KEEPING POSTED June 2020
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR THE SAN ANTONIO AREA REALTORS ®
Private Listings and Clear Cooperation Policy NAR’s Clear Cooperation Policy, which went into effect on May 1st, requires that within one business day of marketing a listing to the public, the listing broker must submit the listing to the MLS for cooperation with other MLS participants. With the need to implement this policy locally in a way that makes sense for our unique market, we have been working diligently with our MLS Committee as well as with a work group of SABOR members representing a cross-section of backgrounds and practice areas. The result of these efforts is the development of specific enhancements to connectMLS including a new Private Listing Database. This database is in the final stages of development and will soon be available. What is the Private Listing Database (PLD)? The Private Listing Database, housed inside of connectMLS, is a separate database of listings with modified requirements that allow you to enter private listings and comply with MLS rules while limiting distribution. It will have fewer and different fields to be completed in order for the listing to be placed in the MLS. This database will be accessible by all MLS Participants and have a quick entry format so you can input a listing in just three minutes. There are no time frame requirements for how long a listing can remain in the PLD, and no photo requirement. Listings in the PLD are excluded from data feeds as well. Visit www.sabor.com/ccp to view a comparison between requirements for General and Private listings.
hen should I use the Private Listing Database? W In most cases, you may use the Private Listing Database to input a listing that may need more preparation, but public marketing has already begun. For example, the home may still need professional photography or a coat of paint, but a sign is already in the yard. You may also need to keep a listing off MLS to satisfy seller requests for privacy. The Private Listing Database will allow for listings like these to be input into the MLS. When will the Private Listing Database be available? These enhancements are in the final stages of development, with a target date for rollout this summer. What happens if I do not comply? For the remainder of 2020, SABOR’s Board of Directors has chosen to implement this policy in a way that prioritizes education over penalty meaning we will work with you to bring your listing into compliance rather than penalizing you. However, penalties will begin in 2021. Why create a Private Listing Database? The goal of the Clear Cooperation Policy is to keep the marketplace reliable, efficient and effective for REALTORS® and their clients. The PLD will allow members to remain in compliance with the policy while still honoring seller requests for privacy. It will also ensure access to housing remains fair and equitable, an essential component of ethical service to consumers.
How can I learn more? What happens to a listing placed in the Private Listing Database? Education is a critical component of launching the Private Listing A listing in the Private Listing Database allows agents to see it, but it will Database and will include training and other resources. not be made public to consumers. It will not accumulate Days on Market, Visit www.sabor.com/ccp to access Frequently Asked Questions as well and it does not have the option for client reports or email reports to clients. as a comprehensive breakdown of what implementation looks like for It also will not have links built in for tax or ShowingTime functionality. SABOR MLS Subscribers.
Legal & Ethics
Conducting Business in the Era of COVID-19 After weeks of operation restrictions, the Texas economy has begun the process of reopening. One thing that many REALTORS® have noticed within SABOR’s jurisdiction is that the business of real estate and housing has never really been closed. Now that the economy seems to be reopening, how should you respond? The first thing to realize is that COVID-19 is not gone. What does this mean for your business in the coming months and into the future? Here are are three suggestions to help you conduct business in this new COVID-19 era. 1. Distance. It looks like distancing will be part of our lives going into the future. Be aware of distancing at your offices and with your clients. This means that you probably need to look at how the seating is arranged in your office lobby. Placing at least 6 feet of distance between clients and staff is probably going to be the way of doing business for the foreseeable future. You may also want to look how you and your employees use your employee breakrooms and other common areas of your office. Additionally, utilization of virtual solutions for open houses and tours are here to stay—become familiar with these (perhaps new to you) tools and how they can help you do your business.
2. Disinfect. You may have disinfected your listings more in the past couple of months than ever before. If not already, this should become a regular part of your life. You should disinfect all common areas that you and your clients frequent. This includes common areas within your offices as well as your listings and the listings that you and your clients visit. 3. Discussion. People are concerned about COVID-19 and interacting with others. Some employees may not feel comfortable with interacting with clients and other employees the same way that they did pre-COVID. Some sellers may want to limit showings, tours, or open houses. Some buyers may not want to physically go to look at homes or ride in your car to a showing, or you may not feel comfortable driving clients to showings. Some clients may not even want to come to your office to meet. Some tenants may not want to have strangers walking through the house that they are occupying. In this COVID/post-COVID world, it is important (perhaps more now than ever) that you keep the lines of communication open. You should have open discussions with your employees, clients, tenants, and agents or brokers about best practices on how to interact with each other in this COVID world.