Clear Cooperation and Coming Soon have been with us for quite a while now.  They are related, but definitely not the same.  Below is a very brief, easier-to-remember SUMMARY of the differences.  The intent is to create a simple way to “remind yourself” of the main differences.

Clear Cooperation:

1. NO ADVERTISING “of any kind” outside the brokerage. 
2. Brokerage Exclusive form is required by MLS.
3. From the Commencing Date on the Listing Agreement through the MLS Entry Date (list date) when the listing appears in MLS and is visible to all MLS vendors.
4. MLS Entry Date field determines when the listing “must be in MLS” but status at time of entry can be Coming Soon (ie showings NOT allowed) or Active.

Coming Soon:

1. NO SHOWINGS “of any kind” while in Coming Soon status.
2. Showings begin when the Active on MLS date is reached or the agent clicks the “End Coming Soon” button to convert the listing early to Active status per seller’s written direction.

These are extremely simplified definitions of Clear Cooperation and Coming Soon. Please refer to the full details published in the Policy Violation Manual and MLS Rules and Regulations.

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06/03/2022

The Section 8 field has been removed from the Res Rental property type. The communities of Reynoldsburg, Bexley, and Columbus recently implemented legislation that potential tenants cannot be disqualified based on their legal source of income. More communities are expected to implement a similar type of law.

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10/11/2021

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

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09/30/2021

Policy 1.02.16 has been updated to include requirements for properties in Active status.  See full policy below.

1.02.16 – Active on MLS Date for Coming Soon or Active Status – Inaccurate Remarks/Description 

• For Coming Soon, the date showings begin must be accurate between property description, agent-to-agent remarks, and the Active on MLS date field. If the Active on MLS date is changed, all other fields must be updated to match.
• For Active, showings must be available unless “curb offers only” is indicated.
• For Back on Market, showings must begin within 72 hours unless “curb offers only” is indicated.

If the time limitations cannot be met, the listing must be taken off the market until ready for showings.

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08/27/2021

The label for the “Contingent Finance and Inspection” status label will change to simply “Contingent” on August 11. This is only a label change for this status. The functionality has not changed. This change was made since many contingencies may not include both Financing AND Inspection.

The Contingency Reason field still exists and should be used to clarify the specifics of the contingency (Finance OR Inspection). Contingent Escape (eg. Sale of Home) and Contingent Lien Release (eg. Short Sale) statuses also still
exist and should be used for these specific types of contingencies.

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08/10/2021

Closed listings must be entered into the MLS within 96 hours from the actual closing and funding date.

HUD listings are to be updated within 96 hours of either:

1) Asset Manager’s notice of closing
2) the county auditor or Realist published sale information for the property.

Please ensure that your closed listings are entered before this deadline to avoid any warnings or fines.

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05/13/2021

The Office Exclusive form allowed agents to keep a listing exclusive to their brokerage. The Brokerage Exclusive Waiver Form is the same form with a new name.  The form is still required when a listing will not be placed on the MLS on the Commencing Date on the Listing Agreement.

                A number of members thought that the old Office Exclusive form limited the listing to just the listing office, denying them the support of their sister offices. The name change of the Brokerage Exclusive Waiver Form clarifies that the listing can be shared with the entire brokerage, not just a satellite office.

                Most details of the form remain the same. The Brokerage Exclusive Waiver Form is still required to have an exclusive listing. It must be submitted to the Columbus MLS within 48 hours after the Commencing Date on the Listing Agreement. Exclusive listings cannot be advertised outside the brokerage, as doing so can result in a Clear Cooperation violation. Any exclusive listing marketed outside the brokerage must be entered as Active or Coming Soon in the MLS within 1 business day, or a significant fine for Clear Cooperation violations will be assessed.

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04/30/2021

The Delayed Showing Authorization form has been discontinued following the replacement of Showing Start Date (SSD) with Coming Soon and the Active on MLS date. Delayed Showing forms are no longer available or required for listings. The rules and regulations for Delayed Showings/Showing Start Date have been consolidated and rolled into Coming Soon, so reference these rules when considering a delayed showing.

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04/29/2021

Coming Soon MUST be selected at the time the listing is created.  An Active listing cannot be returned to Coming Soon status.

When a new listing is being entered into the MLS, user must choose a status under the Main Fields section. The new listing status can be either Active or Coming Soon. Coming Soon must be selected before the listing is made active. When Coming soon is selected, the user will then be prompted for a List Date and an Active on MLS date.

The List Date is the day when your listing goes up on the MLS showing as Coming Soon. This corresponds with the MLS Entry Date field on the listing agreement. While in Coming Soon status, your listing does not accrue Days on Market (DOM). The Active on MLS date is when the MLS switches your listing to the Active status for you, making it fully available for showings.

No showings are allowed while your listing is in the Coming Soon status. When it becomes Active, it must be available for showings immediately. Be aware of this when you set your List and Active on MLS dates, as this is the only method to delay showings for properties. Coming Soon and Active on MLS Date have completely replaced the Showing Start Date.

 While you can extend Coming Soon up to a maximum of 30 days from List Date, you cannot move the Active on MLS date to an earlier date.  You can, however, use the End Coming Soon button, which makes converts the listing to Active status immediately.  So, be sure to double-check your dates!

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04/26/2021

Please Note: Showing rules and requirements (eg showing instructions in property description) are applied to Coming Soon’s “Active on MLS” date. Coming Soon status MUST BE USED as the replacement for Showing Start Date.

The image above shows the Status field on Add/Edit.  Active on MLS date field appears when Coming Soon status is selected. 

• Coming Soon status is the ONLY WAY to “delay showings” (until the Active on MLS date).
  • Fines will be assessed for listings that state “no showings until” that are not in Coming Soon status. All MLS showing requirements will be applied to Active on MLS date as it has replaced Showing Start Date.
• The Active on MLS date is the date upon which showings will begin.
  • Maximum of 30 days from Listing Entry (List) Date.
• Coming Soon status must be selected at time of entry. It cannot be selected after the listing is entered.
  • Yard signs require a “Coming Soon” rider while in Coming Soon status.
• The “Active on MLS” date field appears after Coming Soon status is selected. 
  • The Active on MLS date appears at the top right corner of the MLS reports, but only while the listing is in Coming Soon status.

• The Coming Soon status can be converted to Active status sooner (using “End Coming Soon” button.)
  • The “End Coming Soon” button converts the Coming Soon listing to Active immediately.
  • If “End Coming Soon” is used, it is recommended that time should be allowed for Subscription Auto-email notifications to be sent prior to showings.
  • Listings cannot be placed back into Coming Soon status after it has been made Active.
  • If showings are not available for an active property, the property must be made “Temp Off Market” (unless Curb Offers Only is indicated)
• The Active on MLS date can be moved further into the future.
  • Coming Soon status can be used for a maximum of 30 days from Listing Entry (List) Date.
• Days on Market do not accumulate during the Coming Soon period.
• Advertising is allowed.
• Showings of any kind are not permitted before the Active on MLS date.
  • This includes buyer inspections.
• Coming Soon status listings will be included in Subscription Auto-emails. (Listing email will be sent to clients.)
  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Agents must add Coming Soon status to the saved search in order for the Subscription email to include those listings.
• Showing Start Date is completely replaced and no longer visible after March 1, 2021.
  • The Delayed Showing Authorization form (for Showing Start Date) is no longer required.
• REMINDER:  Coming Soon status must be selected at time of listing entry if showings are to be delayed.

20200305 rev. 0

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03/05/2021