Change -- MLS Fines will NOT be issued for Incorrect/Missing Map Grid or Page Numbers
Based on feedback from members, listings with incorrect or missing map grids or page numbers will not be a fineable offense beginning April 1. It was noted that not all members have a map atlas, new subdivisions are not identified and not all properties have map grids or pages. In addition, technology now offers better options for locating the property. The MLS Committee will look into adding an auto populating feature for these details. Also -- a new map book is on the horizon -- probably late 2006 or early 2007.
MLS Fines begin April 1
The decision to implement a system of fines was made in October of 2005 and has been publicized in every issue of your In Contract magazine, on the MLS Welcome screen, the CBR web site and discussed in just about every member gathering.
In an effort to educate members, warnings were issued for all known violations beginning January 1, 2006 and continued through March. And now the date has arrived and MLS will begin issuing actual fines on April 1, 2006.
As you have been made aware, the issuing of fines for MLS policy violations was deemed necessary to ensure the accuracy of the data for its users. It is not our intent or desire to be punitive with these actions. Please believe we would like nothing better than to report later that there was no income derived from MLS fines. Help us to achieve that goal by reporting your listing data accurately and timely per the MLS policies.
The MLS Rules & Regulations and Policies and MLS Fines List can be found on ColumbusRealtors.com under Multiple Listing Service > Reference Materials.
No more MLS Books as of April 30!
Price increases have been reported regularly for MLS books over the last few years as, with technological advances and internet access, more and more members have given up their MLS book subscriptions. Although drastic efforts have been made to reduce the book size so as to keep it reasonable priced for remaining subscribers, the cost to print so few books had escalated beyond what any member could justify as reasonable. In March, the number of subscribers had dwindled to 95 making the cost of the residential book $60!
For this reason, we sadly report that both the residential and commercial MLS books will be discontinued as of April 30, 2006. If you wish to purchase the last copies of the MLS book, please place your order by Friday, March 31 as some members believe these last issues will someday be collector's items. .
Attention current book subscribers:
Learn How to Print Your Own Book Pages and Get Instant CMA's from Tempo
The MLS Department will offer a special Introduction to the CBR Tempo MLS system for all current book subscribers on Thursday, May 11, 2006 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the CBR Computer Lab. The class will highlight the web-based search and printable report features of the CBR Tempo system to members who have relied on the book for their listing look-ups and CMA research. Starting with basic log-in procedure, the class will cover searching for and emailing listings to clients, MLS number search and archive search. You will also learn how to print reports including the CMA reports and Book Page/Comp reports that emulate the modular 6-up format of a book page.
All current book subscribers who are unfamiliar with the Tempo MLS system or who would like to learn more about the printable reports from the internet-based MLS system are encouraged to attend.
Auction Properties: ACTIVE versus AUCTION Status
A review of auction properties appearing in MLS showed that 86 percent of the listings showed ACTIVE status instead of AUCTION status. The AUCTION status was created to separate properties with ZERO list price from skewing ACTIVE statistical data in an area.
As property expected to go to auction can sometimes sell prior to the scheduled auction, ACTIVE status is permitted if the remarks include SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE. Otherwise the status should be AUCTION. MLS staff has been authorized to correct these situations if found.
School District is a mandatory field -- even for HUD Properties
Members have reported that HUD property listings and appraisal reports do not always include the accurate school district. Although making this determination can be challenging, school district is a mandatory field and required for all listings -- including HUD properties. Using `Ada Ex' when unsure is not acceptable since it's an actual school district and not a default selection.
Subdivision and Community entries
Identifying the specific subdivision and/or community (i.e. Clintonville or German Village) in which a property is located can be of great assistance to members with buyers looking for properties in particular areas. As not all properties are located in a subdivision or community, we cannot make this a mandatory field. However, to assist in keeping this information searchable, the MLS Committee will change the name of the MLS data field from SUBDIVISION/COMPLEX to SUBDIVISION/COMPLEX/COMMUNITY and urges members to use this field to enter first any identifiable subdivision, complex or community information. This change will take place with the next set of enhancements scheduled for summer 2006.
Crawford County assigned separate area
Currently Crawford County is part of the larger area known as OH2 that includes all unassigned Ohio counties East of RT 23 and North of I-70. Morrow County practitioners requested the creation of an area designation for Crawford County because:
n US 30 has moved 14 miles North of Mt. Gilead and has caused an increase in listings and the temptation to
place property in Morrow County instead of the larger area OH2.
n At least one real estate company in Crawford County belongs to the Columbus MLS while other
REALTORS® in Morrow and Marion counties extend their marketing area into Crawford County.
n The River Valley School system has built a new high school and elementary school and their district spans
Marion, Morrow and Crawford counties ?. Only Crawford County remains without its own area.
n It will serve to readily identify for potential Columbus commuters just how far north Crawford County is really
located.
n As of March 8, 2006, there were 234 listings (all statuses) on the CBR MLS TEMPO system in Crawford
County.
For these reasons, Crawford County has been assigned a separate area (CRA) and will no longer remain part of Area OH2. This change will take place with the next set of enhancements scheduled for summer 2006.
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