Top 5 Violations for January 2007

Friday 16 February 2007


Here are the top five listing violations for January with tips on how to avoid fines on these hot topics. Follow the links for past ezine articles for more information:

  1. Tax ID's: Still topping our list, Tax ID violations are easy to avoid if you use the "Tax Autopop" feature. Once you click "Tax Autopop," select the county, and enter the basic property address (Example: "1330 Lee" --do not include "Ave", "Blvd", "Road"). When the "Use This Record for Auto Pop" window comes up on the bottom left, select the property and click the green arrow. This automatically populates key fields into the listing from Public Records, including a properly formatted Tax ID. (For new construction or condo conversions enter the full address including unit # in the address field).
  2. Missing Photos: Every listing except vacant land must have at least one frontal exterior photo or rendering, and it must be loaded within 7 business days from the listing date. Make sure this photo occupies the first listing's 1st photo slot in MLXchange.
  3. Compensation Errors: All compensation must be represented as a percent and or a dollar sign. Examples: 3%, or 3% - $200, or $1500.
  4. Contact Info in Remarks: Public Remarks, Additional Remarks and Driving Remarks must not contain any contact numbers, names, or web addresses. Put it in "Realtor Only Remarks." (Click link for more info)
  5. Virtual Tours: Company logos, agent photos, commissions, bonuses or contact information are not permitted in the photo or virtual tour section. The virtual tour, main photo, and other "views" may contain only a property photo, site plot, property sketch, property line art, or survey. Virtual Tour contact information is the only contact information allowed on the Virtual Tours.

Who's Receiving Fines?

95% were "first-time offenders," and we anticipate our new Listing Maintenance class will help eliminate many of these first-time listing errors.

What is being done to help eliminate errors and fines?

Education is key. Our big push in 2007 is to give you’re the resources you need to get the most from your MLS, and to help you avoid fines. Twice a month, this e-zine contains helpful advice on how to avoid the top listing violations; our Education e-zine lets you know how to sign up for free classes; and the MFR staff continues to make frequent courtesy calls to offer assistance to those who don't correct violations in a timely manner.

How is the Subscriber Education Program Working?

277 Subscribers attended the new Listing Maintenance classes in January. Many attendees were long time members who came to brush up their skills. Other attendees had recently received fines, and they were able to apply the $50.00 offered for taking the class to the amount they owed. (If you receive a fine after 1/1/2007, you can take the Listing Maintenance class to lessen your fine by $50; however, it does not mean you can take the class today and "bank" $50.00 to your account as a credit toward a future fines or subscription fees.)