MLS technician Dustin Graeber weighs in on the three most common automatic violations!
1. Prohibited information in Public Remark or Directions
Any phone numbers, email addresses, or web URLs that appear in the ‘Public Remarks’ or ‘Directions’ fields will be automatically flagged.
2. Listing Pending Over 60 Days
While this is an automatic flag, it could potentially be coupled with the manual violation Failure to enter sold status within (2) BUS days of closing. We do understand that many listings take longer than 60 days to close, especially when there is a contract dispute; or in the event that a commercial property is sold. However, the onus of communicating a delayed closing timeline to the MLS should fall on the Listing Agent or his/her broker.
3. Potential Fair Housing Violation
3. Potential Fair Housing Violation
The third most common automatic violation could technically be considered number one, if we were counting sheer instances where LDC flagged a listing. However, Potential Fair Housing Violation is highly subjective in that context must be taken into account when considering whether or not the flagged words or phrases in the listing actually violate federal fair housing laws.
Thus far, the next three are the most commonly seen agent reported violations. These are reported by other MLS members. If the violation can be confirmed by the MLS team, it will be processed and the Listing Agent / Broker will receive the corresponding notification(s). If the violation has either already been corrected by the time MLS Compliance views the listing, or there was not actually a violation to begin with, the reported violation is recorded as ‘Invalid’. A note on why the Report-It is deemed invalid is then sent to the reporting member.
1. Sign Visible in Media. This usually refers to a sign in a photo, but can also include virtual tours, or any other media included in the listing. The MLS confirms the existence of a photo in the listing’s photos / virtual tour before processing the violation manually.
2. Failure to enter sold status within (2) BUS days of closing
Thus far, the next three are the most commonly seen agent reported violations. These are reported by other MLS members. If the violation can be confirmed by the MLS team, it will be processed and the Listing Agent / Broker will receive the corresponding notification(s). If the violation has either already been corrected by the time MLS Compliance views the listing, or there was not actually a violation to begin with, the reported violation is recorded as ‘Invalid’. A note on why the Report-It is deemed invalid is then sent to the reporting member.
1. Sign Visible in Media. This usually refers to a sign in a photo, but can also include virtual tours, or any other media included in the listing. The MLS confirms the existence of a photo in the listing’s photos / virtual tour before processing the violation manually.
2. Failure to enter sold status within (2) BUS days of closing
Since LDC does not have any way of knowing whether or not a listing has closed, the MLS relies heavily on reporting from its members when a listing has not been changed to ‘Sold’ in the system within the allotted two (2) business days. Depending how much time has passed since the alleged closing, the MLS can verify a closing using Realist Tax before processing the violation manually.
3. Failure to Complete All Required Fields Correctly
3. Failure to Complete All Required Fields Correctly
This particular violation has many possibilities in terms of what the reporting member is actually referring to, since there are so many required input fields on a listing. Similar to number two, LDC can only validate whether or not the information has been entered in the correct format, and cannot check for the accuracy of the information. This means that the MLS again relies on reporting from its members to aid in the detection of inaccurate data.
We also see many Report-Its coming in for items that are not in violation of MLS Rules & Regulations. It should be made known to the members that this feature should be reserved only for direct violations of the rules. All ethics and business practice disputes should be communicated to leadership via an alternative channel.
We also see many Report-Its coming in for items that are not in violation of MLS Rules & Regulations. It should be made known to the members that this feature should be reserved only for direct violations of the rules. All ethics and business practice disputes should be communicated to leadership via an alternative channel.