Beginning August 1, 2017, listings that are in Under Contract/Pending status will now expire on their expiration date.  This policy change has been approved the MLS Committee and Board of Directors.  Previously, listings in Under Contract status would ignore the expiration date and remain in that status indefinitely.

Contingent Listings to Expire Also – Date TBA:

This same change will occur for Contingent listings in the coming weeks.  The change will occur on August 1st for Pending, but will take longer to program for the contingent listings.  Additional notice will be posted on this MLS Message Board when the date is finalized for contingent listings to begin expiring on their expiration date.

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06/29/2017

Beginning August 1, 2017, all photos uploaded to an MLS listing that do not show the property as it actually exist must be be labeled “Not Actual Property”.  Previously, only the primary photo was required to be watermarked “Not Actual Property”.  This policy change was made because it was determined that secondary photos could be equally misleading as to the condition of the property as the primary photo.

This new policy requirement will become enforced on August 1, 2017.  If a listing is found to have photos that are not the actual property, as it actually exists, a fine will be issued with no warning prior to assessment.  If any photo on a listing is a 3D rendering, sketch, model, etc., it must be marked “Not Actual Property” according to the requirements in the policies below.

Please begin updating your listings immediately. 

MLS Policies affected by this change:

1.03.04 – Improper Display of Photos Fine with No Warning
The primary (first) photo on a listing in MLS shall predominantly display only the property that is for sale, lease or exchange. If multiple photos are used as the primary photo in a collage format, collectively they must still predominately display the property for sale. The primary or any additional photos can display floor plans, staged photos, identical models, 3D renderings, artist renderings, etc. except for the following:
(1) Any Build-to-Suit listing whose primary (first) photo must display one of the MLS images provided. (Please see MLS Policy 1.01.07.)
(2) All images that are not images of the actual property are required to display, on that image, the words “Not Actual Property” in 36-point type or larger.
(3) Any image submitted for display in the MLS may not be modified in such a manner as to misrepresent the true condition, as it currently exists, of the actual property.

1.03.05 – Unallowable Data on Photos and Public Documents Fine with No Warning
No marketing devices of any type (e.g., logos, readable for sale signs, company names, phone numbers, Web sites, e-mail addresses including embedded, overlaid or digitally stamped information etc.) shall appear on or with any photos or public documents except for the following:
(1) Any listing with the MLS watermark “CR” must allow it to remain visible on the photo.
(2) Any Build-to-Suit listing whose primary (first) photo must display one of the MLS images provided.
(3) All images that are not images of the actual property are required to display, on that image, the words “Not Actual Property” in 36-point type or larger.
(4) An image may have text overlays added on primary and secondary photos provided it is descriptive or informative of the property and it is not misleading, branded or leads to branding, i.e., no agent or brokerage information.
(5) No people are permitted in the primary photo. People may appear in secondary photos.

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Beginning July 1, 2017,

the Accessibility Features worksheet will be required AND MUST BE ATTACHED to the listing when Yes is selected in the Accessible Features Y/N field. This requirement is for any property with Accessibility Features.  Previously, completion of the worksheet was required but the worksheet was not required to be uploaded with the listing.  Wording on the Add/edit screen help text will be updated to reflect that the form must now be uploaded to the listing in the MLS as an attached document.

Failure to upload/attach the Accessibility Features Worksheet will be a Tier 1 fine (with warning) if the field Accessibility Features Y/N = Yes but the form is not attached.  Please complete and upload the Accessibility Features worksheet to your existing listings or correct the selection in the Accessibility Features Y/N field if the property does not have Accessibility Features.

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06/05/2017

Effective June 1, 2017, there is a new MLS policy regarding photos that are virtually staged.  View the full text of the MLS policy below.  The MLS Policy Violation Manual has been updated to reflect this new policy.  You can download the latest version of the Policy Violation Manual here.

1.02.14 – Virtual Staging                                                                                                        

Fine with Warning prior to fine assessment.

Progression: Warning, then $100, $200, $500 for subsequent violations.

Virtual Staging is defined as using a photo editing software to create a photo or conceptual rendering of what the interior room(s) and/or interior of the property could look like if it was staged or lived in.

A Virtually Staged Photo in the MLS:

• Must state in a clear and reasonably sized font on the image the phrase “Virtually Staged”.
• The unaltered photo must appear directly before or after the virtually staged photo so the two views can easily be compared.
• May only be used for the interior of an existing structure.
• Cannot be used for Build-to-Suit or Under Construction properties.

Permitted Uses of Virtual Staging in the MLS:

• Modifying photo(s)/rendering(s) to include personal property items not conveyed with the real property is permitted. Permitted personal property modifications include, but are not limited to:
• Applying digital photos of furniture, mirrors, artwork, plants, etc. into a photo of a room.
• Removing existing furniture from a photo and replacing it with digital images of furniture, mirrors, artwork, plants, etc.
• Appliances that are virtually staged must be clearly identified as such in the property description.

Prohibited Uses of Virtual Staging in the Service:

• No photos of the exterior of the property shall be virtually staged.
• No permanent fixtures of the interior shall be removed, altered or added.
• Modifying photo(s)/rendering(s) to include visual elements not within a property owners control is strictly prohibited. (Example: Editing in a view of Lake Erie, and or popular landmarks that are not physically possible from the specified location in the real world.)
• Modifying photo(s)/rendering(s) to exclude negative visual elements is strictly prohibited. (Example: Holes in the wall, exposed wiring, damaged flooring, etc.)
• No branding is permitted. Except as otherwise permitted, the use of people or persons and/or words on any property photograph submitted to the Service is strictly prohibited.

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06/01/2017

The Commercial Exclusive Right to Sell Listing Contract has been modified in the same manner as the Residential Listing Contract was in February. The following text has been added at the end of the Section 6: Seller acknowledges that photos and/or videos may be taken of the property. It is the intent of the MLS committee that this change serve as notification to sellers that photos and videos may be taken for multiple purposes including marketing and comparison. They may be taken by various parties such as agents, inspectors, appraiser, and even prospective buyers.

These changes are now included in the latest version of the Commercial Exclusive Right to Sell Listing Contract. The version of the form can be identified by the revision date printed at the bottom of the form. The latest revision that includes this change will be labeled “5/17” at the bottom.

Full text of section 6:
6. SELLER’S COOPERATION: Owner hereby authorizes Brokerage to place a marketing sign on said property and remove all other “For Sale” and/or “For Lease” signs. Further, Owner authorizes Brokerage and all salespersons and Brokerages authorized by listing Brokerage to have access to the property at all reasonable times for the purpose of showing it. Seller acknowledges that photos and/or videos may be taken of the property.

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05/02/2017

Have you listed a mobile home in MLS?

You will need to change the Sub-Type for your mobile home listings to “Other Residential” as defined below if you haven’t already.  This change is required because there are new policies concerning how mobile homes are handled in the MLS.  Please read the new MLS requirements for mobile home listings below.

NOTE: If your mobile home listing has already closed, please email: mlscorrections@columbusrealtors.com  for assistance updating the Sub-Type for that listing.

For all listings of Mobile Homes entered into the MLS you must:
1) Select one of the two  “Other Residential” options in the Sub-Type field.
2) Mark “YES” in the Manufactured Housing Y/N field.

Previously, mobile homes could be entered as “single family freestanding” in Sub-Type.  This policy was changed as of February 2017. Selection of “YES” in the Manufactured Housing Y/N field will also cause six additional Manufactured Housing-specific fields to appear such as Make, Model, and Year.  There is help text on the Add/Edit screen that specifically states that all mobile homes must choose one of the “Other Residential” selections in the Sub-Type field.

Residential and Res Rental property types have two “Sub-Types” called “Other Residential”.  These Sub-Types must be used for any residential property deemed not “Single Family” or “Condo” by the MLS.

The 2 options for “Other Residential” in the Sub-Type field are:
1) Other Residential with Deeded Land
2) Other Residential without Deeded Land

In order for a listing to be entered as “Other Residential” the following criteria must be met:
a) The unit may not have been converted to real property.
b) The unit must be available as a full-time dwelling.
c) The unit must be located where human habitation is permitted year-round.
d) The unit may not be self-propelled nor titled as a vehicle.

NOTE: Units that do not meet these criteria (or criteria for another property type) cannot be listed
on the MLS.

Questions? Please feel free to contact the MLS department at (614) 475-4000 or email: mlspolicy@columbusrealtors.com

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04/21/2017

The Exclusive Right to Sell Listing Contract has been modified. The following text has been added at the end of the Section 6: Seller acknowledges that photos and/or videos may be taken of the property. It is the intent of the MLS committee that this change serve as notification to sellers that photos and videos may be taken for multiple purposes including marketing and comparison. They may be taken by various parties such as agents, inspectors, appraiser, and even prospective buyers.

These changes are included in the latest version of the Exclusive Right to Sell Listing Contract. The version of the form can be identified by the revision date printed at the bottom of the form. The latest revision that includes this change will be labeled “2/17”.

Full text of section 6:
6. SELLER’S COOPERATION: Brokerage is authorized to place a “For Sale” sign on the Property and to remove all other “For Sale” signs and to actively market the Property. Brokerage and all Brokerages and salespersons authorized by Brokerage shall have access to the property at all reasonable times for the purpose of showing it. Seller acknowledges that photos and/or videos may be taken of the property.

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02/23/2017

We frequently receive calls to the MLS inquiring whether an Office Exclusive Waiver form is on file for a particular property where signage is placed. Frequently there is no form on file and a warning or fine must be assessed to the agent named on the sign. MLS policy mandates that a listing must be submitted to MLS within 48 hours from the date the listing agreement is signed or an Office Exclusive Waiver form must be on file. If the 48-hour limit falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the listing or form must be submitted on the next business day.

Actual MLS Policy:
1.02.02 – Listing Not Submitted to MLS                                                                                   Fine with Warning

Warning, $100, $200, $500

Listings required in MLS but not to be displayed initially in MLS at the request of the seller shall be submitted to MLS within 48 hours from the date signed except weekends and federal holidays whereby the data is to be entered the following business day or the Office Exclusive Waiver Form found on CR’s web site at http://www.columbusrealtors.com shall be on file with the MLS.

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01/13/2017

There have recently been many reports of listings that were not closed in a timely manner.  MLS Policy mandates that a listing must be marked Sold in the MLS within 72 hours of the actual closing.  If the 72 hour limit falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the change must be made on the next business day.

Actual MLS Policy:
1.02.04 – Non-Reported Closing (Solds)                                                                                  Fine with Warning

Warning, $100, $200, $500

All sales closed must be entered within 72 hours from the actual closing/funding date except weekends and federal holidays whereby the closing information is to be entered the following business day except HUD listings that are to be updated within 72 hours of either (1) Asset Manager’s notice of closing or (2) the county auditor or Realist published sale information for the property.

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12/01/2016