Please note: this article is a snapshot of a message that was posted on the MLS system at some point within the last year. Things evolve rapidly in our industry, and the information in this article may have changed since it was first published. Compliance Corner articles are not updated after they are published, even if the information contained within has changed.
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Compliance Corner #42
August 30, 2021
REMARKS
It’s what everyone is talking about.
In an effort to ensure the data displayed in Matrix conforms with our Rules and Regulations, Connecticut Licensing Law and Fair Housing guidelines, our Data Checker program flags any word that appears on a list of possible non-compliant words. This list consists of hundreds of words. Our Compliance Team manually reads through all flagged words to determine the context in which the flagged word(s) are used to ascertain whether it is compliant or not. As you can imagine, this can be VERY time consuming. There are several recurring words/phrases that are used by agents that are never allowed and always must be removed.
Data entered in the PUBLIC REMARKS/ADDENDUM should pertain to the PROPERTY while information in the AGENT REMARKS should be reserved for TRANSACTIONAL and BROKER SENSTIVE in nature.
To avoid receiving a Data Checker request to remove one or more of these words, it would be helpful to both agents and MLS Staff if you can familiarize yourselves with and refrain from using, the following:
COMBO - For security reasons, you can NEVER display the combination to a combo lockbox anywhere on the listing. The word COMBO is OK, displaying the actual code/combination if Never OK.
OPEN HOUSE - Having Open House info in the Addendum/Public Remarks fields is not permitted. Open Houses should be entered through the Tour/Open House function or noted in the Agent Remarks. Additionally, showing information should appear in the Agent Remarks or SHOWING INSTRUCTIONS fields only.
CONTACT INFO - no contact info can be displayed in the Public Remarks or the Addendum, as these fields are displayed to the public.
AUCTION INFO - It is permissible to mention that there is/will be an auction sale in the Public Remarks/Addendum provided it includes no details that could lead potential buyers to participate directly, it does not exclude buyers agents and offers will be entertained prior to the auction date.
SECTION 8 - There can be no mention of Section 8, positive or negative, as it is a Fair Housing violation.
NO BROKER SENSITIVE INFO is allowed in the Public Remarks or Addendum. Only info relevant to, describing or marketing the property is allowed.
NO BRANDED VIRTUAL TOURS or WEBSITE URLS are allowed in the Public Remarks or Addendum fields.
And the #1 most time consuming word is: CALL
Hundreds of listings each day are flagged for containing the word CALL in one or more of the Public fields (Addendum or Public Remarks). Please try not to say CALL ME to SHOW, CALL LISTING AGENT/BROKER For….., CALL (Agent name) for a Private Showing, Call Today, what a great place to CALL home, etc.
As always, please feel free to contact the Compliance Team for additional information.
Send an email to Compliance@SmartMLS.com or call us at 203-750-6000
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