheet. If you are selling an accessible home, it is very important to highlight those property features. This will increase the value of the home. It will also help buyers correctly identify properties that meet their specific needs.

The new worksheet was designed by a Real Estate agent who specializes in Accessible Homes in the Northwest MLS. Northwest MLS was kind enough to allow Columbus Realtors to adapt their Accessibility form and use it in the Columbus and Central Ohio Regional MLS.

Download the new Accessibility Features worksheet.

You can also download the new Accessibility Features worksheet from the link that appears on the Add/Edit screen directly below the Accessible Features field.

To use this new Accessbility worksheet:

  1. Select “Yes” in the field “Accessible Features” field for your MLS listing.
  2. Complete the Accessibility worksheet and save as PDF.
  3. Upload the PDF as an attachment to your listing. (Mark as Private document if there is any branding on the PDF)
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10/04/2019

Document Upload: Critical Information About Your Listing

It is very important to upload supporting documents to your listings.  These documents provide critical information and disclosures about specific property features. Some attached documents are required by MLS policy while others are optional uploads. This does not indicate that the required documents are the only ones that should be uploaded.  All documents help to inform potential buyers or their agents of property-specific features.  They may even increase the perceived value of the property for sale.  

The Lead Based Paint and Residential Property Disclosure forms are required at the federal and state level.  These critical attachments are not specifically required by MLS Policy as mandatory uploads.  However, it is highly recommended that they be uploaded in a timely manner.

How do I attach documents to my listing?

  1. Login to MLS
  2. Go to Menu > Add/Change > Change Listing
  3. Select the listing to which you wish to attach a document
  4. Go to Media > Documents
  5. Click “Choose File” and select the file you wish to upload
  6. Type a Description for your file (eg “Lead Based Paint Addendum”)
  7. Select Public or Private.  This step is important.  No branding is allowed for Public documents.
  8. Click Add

Several fields in the MLS, when marked “yes”, require the appropriate document be uploaded and attached to the listing.  According to MLS Policy, failure to upload these required documents could result in an MLS fine.  Review the official MLS Policy below.

1.02.15 – Required Document Not Attached to Listing
Documents that are required to be attached to listings must be uploaded within 5 business days of the listing entry date.

These documents include:

  • Accessibility Features Worksheet
  • Energy/Green Features Checklist
  • Residential Dwelling/Other Structure for Land Property Worksheet

The required documents can be found at www.columbusrealtors.com on the MLS Worksheets, Forms, & Contracts page.

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MLS Listing Lifecycle: New Infographic Shows the Steps from Listing to Sold

The MLS department has created a new infographic called “MLS Listing Lifecycle”. This infographic may help you or your client understand the many “twists and turns” that happen to an MLS listing until it reaches “sold” status. Click the link below to download the PDF.

Download the MLS Listing Lifecycle infographic

Published: 20191003

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10/03/2019

Erroneous “SqFt Documented field is blank” Emails

What is Happening?

Over the last 3 mornings, you may have received an email stating that your listing has the SqFt Documented field blank even though you actually have a value supplied.

We have been in touch with the vendor and are pressing them for a resolve on the issue. We expect an answer from them today.

What should I do?

If your listing has a value supplied for SqFT Documented, you can ignore the email. If your listing does not have a value entered, please take the steps provided in the email to notify MLS staff of a value to enter on your listing.

History of the email

Our vendor, FBS, has an automatic script process to watch for listings that DO NOT have the field SqFT Documented filled out. If found the script will process the next morning and send out an email reminding our policy regarding SqFT Documented.

The email states:

MLS Policy requires the Sq Ft Documented field to be accurate for all listings. The listing agent must provide proof of taxable square footage from a professional source to the MLS within 15 days from the entry date. You must provide this proof by email in PDF format or by FAX. You cannot update the listing’s Sq Ft Documented yourself. The field is locked after initial entry.

You will continue to receive this notification for 15 days or until the field is updated by MLS staff. After 15 days, the listing agent will receive a Data Maintenance Fee for late entry of Sq Ft Documented. This policy applies to all Residential and Res Rental listings.

PROOF OF SQ. FT. SOURCE DOCUMENTS:

MLS staff must update the Sq. Ft. Documented field for you based upon the source document you provide. Acceptable source documents include county auditor’s record, appraisals, builder statements and floor plans provided by a builder, architect or licensed appraiser. Please submit these documents to MLS so your listing can be updated immediately. You may submit documentation as a PDF by email or FAX.

SUBMIT TO:

QUESTIONS? (614) 475-4000 (ask for MLS Corrections)

 



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09/26/2019

Do not give your MLS password to a vendor, virtual assistant…or anyone else.

Providing your MLS password to anyone is a violation of MLS policy.

MLS Policy specifically forbids providing your password to any other user.  There is NOT an exception for vendors or virtual assistant.  Do not provide your password to vendor or virtual assistant provider who will then log in as you to run searches or reports in the MLS.  This is subject to a minimum $500 fine.  No one is permitted to access the MLS with your login information except you.

In addition to vendors, no one else is permitted to login as you either.  Other agents, members of your team, assistants and all other users must have their own login. They must login as themselves, then “superuse” (do business) as you.  Family members, friends, and clients should never be given your MLS login credentials.  Password sharing for any purpose is not permitted.

ACTUAL MLS POLICY:

1.05.01 – Data Security/Password Sharing Escalation Policy
Fine with No Warning
$500, $1000, $2000, Suspension

MLS users who are identified multiple times as “suspected of login sharing” will be subject to an escalation process. Your login name and password shall not be shared, disclosed or knowingly allowed to come into the possession of any other person. This escalation will follow this schedule:

1st Violation: $500 fine, password reset, and user is contacted by telephone
2nd Violation: $1000 fine, broker notification, and additional password reset
3rd Violation: $2000 fine, broker notification, and additional password reset
4th Violation: Five-day suspension from MLS, broker notification, and additional password reset.

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CSS and ShowingTime: What the merger means to MLS

CSS has become part of ShowingTime. CSS has informed the MLS that CSS staff and phone numbers will not change. Only the software will be updated. The branding for CSS will move toward ShowingTime over the coming months. All questions about this transition should be directed to the showing service directly.

All CSS accounts will move to ShowingTime on November 19, 2019. The showing links within MLS will be updated on November 19th as well. This should prevent any disruption in service.

More information here:
https://www.showingtime.com/css-joins-showingtime/

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09/25/2019

CDOM Calculation: “Look Back” Days Changed to 31

PLEASE NOTE: This change affects only the single field, CDOM. The regular display of Days on Market (DOM) and full MLS listing history will not be affected by this change.

The Cumulative Days on Market (CDOM) field was recently removed from the default reports in MLS. The MLS Board of Directors has reviewed CDOM and determined that it should be restored to the private, agent-only reports. However, the calculation of CDOM will be significantly modified. This change will affect the total CDOM reported for many MLS listings.

The most notable change to CDOM is the number of “look back” days that will determine whether the previous DOM will be accumulated into the CDOM field. CDOM previously “looked back” 365 days prior to list date.  This “look back” will be reduced to 31 days prior to list date instead of 365.

Every listing will “look back” 31 days prior to list date and accumulate the CDOM from any prior listing found that did not result in Sold status. The total CDOM for all accumulated listings will be displayed in the newest listing’s CDOM field.

The CDOM calculations will begin updating immediately. This will require several weeks to complete. The CDOM field will be restored to the reports after the calculation is updated. All CDOM changes should be complete by November 2019.

New CDOM calculation rules for 2019:

1) A newly listed property will “look back” 31 days (previously 365 days) prior to list date.

2) If no previous listing for that property is found when looking back 31 days prior to list date, then both DOM and CDOM will start at 1.

3) If a Sold status listing is found when looking back 31 days prior to list date, then both DOM and CDOM will start at 1.

4) If a listing of any other status is found when looking back 31 days prior to list date, then DOM will start at 1 while CDOM will be 1+(previous listing’s CDOM)

CDOM Example 1:
A home that has not been listed in several years is placed on the MLS for 60 days then Expires or is Cancelled.
CDOM = 60
The same property is newly listed for sale by any brokerage after 14 days.
CDOM = 61 (31 day “look back” finds and accumulates previous CDOM)
Listing is cancelled after 30 days.
CDOM = 91
The same property is relisted by any brokerage 5 days after expiration.
CDOM = 92 (31 day “look back” finds and accumulates previous CDOM)

CDOM Example 2 – Off Market more than 31 days:
A home that has not been listed in several years is placed on the MLS for 60 days, then Expires or is Cancelled in MLS.
CDOM = 60
The same property is listed for sale by any brokerage 34 days after the previous listing was Cancelled.
CDOM = 1 (31 day “look back” finds no listings to accumulate)

CDOM Example 3 – Sold listing encountered:
A home that has not been listed in several years is placed on the MLS for 60 days, then is Sold and marked Closed.
CDOM = 60
The same property is listed for sale by any brokerage in 20 days.
CDOM = 1

Days on Market (DOM) will continue to be displayed on MLS reports. The current calculation of DOM will not be modified. No listing history will be removed from any listing. All changes currently tracked by MLS listing history will continue to be displayed on the history screen in MLS.

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09/16/2019

Display Change: Compensation, Sub-Agency, Buyer Broker/Tenant Rep

  • Change affects only the way the fields are displayed on the reports
  • Data in the fields and the listing entry process have not changed
  • Previous report displayed 2 separate fields for “Amount” and “Type”.
  • New fields are concatenated and displayed in a single “Amount” field.
  • Symbols “$” and “%” have been relabeled “Dollars” and “Percent”.
  • All property types were updated to display the amount and type together.
  • Res Rental has only “Compensation” in lieu of BB/TR and SA.

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09/13/2019

MLS Tip: Business Opportunity Listings Must be Tied to Land

The MLS Board of Directors clarified the definition of Business Opportunity listings in the MLS. The listed must be tied to real property in order to be placed in the MLS. The land tied to the Business Opportunity may be leased or for-sale.

This affects business opportunities such as food trucks. All businesses, mobile or otherwise, must be tied to land. For example, a truck and equipment without any ties to land cannot be entered into the MLS as a Business Opportunity listing.

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09/04/2019