Agents will now be able to link directly to the private, agent-only reports from manual email.

1. Previously, only subscription auto-email contained links to the private version of the report in the agent copy.  Agent copies of manual email did not have the private report links.  This required the agent to copy the MLS# and open a new MLS window to see the private reports.
2. The yellow box at top of email identifies “Agent Only” links. This yellow box with link to private reports will now appear on all agent copies of email (subscription and manual).  The agent can now simply click the private link to see the agent-only private report.
3. Public links are still accessible by clicking the link in the body of the email (same as subscription email)

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09/16/2016

Listings emailed to the client manually now function as “opt-in” for that client’s email address.

How the new opt-in process works:

1. If a contact clicks a manual email link from the agent, it will count as confirmation of their email address and allow them to receive subscription updates
2. An additional line of disclaimer text was added to manual emails: “By clicking a link in this email, you agree to receive future listing-related automatic emails from your real estate agent.”
3. Each time a contact clicks a link within a subscription or manual email will extend the expiration 13 months.
4. If the client has previously opted-out of subscription email, clicking a manual link will function as opt-in for subscription email.  This will limit the need for agents to use the “send opt-in request” option.  Simply sending a listing to that client’s email address will function as opt-in confirmation (once link is clicked).

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The wording of the initial subscription opt-in email and confirmation screen have been updated as of September 12, 2016.

Notable changes include:

1. Text updated to “We’re excited to be helping you with your real estate needs. We’ve set up a free portal for you. To get started, click the button below to confirm you want to receive email updates from [agent’s name].”
2. Confirm Button updated to “Yes, Please Send Me Listings.”
3. Clicking “Yes, Please Send Me Listings” now displays a confirmation of subscription opt-in and allow the client to view their News Feed by clicking View Listings.
4. The Manage Subscription link will allow them to unsubscribe from listing updates.

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CoreLogic will be performing system maintenance on the evening of Saturday, September 17, 2016 beginning at 11:00 PM through 4:00 AM Sunday morning.  Realist may be intermittently unavailable during this maintenance period.

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The MLS will be intermittently inaccessible on Friday, September 9th between 1:00am and 5:00am. The Flexmls system may be completely offline for approximately 30 minutes during this window.

This planned maintenance downtime is due to a system upgrade taking place at a network provider used by our vendor, FBS.

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09/07/2016

*Update at 9:37am* – Print to PDF functionality looks to be restored. We are still following up with several other smaller issues.

*Original* We are seeing that it appears the Print to PDF option that was available in several locations within Flexmls is currently unavailable. This, along with several other smaller issues, appears to be the result of the software vendor restoring access to the system after a brief period of inaccessibility this morning.

We are in touch with the vendor and expect to see functionality fully restored at some point today. We will update this notice as we learn more from our vendor.

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08/31/2016

New selections have been added to several MLS fields in MLS.  The changes affect Residential and Res Rental property types only.  These new selections are available immediately when entering or editing a listing.  The new items will appear on the reports in the sections already designated for the fields to which they have been added.

As with all new selections, please remember that it will take some time for the fields to be adopted widely.  This means that many properties that were entered prior to the new items being available.  Unless updated by the listing agent, they may go off market before the agent adds the pertinent new selections.

Below is a list of the new selections now available in the fields identified.

Added to Field – Interior Amenities:

• On-Demand Water Heater
• Water Filtration System
• Whole House Fan
• Gas Dryer Hookup
• Electric Dryer Hookup
• Electric Water Heater
• Gas Water Heater

Added to Field – Exterior Amenities:

• Cistern

Added to Field – Foundation:

• Other

Added to Field – Heating:

• Boiler
• Wall furnace
• No Heat

Modified in Field – Style:

• “Cape Cod” label changed to “Cape Cod/1.5 Story”
  (NOTE: this is primarily a label change.  The previous selection label was simply “Cape Cod”.  No selection for “1.5 Story” style previously existed. The new labeling is meant to encourage the use of this selection for Cape Cod and 1.5 Story properties.)

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08/29/2016

Realist will be performing system maintenance on the evening of Friday, August 26, 2016 beginning at 11:00 PM through 12:00 AM. Realist may be intermittently unavailable during this maintenance period.

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08/26/2016

Primary Policies regarding Delayed Showings / Showing Start Date

1. There may be no showings of any kind until such time as the date established as the “Showing Start Date” has been met. For the purpose of the “Showing Start Date” policy, the following would qualify as showings: Open Houses, realty tours, agent previews
2. The “Showing Start Date” may not be moved to an earlier date for any reason once it has been entered into the MLS. The only exception would be when a mistake is realized and the MLS is notified within 24 hours of entry.
3. The “Showing Start Date” is limited to a date no more than 30 days in the future. If originally set to less than thirty (30) days in the future, it can be extended. The extension cannot be further out than thirty (30) days from the original list date.
4. The “Showing Start Date” cannot be changed once it has been met. If showings must be stopped again for a period of time after the “Showing Start Date” has passed, the listing should be in the withdrawn (Temp off Market) status.
5. Any showing of a property before the “Showing Start Date” has been met will be a violation of MLS Policy and potentially the NAR REALTOR® Code of Ethics. There may also be issues with Fair Housing Laws that could affect the REALTOR®, their broker and the seller.

Below, you will find a recap of several MLS Welcome Screen posts regarding Showing Start Date.

Many questions on the proper utilization of Showing Start Date can be answered via this link. For specific questions regarding showing start date and MLS policy surrounding it, please contact mlspolicy@columbusrealtors.com or the MLS Policy Administrator at 614-475-4000 during the hours of Mon-Fri 8:30a-5:00p.

The list below begins with the most recent article:

Delayed Showing Authorization Form – Now Required for Listings with Future Showing Start Date

A new Delayed Showing Authorization Form has been created and adopted for use with listings that utilize a future Showing Start Date. The form is required for any listing for which the Showing Start Date is after the List Date. (Example: List Date June 1, Showing Start Date June 10.)

Brokers are permitted to formulate their own version of the form provided the substitute form contains at least the same requirements as the MLS version of the form.

Download the Delayed Showing Authorization Form

 – Originally posted 06/24/2016

Showing Start Date Limited to 30 Days in Future of List Date

The Showing Start Date will be limited to a maximum of 30 days in the future from the list date per MLS committee and Board of Directors’ decision.

If originally set less than 30 days in the future, it can be extended. The extension cannot be further out than 30 days from the original List Date. This policy will be effective immediately based on the ability of the vendor to implement the changes. Current listings where the Showing Start Date is more than 30 days out will not be affected.

 – Originally posted 06/24/2016

Showing Start Date Displayed More Prominently on Public and Private Reports

The Showing Start Date field has been added to the top of public and private reports in the MLS.  It was added to the Full Report (1 page), Full 2-page report, and Brief with Photos report.  The field appears directly below the List Price/Original List Price fields at the top right corner of these reports.  Previously, the field was displayed only at the bottom of the private reports.

The Board of Directors felt this was a high priority change since the Showing Start Date directly impacts buyers.  They felt the field should be made much more prominent so that the buyers were aware of this critical field.   Please make sure your clients know about Showing Start Date and that they will not be able to enter the property until the Showing Start Date passes.

 – Originally posted 05/05/2016

Showing Start Date – Live on MLS

The Showing Start Date field is now live on MLS.  The field is required entry for all new and existing listings. Members are now able to promote those listings “not quite ready for showing” while still entering them in MLS.  The Showing Start Date field enables members to enter an exact date when showings will begin.  It is important to note that NO SHOWINGS FOR ANYONE are permitted prior to the Showing Start Date.

New showing policy is also in place.  Verbiage such as “No Showings until 12/30/2015” is allowed in the Property Description field. You may also include a reason for the delayed showings such as “new carpet being installed”.  All wording in the Property Description field is still subject to MLS policies, rules and regulations.

Read the Full Article for more information about this new field and how it will work.

 – Originally posted 12/14/2015

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08/16/2016

Policy Reminder: Reporting of Co-Operative Transaction – It is the responsibility of the listing agent to properly report the cooperating agent/firm when closing out a listing. Failure to properly report this will affect the MLS statistics and the ability of other agents to properly gauge and report on their numbers. The MLS Committee assigns a high level of importance to accurate information and as a result there is a policy regarding this matter.

1.01.02 – Inaccurate Co-op Information for Closing (Sold)  – Data Maintenance Fee with Warning

Warning, $50, $100, $500

If the sale of property listed in MLS resulted in a co-op with another real estate company, the listing company shall report

the name and number of the co-op Participant or just the number (9980) of any non-Participant in the sale of that property.

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08/15/2016