Rules Roundup for March 2022

Rules Roundup for March 2022

The Rules Roundup provides a monthly accounting of RMLS rules violations and courtesy notifications. Our Data Accuracy team manages all reports of property listing errors, tracking 34 specific issues outlined in the RMLS Rules and Regulations, and is responsible for addressing subscriber questions and concerns regarding listing accuracy whether those are submitted via the “Report Issue” button on a listing, through email, or by phone. When there are increases in specific violation types, we often place notifications on RMLSweb in order to alert subscribers so that they can avoid violations.

MARCH HIGHLIGHTS

As more houses begin to be put on the market it is important to keep in mind the rules regarding lockbox access and showings. Violating the lockbox and showing rules can have serious consequences which may include fines or even suspension from RMLS.

Rule 7.1 reads as follows:

The appointment for showing of listed property shall be arranged as indicated in the RMLS Listing Data Input Form.

a. A Cooperating Broker or Appraiser may use the lockbox access device to enter a listing whose status is Active, Bumpable or Short Sale Pending, only in accordance with the instructions on the RMLS Listing Data Input Form or in accordance with the express instructions of the Listing Broker or Owner.
b. A Cooperating Broker or Appraiser may use the lockbox access device to enter a listing whose status is other than Active, Bumpable or Short Sale Pending, only with the express permission of the Listing Broker or Owner.
c. A Listing Broker, Cooperating Broker or Appraiser may not use the lockbox access device to enter a listing whose status is Coming Soon-No Showing.
d. A property in Coming Soon-No Showing status cannot be shown.
e. If the Listing Broker’s representative is to accompany a Cooperating Broker on the showing of a listing, that requirement must be included in the RMLS Listing Data Input Form and the Listing Broker must have a representative available to accompany the showing at the convenience of the Owner and customer.
f. No Participant or Subscriber may require from a Cooperating Broker a prospective Purchaser’s address or telephone number.

Some tips to keep in mind:

  • Always follow the showing instructions and check the status of a listing prior to opening the lockbox, even if you checked before you left the office. It is better to take the extra step than to accidentally enter a pending listing.
  • Do not let your buyer have access to the listing before the agreed upon transfer of possession date. The seller is still the owner of the property until that time – your buyer may be excited to see the property, but until the transfer you should make an appointment with the Seller’s Agent to view the property. Utilizing the tools available and keeping the rule in mind will help to keep all parties safe and happy.
  • Prior to scheduling a showing, it’s important to double-check the listing for any special showing accommodation requests or notes from the seller(s) and/or Seller’s Agent.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, please reach out to Data Accuracy by emailing dataaccuracy@rmls.com or by phone at 503.395.1916.      

FORMAL VIOLATIONS

The RMLS Rules and Regulations Committee reviews all formal complaints which allege a violation of the RMLS Rules and Regulations. The committee has the power to impose sanctions.

The committee did not review any cases in March 2022.

INFORMAL VIOLATIONS & COURTESY NOTICES

In March 2022, the RMLS Data Accuracy staff reviewed 23,291 listings in addition to the 381 notices sent through the “Report Issue” button on RMLSweb. Of the items reviewed, 1,069 violation notices and 1,050 courtesy notices were sent out. In addition, our team handled 373 phone calls.

Category March
Missing Tax ID 439
Personal Promotion 145
Incorrect or Missing Information 131
Missing School 121
No Showings 82
Duplicate Listing 57
Incorrect Status 54
Incorrect First Photo 42
Missing Owner Name 36
Incorrect Property Type 36
Conditions to Compensation 29
Address Issues 23
Property Condition 20
Is Property a Condo 17
Listing Input in Incorrect MLS area 17
Missing Condo Unit Number 10
Inaccurate Lot Size 9
Partial Bathrooms 5+ 6
City Unknown 3
Duplicate Listing Sold in Different Categories 3
HUD 1

The following are the courtesy notifications sent to RMLS subscribers in March 2022:

Category March
Listing is Set to Expire 445
Multiple Owner Names in First Field 254
Listing Still Pending 200
Listing Status Changed from PEN to SLD >24 Hours 88
New Listing Input Over 24 Hours 51
Listing Status Change > 24 Hours 2

Questions about RMLS Rules and Regulations or the accuracy of specific listings can be directed to the RMLS Data Accuracy department at dataaccuracy@rmls.com or 503.395.1916.

Rules Roundup for March 2022

Rules Roundup for February 2022

The Rules Roundup provides a monthly accounting of RMLS rules violations and courtesy notifications. Our Data Accuracy team manages all reports of property listing errors, tracking 34 specific issues outlined in the RMLS Rules and Regulations, and is responsible for addressing subscriber questions and concerns regarding listing accuracy whether those are submitted via the “Report Issue” button on a listing, through email, or by phone. When there are increases in specific violation types, we often place notifications on RMLSweb in order to alert subscribers so that they can avoid violations.

 

FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS

As the weather gets warmer and business begins to heat up it is a good time to remind everyone that it is not okay to solicit listings that are under contract. Section 5.1.v of the Rules and Regulations states:

For solicitation of a listing under contract (i.e.: Active (ACT), Bumpable  Buyer (BMP), Short Sale Pending (SSP), Pending (PEN), Pending Lease Option (POP), Withdrawn (WTH), or Coming Soon‐No Showing (CSN)), a fine of up to Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500), in an amount to be determined by the RMLS Rules and Regulations Committee.

So, if you see a listing has cancelled or expired recently, check to make sure that it is has not been relisted by the Seller’s Agent. This will save everyone some frustration and allow you to focus on profitable activities.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, please reach out to Data Accuracy by emailing dataaccuracy@rmls.com or by phone at 503.395.1916.

FORMAL VIOLATIONS

The RMLS Rules and Regulations Committee reviews all formal complaints which allege a violation of the RMLS Rules and Regulations. The committee has the power to impose sanctions.

The committee did not review any cases in February 2022.

INFORMAL VIOLATIONS & COURTESY NOTICES

In February 2022, the RMLS Data Accuracy staff reviewed 26,175 listings in addition to the 381 notices sent through the “Report Issue” button on RMLSweb.

Of the items reviewed, 1,146 violation notices and 892 courtesy notices were sent out. In addition, our team handled 368 phone calls.

Category February
Missing Tax ID 430
Incorrect or Missing Information 119
Personal Promotion 94
Missing School 85
No Showings 66
Missing Owner Name 56
Duplicate Listing 50
Incorrect Status 39
Incorrect Property Type 38
Incorrect First Photo 32
Property Condition 29
Is Property a Condo 24
Listing Input in Incorrect MLS area 21
Inaccurate Lot Size 17
Partial Bathrooms 5+ 9
City Unknown 9
Address Issues 8
Conditions to Compensate 6
Duplicate Listing Sold in Different Categories 4
HUD 4
Missing Condo Unit Number 3
Listing not a Short Sale 2
Missing SQFT by Level 1

The following are the courtesy notifications sent to RMLS subscribers in February 2022:

Category February
Listing is Set to Expire 442
Multiple Owner Names in First Field 211
Listing Still Pending 191
New Listing Input Over 24 Hours 47
Listing Status Change Over 24 hours 1

Questions about RMLS Rules and Regulations or the accuracy of specific listings can be directed to the RMLS Data Accuracy department at dataaccuracy@rmls.com or 503.395.1916.

Rules Roundup for March 2022

Rules Roundup for January 2022

The Rules Roundup provides a monthly accounting of RMLS rules violations and courtesy notifications. Our Data Accuracy team manages all reports of property listing errors, tracking 34 specific issues outlined in the RMLS Rules and Regulations, and is responsible for addressing subscriber questions and concerns regarding listing accuracy whether those are submitted via the “Report Issue” button on a listing, through email, or by phone. When there are increases in specific violation types, we often place notifications on RMLSweb in order to alert subscribers so that they can avoid violations.

 

JANUARY HIGHLIGHTS

As the weather warms up and more houses begin to be put on the market it is important to keep in mind the rules regarding lockbox access and showings. Violating the lockbox and showing rules can have serious consequences which may include fines or even suspension from RMLS.

Rule 7.1 reads as follows:

The appointment for showing of listed property shall be arranged as indicated in the RMLS Listing Data Input Form.

a. A Cooperating Broker or Appraiser may use the lockbox access device to enter a listing whose status is Active, Bumpable or Short Sale Pending, only in accordance with the instructions on the RMLS Listing Data Input Form or in accordance with the express instructions of the Listing Broker or Owner.
b. A Cooperating Broker or Appraiser may use the lockbox access device to enter a listing whose status is other than Active, Bumpable or Short Sale Pending, only with the express permission of the Listing Broker or Owner.
c. A Listing Broker, Cooperating Broker or Appraiser may not use the lockbox access device to enter a listing whose status is Coming Soon-No Showing.
d. A property in Coming Soon-No Showing status cannot be shown.
e. If the Listing Broker’s representative is to accompany a Cooperating Broker on the showing of a listing, that requirement must be included in the RMLS Listing Data Input Form and the Listing Broker must have a representative available to accompany the showing at the convenience of the Owner and customer.
f. No Participant or Subscriber may require from a Cooperating Broker a prospective Purchaser’s address or telephone number.

Some tips to keep in mind:

  • Always follow the showing instructions and check the status of a listing prior to opening the lockbox, even if you checked before you left the office. It is better to take the extra step than to accidentally enter a pending listing.
  • Do not let your buyer have access to the listing before the agreed upon transfer of possession date. The seller is still the owner of the property until that time – your buyer may be excited to see the property, but until the transfer you should make an appointment with the Seller’s Agent to view the property. Utilizing the tools available and keeping the rule in mind will help to keep all parties safe and happy.
  • Prior to scheduling a showing, it’s important to double-check the listing for any special showing accommodation requests or notes from the seller(s) and/or Seller’s Agent.

FORMAL VIOLATIONS

The RMLS Rules and Regulations Committee reviews all formal complaints which allege a violation of the RMLS Rules and Regulations. The committee has the power to impose sanctions.

The committee did not review any cases in January 2022.

INFORMAL VIOLATIONS & COURTESY NOTICES

In January 2022, the RMLS Data Accuracy staff reviewed 23,291 listings in addition to the 381 notices sent through the “Report Issue” button on RMLSweb. Of the items reviewed, 1,069 violation notices and 1,050 courtesy notices were sent out. In addition, our team handled 373 phone calls.

Category January
Missing Tax ID 388
Incorrect or Missing Information 113
Missing School 84
Personal Promotion 80
Missing Owner Name 77
Duplicate Listing 71
No Showings 65
Incorrect Status 41
Property Condition 33
Incorrect First Photo 28
Incorrect Property Type 22
Conditions to Compensation 18
Is Property a Condo 14
Listing Input in Incorrect MLS area 9
Missing Condo Unit Number 8
Duplicate Listing Sold in Different Categories 7
HUD 6
Partial Bathrooms 5+ 1
Address Issues 1
Inaccurate Lot Size 1
City Unknown 1
Missing Photograph Omission Form 1

The following are the courtesy notifications sent to RMLS subscribers in January 2022:

Category January
Listing is Set to Expire 546
Listing Still Pending 332
Multiple Owner Names in First Field 144
New Listing Input Over 24 Hours 28

Questions about RMLS Rules and Regulations or the accuracy of specific listings can be directed to the RMLS Data Accuracy department at dataaccuracy@rmls.com or 503.395.1916.

Rules Roundup for March 2022

Rules Roundup for December 2021

The Rules Roundup provides a monthly accounting of RMLS rules violations and courtesy notifications. Our Data Accuracy team manages all reports of property listing errors, tracking 34 specific issues outlined in the RMLS Rules and Regulations, and is responsible for addressing subscriber questions and concerns regarding listing accuracy whether those are submitted via the “Report Issue” button on a listing, through email, or by phone. When there are increases in specific violation types, we often place notifications on RMLSweb in order to alert subscribers so that they can avoid violations.

DECEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

A new year means new listing numbers and often the ‘refreshing’ of listings in order to get a new listing number. If you represent sellers, please let them know that if they ‘refresh,’ they could receive solicitation phone calls from other REALTORSⓇ aiming to represent their property.

Conversely, if you are planning to solicit business from sellers who have had a listing cancel or expire, please double-check that the property has not been relisted before contacting them. Solicitation of a listing that is under contract (i.e., Active (ACT), Bumpable Buyer (BMP), Short Sale Pending (SSP), Pending (PEN), Pending Lease Option (POP), Withdrawn (WTH), or Coming Soon-No Showing (CSN) statuses) can result in a fine of up to $2,500.00, in an amount to be determined by the RMLS Rules and Regulations Committee.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, please reach out to Data Accuracy by emailing dataaccuracy@rmls.com or by phone at 503.395.1916.      

FORMAL VIOLATIONS

The RMLS Rules and Regulations Committee reviews all formal complaints which allege a violation of the RMLS Rules and Regulations. The committee has the power to impose sanctions.

The committee did not review any cases in December 2021.

INFORMAL VIOLATIONS & COURTESY NOTICES

In December 2021, the RMLS Data Accuracy staff reviewed 17,605 listings in addition to the 295 notices sent through the “Report Issue” button on RMLSweb. Of the items reviewed, 925 violation notices and 1,515 courtesy notices were sent out. In addition, our team handled 291 phone calls.

CategoryDecember
Missing Tax ID366
Incorrect or Missing Information87
Personal Promotion82
No Showings66
Missing School61
Incorrect Status50
Missing Owner Name38
Property Condition33
Duplicate Listing30
Incorrect First Photo25
Incorrect Property Type 24
Is Property a Condo16
Listing Input in Incorrect MLS area11
HUD 9
Conditions to Compensation7
Partial Bathrooms 5+ 6
Duplicate Listing Sold in Different Categories5
Address Issues 5
Missing Condo Unit Number4
Inaccurate Lot Size3
City Unknown 2
Missing SQFT by Level1

The following are the courtesy notifications sent to RMLS subscribers in Decemberr 2021:

CategoryDecember
Listing is Set to Expire1152
Listing Still Pending248
Multiple Owner Names in First Field92
New Listing Input Over 24 Hours23

Questions about RMLS Rules and Regulations or the accuracy of specific listings can be directed to the RMLS Data Accuracy department at dataaccuracy@rmls.com or 503.395.1916.

Rules Roundup for November 2021

Rules Roundup for November 2021

The Rules Roundup provides a monthly accounting of RMLS rules violations and courtesy notifications. Our Data Accuracy team manages all reports of property listing errors, tracking 34 specific issues outlined in the RMLS Rules and Regulations, and is responsible for addressing subscriber questions and concerns regarding listing accuracy whether those are submitted via the “Report Issue” button on a listing, through email, or by phone. When there are increases in specific violation types, we often place notifications on RMLSweb in order to alert subscribers so that they can avoid violations.

NOVEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

One of our most common rule violations is for failing to follow showing instructions on a listing. Please, remember to check the showing instructions prior to entering a property that is listed in the RMLS system. Even if you checked the listing the day before, in the current fast-paced market changes can come swiftly. If there are any questions about the instructions, please reach out to the Seller’s Agent. If you are the Seller’s Agent and the instructions need to be changed, please do so as soon as is practical to avoid any confusion.

If you have any questions or need any assistance, please reach out to Data Accuracy at dataaccuracy@rmls.com or 503-395-1916.

FORMAL VIOLATIONS

The RMLS Rules and Regulations Committee reviews all formal complaints which allege a violation of the RMLS Rules and Regulations. The committee has the power to impose sanctions.

The committee did not review any cases in November 2021.

INFORMAL VIOLATIONS & COURTESY NOTICES

In November 2021, the RMLS Data Accuracy staff reviewed 21,664 listings in addition to the 331 notices sent through the “Report Issue” button on RMLSweb. Of the items reviewed, 1,102 violation notices and 1,054 courtesy notices were sent out. In addition, our team handled 297 phone calls.

Category November
Missing Tax ID 437
Personal Promotion 109
Incorrect or Missing Information 96
Missing School 72
Incorrect Status 51
Incorrect Property Type 50
Duplicate Listing 47
No Showings 41
Conditions to Compensation 40
Property Condition 39
Missing Owner Name 39
Is Property a Condo 16
Listing Input in Incorrect MLS area 11
Incorrect First Photo 11
Inaccurate Lot Size 9
Missing Condo Unit Number 9
Address Issues 8
Partial Bathrooms 5+ 5
Duplicate Listing Sold in Different Categories 5
City Unknown 3
HUD 2
Missing SQFT by Level 2

The following are the courtesy notifications sent to RMLS subscribers in November 2021:

Category November
Listing is Set to Expire 610
Listing Still Pending 258
Multiple Owner Names in First Field 161
New Listing Input Over 24 Hours 25

Questions about RMLS Rules and Regulations or the accuracy of specific listings can be directed to the RMLS Data Accuracy department at dataaccuracy@rmls.com or 503.395.1916.