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.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:

New listings:

• Coming Soon must be used if showings will be delayed (until the Active on MLS date).
  • Delayed showings are prohibited for Active listings.
• Coming Soon status must be selected at time of entry. It cannot be selected after the listing is entered.
• The “Active on MLS” date field appears after Coming Soon status is selected. 
• The Active on MLS date is the date upon which showings will begin.
• Showing Start Date has been hidden on the MLS Add/Edit screen.  Use Coming Soon/Active on MLS date instead.

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

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.
  • Showing Start Date cannot be moved to an earlier date.
  • If “End Coming Soon” button is used, it is recommended that that time should be allowed for Subscription Auto-email notifications to be sent prior to showings.

GOING FORWARD FROM MARCH 1, 2021:

• Coming Soon 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 Active on MLS date can be moved earlier (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.
• REMINDER:  Coming Soon status must be selected at time of listing entry if showings are to be delayed.

20200210 rev. 1

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02/26/2021

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

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

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

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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Sections 1.18 and 1.19 (below) were added to the MLS Rules & Regulations in July by action of the MLS Board of Directors.

SECTION 1.18 TEMPORARY OFF MARKET PROPERTIES:

a. No showings while in the status of “Temporary Off Market”
b. Written direction from the seller must be obtained to return the listing to “Active Status”
c. It is recommended that the sign should remain on the property during the “Temporary Off Market” status
(Adopted 7/20)

SECTION 1.19 MARKETING OF A PROPERTY WITHOUT A LISTING AGREEMENT:
Seller’s consent must be obtained in writing prior to marketing and/or signage being placed on the property. (Ohio law does not require a listing agreement to advertise a property, however, you must have seller’s consent to market the property.)
a. Any marketing of said property must include the disclaimer “no listing contract”.
(Adopted 7/20)

Original Post 20200814

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08/14/2020

Do you need to report a Clear Cooperation Policy Violation?

Call: (614) 528-1135

Email: mlspolicy@columbusrealtors.com

The MLS Policy Violation Hotline can be used to report a Clear Cooperation Policy violation or any other MLS violation. Contact information is requested but is not required. You may submit the violation report anonymously. The voicemail recording will explain what is needed to report a violation. 

Violations may also be reported by email. Additional details in the form of PDFs, photos, and screenshots are extremely helpful and can be sent to mlspolicy@columbusrealtors.com. 

The name of the person reporting the violation will not be disclosed whether it is reported to the hotline, email, or both.

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07/14/2020