The MLS Committee and Board of Directors have adopted a number of new policies for the MLS and rolled out a few updates. The new policies will take effect on January 3, 2024 unless otherwise noted.
Here's a look at the new policies:
Farm Listings
A property can only be listed as a Farm if it meets the requirements of what a Farm listing is in the MLS. This includes, but is not limited to, having a house on the property. If the MLS staff determines a listing does not fit the MLS requirements to list this as a Farm in the MLS, we will recommended that agent list it on websites that specialize in “Equestrian” or “Commercial” listings where clients would be searching for properties like the subject property in question.
Broadcast Messaging Service
Available now: There is a new, Optional, "Broadcast Messaging Service" for Brokers in the Showing Time product. The service can be used to send messages of any kind but is especially useful for mass announcements. When a broadcast message is sent, the ShowingTime system will notify each recipient, based on their preferred way of communication.
How to use broadcast messaging
Primary Parcel ID
The Parcel ID field in Matrix will now be called "Primary Parcel ID". Instructions on how to enter multiple parcels will be found in the information section next to the field in Matrix. Those instructions will state that when entering a listing, the Primary parcel ID will be entered in Parcel ID, and any additional parcels in the listing should be entered in the Property Description or Agent Remarks.
Falsification Policy
The MLS committee will review listings that may have violated the falsification rule prior to a violation notice being sent to the listing agent.
MLS rules regarding the Falsification Policy state:
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For recklessly and purposely falsifying information in the MLS; the perpetrator of such act shall be suspended from the MLS for a period of no less than 30 days and receive a fine in the amount of $500.00.
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Example: It is a violation to list a property for sale in the MLS without a valid listing agreement or to mark a listed property as sold in the MLS when it did not actually sell.
Updated Forms
Available now: Updated versions of the MLS Property Validation Form and the MLS Delayed Entry Form.
Staff-requested MLS Documentation
MLS staff may request paperwork to validate listing information. The listing agent/broker will have 72 hours to provide requested paperwork, and failure to submit requested documentation will result in the subscribers account being assessed a fine in the amount of $100 and can result in the suspect listing being removed from the MLS compilation. Fine will be added to the MLS Fine schedule.
55+ Community Option
Available now: An option for 55+ community has been added as a Yes or No field called “55+ Community Y/N” under the miscellaneous tab right next to the “Homestead Exemption Y/N” field. The additional “55+ community Y/N” field shall be a searchable field available to the Residential Property type, and this will also include Rentals.
Staff-Entered Listing Policy
The price to have MLS staff enter a listing into the MLS “staff-entered MLS Listing" is now $100 (including tax).
Open House Type
When the listing has an active Open House, the Open House type (public or broker) is now a required field.
Watermark Policy
Available now: A new MLS logo/watermark has been approved and is available for download. This logo/watermark overlay can be used on photos prior to uploading them to the MLS. This was developed to cut down on illegal use of photos from listings being copied from the MLS.
Only the MLS-approved logo, which is available for download in the Tools section of the Links tab in the MLS, may be used by a listing agent to overlay their photos before uploading the photos to listings in the MLS. The agents can do this if they are concerned their photos could be used by criminals in some type of rental scam.
