Hello ,
The Clear Cooperation Policy is now in effect for the VMLS!
The Clear Cooperation Policy was approved by NAR in November of 2019 and is effective for the VMLS May 1, 2020.
The policy states:
Within one (1) business day of marketing a property to the public, the listing broker must submit the listing to the MLS for cooperation with other MLS participants. Public marketing includes, but is not limited to, flyers displayed in windows, yard signs, digital marketing on public-facing websites, brokerage website displays (including IDX and VOW), digital communications marketing (email blasts), multi-brokerage listing sharing networks, and applications available to the general public. (Adopted 11/19)
Beginning May 1,
Not in MLS
and
Coming Soon
emails will be prohibited from being sent through the broadcast email. Any other public marketing of a listing not in the MLS (pocket listings, office exclusives, etc.) will be subject to the
rule
changes that can be reviewed here.
When the VMLS makes the switch to Flexmls, we will have a Coming Soon Status, so properties can be listed in the MLS as Coming Soon before going Active. This option will allow for public promotion before the listing is active in the MLS. Additional rules for this status will apply.
The Clear Cooperation Policy does not prohibit Office Exclusives or MLS Exempt listings
; however as soon as that listing is promoted publicly, the one business day rule will kick in.
This policy change will most directly affect agents and brokers who take listings where the seller does not wish the property to be included in the MLS. A
gents and brokers will not be permitted to advertise the listings publicly, and if they do, they will be required to enter the listing into the MLS within one business day.
If the seller so prefers, the listings can be entered into the MLS but not disseminated to 3
rd
party sites (Zillow, realtor.com, etc.). This is done by selecting NO on the IDX Include option when entering the listing. This would allow the listing agent to advertise the listing publicly, but also provide the seller privacy in regards to who has access to the listing information.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Sincerely,
Mike Fox
VMLS Director
