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MLS RULE 11.5(b)

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For Sale

MLS RULE 11.5(b)  |  PHOTOS ON THE MLS

Each listing must include at least 1 front exterior photo or graphic image. It’s best to prepare all photos in advance and post them as soon as you input a new listing into MLS.

avoid compliance issues

Prepare your property photos in advance so they are ready to post when you input a new listing in the MLS.

marketing best practices

First impressions count. Give your listings the impact they deserve by posting photos immediately. This will help your fellow agents best market the property for a timely sale.

honor seller's wishes

The only time you do not need to post photos is (1) with the express written consent of property owners, and/or (2) with Business Opportunity and Lots and Land listings.

11.5 Photographs on the MLS.  a. By submitting photographs to the MLS, the participant and/or subscriber represents and warrants that he or she either owns the right to reproduce and display such photographs or has procured such rights from the appropriate party, and has the authority to grant and hereby grants the MLS and the other Participants and Subscribers the right to reproduce and display the photographs in accordance with these rules and regulations. Use of photographs by a subsequent listing agent requires prior written
authorization from the originating listing agent or other appropriate party with the legal right to reproduce and display such photographs. Except by the MLS for purposes of protecting its rights under Section 11.6, branding of photographs, virtual tours or any other photographic representation with any information or additional images, is prohibited. However, branded Media Links will be permitted in the Branded Media Link field for the sole purpose of transmittal to 3rd party vendors only. Upon notification to the Participant and/or Subscriber, MLS has the right to remove any photo found not to be in compliance with the MLS Rules. b. At least one (1) photo or graphic image of the front exterior of the property accurately displaying the listed property (except where sellers expressly direct in writing that photographs of their property not appear in MLS compilations) is required to be posted on the MLS upon submission of the listing in all categories other than business opportunity and Lots and Land. For violation of this section, see Appendix B, Citable Infractions.

| MLS RULES & REGULATIONS |

MLS RULES & REGULATIONS  >

CONTACT:

CCAR MLS Compliance Dept.
[email protected]

Contra Costa Association of Realtors logo

MLS RULES & REGS CHANGES

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CCAR MLS Rules & Regulations Changes

The following changes to the CCAR MLS Rules & Regulations are effective February 12, 2019. Changes have been authorized by the MLS Management Group (MMG) the joint CCAR and Bay East MLS committee.  For more information contact [email protected].

9.4 Presentation of Offers

The listing broker must make arrangements to present an offer as soon as possible or give the buyer a satisfactory reason for not doing so. If a seller/landlord has directed that offers are not to be presented for any length of time, seller’s direction authorizing such arrangement shall be in writing and listing broker shall provide clear and accurate notice of the date/time of presentation of offers as set forth in the written instructions to Participants and Subscribers in the confidential remarks of the MLS not withstanding seller’s right to accept offers at any time. In the event a listing broker will not be participating in the presentation of offers, the listing broker shall clearly indicate this fact in the listing information published by this service.

10.2 Reporting Sales...

The MLS Rules & Regulations section 10.2 – Reporting Sales ensures that the MLS database is accurate and improves public perception. CCAR MLS Participants and Subscribers are required to update listings to “PENDING” or “SOLD” within one (1) day, regardless of weekends.

The enforcement of the MLS Rules & Regulations helps minimize the number of times a member of the public will find an active listing on the internet that is already pending or sold.

12.5.2 Confidential Remarks

a. “For Comp Purposes Only” must appear in the first line of confidential remarks when a listing is entered for that purpose.

b. References to codes, burglar alarm, security system, gate codes, or combination lockbox codes may only be placed in the confidential remarks with seller’s written permission.

c. Caution: Title or escrow information may be entered in confidential remarks. However, participants and Subscribers should note that any verbiage which implies a requirement to use a specific title company or escrow service may be a violation of RESPA. You are advised to seek legal counsel for specific advice when using such verbiage.

d. Except for reciprocal listings, no reference may be made to licensees who are not Participants or Subscribers.

e. No reduction conditions on compensation offered through the MLS for items such as lender reductions of gross commission, short sale negotiator fee or other administrative costs of the transaction is allowed.

f. Agents that prefer to put in confidential remarks when offers will be presented must update any change in presentation date and time prior to twenty-four (24) hours of the new date and/or time of presentation. If a seller(s)/landlord(s) has directed that offers are not to be presented for any length of time, seller’s direction authorizing such arrangement shall be in writing and listing broker shall provide clear and accurate notice of the date/time of presentation of offers as set forth in the written instruction to Participants and Subscribers in the confidential remarks of the MLS not withstanding seller’s right to accept offers at any time.

g. If, for “commercial for lease properties” the compensation amount varies over time of the lease it must be specified in the Confidential Remarks in the MLS.

PARAGON ENHANCEMENTS

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New Features in Paragon 5

Driving Directions

Paragon driving directions have been revamped and are now generated in Google Maps. The new dialog redirects users to Google Maps via a new browser tab. Once in Google, the map is interactive and users can enjoy all of their favorite Google features.

Larger map in Print+ driving directions

When accessing driving directions from Print+ the map has been enlarged and destination letters representing listings  have been added to the step-by-step directions next to the associated listing addresses, enabling clients to easily identify listings.

Center Map on Address - Update

To enhance design consistency, colors on the drop-down menu have been reversed so the background is white and the address is gray.

CollabLink Share: Copy Link Functionality

A button that will copy the sharing URL to a user’s local device has been added for the CollabLink Share function. Users no longer need to manually highlight and copy the URL to their device. The Copy Link button will copy the CollabLink URL to the clipboard of the user’s device which can then be pasted where needed.

Real Safe Agent: Protect Yourself And Your Colleagues

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Strength in numbers

Protect yourself and your colleagues

Real Safe Agent Account Activation

Real Safe Agent has been deployed to more than 100,000 agents across the country. The system is based on the Collaborative Prevention Model, a behavior based crime prevention methodology developed by Lee Goldstein while working with serial sex offenders.

“This application is about preventing the crime from occurring, and the fact that there has never been an attack or attempted attack on an agent while using it speaks volumes,” said Goldstein.

CCAR is pleased to provide members with the latest in professional security: 

RealSafeAgent is easy to use and benefits agents, their clients and one-another through an interactive mobile application that puts professionals in touch around the clock. 

10 Tips for Holding a Safe Open House

Open houses can be a great sales tool—but hosting one also exposes you to numerous unfamiliar people for the first time. Take these steps to stay safe:

  1. If possible, always try to have at least one other person working with you at the open house.
  2. Check your cell phone’s strength and signal prior to the open house. Have emergency numbers programmed on speed dial.
  3. Upon entering a house for the first time, check all rooms and determine several “escape” routes. Make sure all deadbolt locks are unlocked to facilitate a faster escape.
  4. Make sure that if you were to escape by the back door, you could escape from the backyard. Frequently, high fences surround yards that contain swimming pools or hot tubs.
  5. Have all open house visitors sign in. Ask for full name, address, phone number and email.
  6. When showing the house, always walk behind the prospect. Direct them; don’t lead them. Say, for example, “The kitchen is on your left,” and gesture for them to go ahead of you.
  7. Avoid attics, basements, and getting trapped in small rooms.
  8. Notify someone in your office, your answering service, a friend or a relative that you will be calling in every hour on the hour. And if you don’t call, they are to call you.
  9. Inform a neighbor that you will be showing the house and ask if he or she would keep an eye and ear open for anything out of the ordinary.
  10. Don’t assume that everyone has left the premises at the end of an open house. Check all of the rooms and the backyard prior to locking the doors. Be prepared to defend yourself, if necessary.

(Sources: Washington Real Estate Safety Council; City of Mesa, Arizona; Nevada County Board of REALTORS®; Georgia Real Estate Commission)

Visit NAR’s REALTOR® Safety website at www.nar.realtor/Safety

You are not alone

CUSTOMIZED FINANCING OPTIONS

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financing options

Contact a CCAR REALTOR or Affiliate member to find a home financing option that's right for you.

FIND A REALTOR
FIND A LENDER

adjustable rate mortgages

Adjustable Rate Mortgages benefit people who plan to move or refinance in the near future, or those who expect their incomes to increase. ARM interest rates are dictated by changing market rates. When interest rates rise, monthly payments may increase and when interest rates decrease, monthly payments may decrease. 

Usually ARMs have a lifetime periodic cap (limit) on the rate adjustments and total amount rate can change over time.

fixed rate mortgages

Fixed Rate Mortgages (FRMs) are the most common type of mortgage enabling consistent monthly payments; pre-payment penalties are rare.

10- to 15-Year Payment Plans are shorter loans that carry higher monthly payments but accrue less interest and enable equity to increase faster.

Biweekly Payment Plans are designed to shorten the term of a loan and allow for extra principal reductions each year, therefore shortening the original term of the loan.

reverse mortgages

Reverse mortgages enable senior homeowners, 62 years and older, to either purchase or stay in their homes and maintain/improve their standard of living without taking on a monthly mortgage payment. 

Reverse mortgages enable senior homeowners to convert home equity into cash for living expenses, home improvements, in-home health care or other needs. Instead of making monthly payments to the lender, the lender may make monthly payments to the borrower, depending on the type of program selected. Criteria for approval differs greatly from other mortgages.

Borrowers may receive proceeds in a lump sum payment, fixed monthly payments for life, or a line of credit. Interest rates can fluctuate monthly/annually but monthly proceeds borrowers receive may not change.

government loans

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan programs enable borrowers to obtain financing with lower down payments. These loans are only available through approved lenders.

FHA (Government Insured) Loans require a very low down payment, typically 3.5% to 5% of the FHA-appraisal value or the purchase price, whichever is lower. Underwriting guidelines may be more lenient than conventional mortgage loans. Maximum loan limits vary depending on regional housing cost averages.

VA (Guaranteed) Loans provide service members, veterans and eligible surviving spouses additional options for home financing and housing-related programs that help them build, repair, retain, or adapt a home for personal occupancy. Because the VA guarantees a portion of the loan, private banks/mortgage companies can offer more favorable terms. Qualification guidelines are more flexible than FHA or conventional loans. Borrowers should check with authorized VA mortgage loan originators to determine eligibility.

The best way to find the right mortgage for you is to discuss your finances, plans and preferences with your REALTOR and a mortgage professional.

Disclaimer: The information above is provided solely for general informational purposes and is specifically not intended to be the basis for legal or financial advice. The information above should not be relied upon by the reader when forming a plan or decision of financing. Persons considering financing options for the purchase or refinance of real estate should consult with a professional before making any financial decisions.