Troubleshooting, Enhancing
& Ever-Changing Times
Chris Reese, Chair
MLS Committee
This has to be one of most complex committees of the Board. We have had several key issues to focus on this year: The first and one of the most important was the implementation, troubleshooting, and enhancement of our new CBR TEMPO system. We are also studying Virtual Office Websites (VOW's), Internet Data Exchange (IDX), MarketLinx Mapping, Limited Service Brokers, ways to download MLS onto a laptop, third party access to our data, our income and expenses, and the list goes on… The following shows where we currently stand on some of these issues:
Third Party Access to MLS
We have many requests for third party access to our CBR TEMPO system. Companies that work for our licensed members, including Top Producer, SOAR, Pocket Real Estate, do have access to our MLS data for the purpose of making special real estate specific software available. These vendors must abide by our MLS Rules and Regulations and NAR guidelines and sign our confidentiality agreement, protecting our data from unauthorized use. Our committee must approve any such request. We are currently looking into making available software products that would enable us to download all or part of CBR Tempo on portable computers (PDAs).
Dual or Variable Rate Commission
In abiding with NAR's rules, we must disclose on the listing if we have a variable rate commission. That is, if the seller/landlord agrees to pay one commission to the listing broker if the sale/lease is made through the listing broker, and a different commission is paid if a sale/lease is made through a co-operating broker. This disclosure must be made by adding an asterisk (*) in the sub-agency fee section of our listing agreements. If an inquiry is made to the listing broker from a potential cooperating broker, he must disclose that difference to the potential cooperating broker. If the cooperating broker is a buyer/tenant representative, he must disclose such information to his client before an offer to purchase or lease is made.
VOW's & IDX
A Virtual Office Website, (VOW), might be seen as the on-line equivalent of a member's bricks and mortar office except that business is conducted over the Internet. The potential clients enter the VOW website and can see the member's real estate office on-line, including the listings as they appear in the CBR Tempo system. This is the same as a potential client coming into your office and sitting down to browse through the MLS book or view listing information on the computer with you, except that the VOW is on-line. We are working with our board's attorney and a special task force to create regulations for these VOW sites. NAR is also in the process of creating model regulations. Internet Date Exchange (IDX) is what we currently have in place where any broker can display another broker's listings on their personal website. The significant difference here is that only a portion of the CBR Tempo data is displayed via an IDX agreement. Further, brokers may choose to “opt out” of having their listings on another's broker's website. (Once they “opt-out” of any broker's site, they automatically opt out of every broker's website.) However, MLS brokers may not be permitted to ‘opt out' of a VOW.
Limited Representation/Exclusive agency listings
Our MLS Policy requires us to accept legal exclusive right-to-sell or exclusive agency listings that offer compensation to cooperating brokers. Currently you must check ‘yes' or ‘no' to exclusive agency on the listing form to disclose what type of listing you have. However, this year we are seeing a number of limited representation brokers who offer their seller little or no property marketing services other than submitting the listing to MLS. Sometimes the cooperating agent is asked to call the seller directly to set up the showing, or even to negotiate the contract. In some cases, the seller even pays the fee directly to the cooperating broker. The question arises…when does a cooperating broker need to know if a limited service situation exits, and to what degree? A special committee was assigned to address this issue and how best to disclose it clearly on the listing. Our board attorney sent a letter to the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing and we are awaiting their feedback. We will keep you apprised.
CBR Tempo & the Many Enhancements
It took a while to work out the kinks, but….How do you like it now? Personally, I love it, and it keeps getting better! We are trying to keep you informed of the enhancements as they are made on the welcome screen. All of our MLS forms are available on our CBR website to be downloaded, so you don't have to wait for them to be delivered or have to pick them up. There are many changes coming, including the development of a new listing data sheet. We are also in the process of developing several new features, such as: directions, patio home search, condo fee inclusions, additional amenities, enhancing the mapping system, etc. We would like your feedback on what else you would like to see added.
For more information on CBR Tempo...
Please make use of emailing tech support if you have any questions. Many of the questions are just system-use questions. I highly recommend taking all of the CBR TEMPO classes — especially the advanced class — to learn how to fully utilize all the features and functions available for you.
We are discovering a whole new technical way of communication through email to our clients, and showing them houses before they SEE them.
Yes, this is an EVER-CHANGING industry, and just when we thought we had it figured it out…….it changes! Happy Selling.
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