Ask Technical Terry is a series RMLS™ aims to offer once a month. RMLS™ subscribers will drive the content—submit any question about RMLS™ to Technical Terry in the comments or by emailing communications@rmls.com. Don’t be shy—we won’t identify you by name.
Dear TT,
I am SOOOOOO frustrated! I was watching a property using the new Watch List feature on RMLSweb. I have a client that was interested in purchasing it if it ever hit the market again. Well I found out today that not only did it come on the market but it’s already pending! What gives? Why was I not notified? I have a very upset buyer!
Watching for Nothing
Dear WfN:
You did not mention how you were watching the property—MLS number or Tax ID—but based on what happened, I suspect that you were watching the MLS number for an off-market record of the property.
The way Watch List works, it’s looking for activity on either the MLS number or Tax ID. Since the MLS number you were watching was off-market it would never have any additional activity to trigger a Watch List notification. You should always watch the Tax ID number if the property is in some off-market status. That way if the property is relisted, you will be notified immediately.
Sorry to hear about your lost sale, WfN! Now that you know the crucial difference between watching a MLS number and a Tax ID, I’ll bet you’ll never have this issue again.
Technical Terry
Hello Technical Terry-
The other day I got my very first Watch List notification—a property on the Oregon Coast that had just gone on the market. The only trouble is, I don’t know why I was watching it! Was I just testing the system? Was it for a past client who was looking for a vacation home? Was it for a prospective client? I just don’t remember! Can RMLS™ help?
Laurie in LO
“L-O,” Laurie! (See what I did there?)—
One enhancement request we’ve heard from more than a few RMLS™ subscribers is to add a notes field for each Watch List item. Any notes the user enters could help jog his or her memory about why the property is on the list. If the Tax ID number you’re watching comes back on the market in two years (or more!), will you remember why you were interested in it? Other RMLS™ subscribers have expressed their desire for some kind of reference point.
Our development team has been super busy lately with the RMLSwebforms change project and the new mapping module but once they get some breathing room I suspect you’ll see this feature added to Watch List.
Terry on the WWW
Greetings, Technical Terry:
I’m new to RMLS™—I just moved to the Portland area from Arizona. Can you tell me about how the rules are different at RMLS™ compared to the market where I spent the last ten years? One of my coworkers told me that branded tour videos aren’t allowed on RMLSweb which is much different than what I’m used to. Where do I start to learn how things work in my new market?
Eager Beaver
Greetings, Eager Beaver:
Welcome to the Pacific northwest! And what a refreshing, proactive approach to learning about your new market. It’s true, Section 3.24 of the RMLS™ Rules and Regulations prohibits personal advertising and branding in listing information, which includes video and virtual tours—so your education is already underway.
If you’re specifically looking for a rundown on RMLS™ rules, I’d recommend attending the RMLS™ Rules and Regulations class offered at RMLS™ offices. If one of the scheduled classes is inconvenient for you, RMLS™ trainers can also come to an office meeting to present a class! Just email training@rmls.com or call (503) 236-7657 to set up an appointment.
Even after you take the class the RMLS™ Data Accuracy team is here to help you navigate the RMLS™ Rules and Regulations. They field questions from RMLS™ subscribers every day about the rules and the listing data on RMLSweb. They can be reached via email at dataaccuracy@rmls.com or call (503) 236-7657.
That should be enough to get you started, Eager Beaver, but I would be remiss if I didn’t gently suggest having a thorough read of the RMLS™ Rules and Regulations yourself to see what you find. A direct link to the document can be found on the RMLSweb desktop page under the Links menu in the left sidebar. You’ll be an expert on your new market in no time!
Ask Technical Terry is a series RMLS™ aims to offer once a month. RMLS™ subscribers will drive the content—submit any question about RMLS™ to Technical Terry in the comments or by emailing communications@rmls.com. Don’t be shy—we won’t identify you by name.
Dear TT,
I am SOOOOOO frustrated! I was watching a property using the new Watch List feature on RMLSweb. I have a client that was interested in purchasing it if it ever hit the market again. Well I found out today that not only did it come on the market but it’s already pending! What gives? Why was I not notified? I have a very upset buyer!
Watching for Nothing
Dear WfN:
You did not mention how you were watching the property—MLS number or Tax ID—but based on what happened, I suspect that you were watching the MLS number for an off-market record of the property.
The way Watch List works, it’s looking for activity on either the MLS number or Tax ID. Since the MLS number you were watching was off-market it would never have any additional activity to trigger a Watch List notification. You should always watch the Tax ID number if the property is in some off-market status. That way if the property is relisted, you will be notified immediately.
Sorry to hear about your lost sale, WfN! Now that you know the crucial difference between watching a MLS number and a Tax ID, I’ll bet you’ll never have this issue again.
Technical Terry
Hello Technical Terry-
The other day I got my very first Watch List notification—a property on the Oregon Coast that had just gone on the market. The only trouble is, I don’t know why I was watching it! Was I just testing the system? Was it for a past client who was looking for a vacation home? Was it for a prospective client? I just don’t remember! Can RMLS™ help?
Laurie in LO
“L-O,” Laurie! (See what I did there?)—
One enhancement request we’ve heard from more than a few RMLS™ subscribers is to add a notes field for each Watch List item. Any notes the user enters could help jog his or her memory about why the property is on the list. If the Tax ID number you’re watching comes back on the market in two years (or more!), will you remember why you were interested in it? Other RMLS™ subscribers have expressed their desire for some kind of reference point.
Our development team has been super busy lately with the RMLSwebforms change project and the new mapping module but once they get some breathing room I suspect you’ll see this feature added to Watch List.
Terry on the WWW
Greetings, Technical Terry:
I’m new to RMLS™—I just moved to the Portland area from Arizona. Can you tell me about how the rules are different at RMLS™ compared to the market where I spent the last ten years? One of my coworkers told me that branded tour videos aren’t allowed on RMLSweb which is much different than what I’m used to. Where do I start to learn how things work in my new market?
Eager Beaver
Greetings, Eager Beaver:
Welcome to the Pacific northwest! And what a refreshing, proactive approach to learning about your new market. It’s true, Section 3.24 of the RMLS™ Rules and Regulations prohibits personal advertising and branding in listing information, which includes video and virtual tours—so your education is already underway.
If you’re specifically looking for a rundown on RMLS™ rules, I’d recommend attending the RMLS™ Rules and Regulations class offered at RMLS™ offices. If one of the scheduled classes is inconvenient for you, RMLS™ trainers can also come to an office meeting to present a class! Just email training@rmls.com or call (503) 236-7657 to set up an appointment.
Even after you take the class the RMLS™ Data Accuracy team is here to help you navigate the RMLS™ Rules and Regulations. They field questions from RMLS™ subscribers every day about the rules and the listing data on RMLSweb. They can be reached via email at dataaccuracy@rmls.com or call (503) 236-7657.
That should be enough to get you started, Eager Beaver, but I would be remiss if I didn’t gently suggest having a thorough read of the RMLS™ Rules and Regulations yourself to see what you find. A direct link to the document can be found on the RMLSweb desktop page under the Links menu in the left sidebar. You’ll be an expert on your new market in no time!
Maps on RMLSweb are getting a facelift next week—and although they’ll have a different look, features will largely stay the same.
RMLSweb maps, which are currently powered by Microsoft’s Bing, will be making a big change in the coming days. This requires RMLS™ to make some changes to RMLSweb to keep maps on the site up and running.
The new interface is cleaner, easier, and more mobile friendly—but subscribers will notice that nearly all the current mapping features on RMLSweb will remain the same.
Map layers, map shapes, includes, and excludes are still available to target a search. Toggle buttons make it clear when the map is in drawing mode versus navigation mode. Larger buttons, less reliant on text, should make using the new interface easier for mobile users.
The one exception to the features available in this new look? The birds-eye view of maps won’t be available right away, but may return later as Microsoft improves its Bing product.
Map Checked properties will sport buttons to produce driving directions with the image of a car, and printable maps with the image of a printer. List and Map buttons toggle between two views of the same information.
Look for the visual changes to RMLSweb maps starting Wednesday, June 21st on RMLSweb!
UPDATE (June 20, 2017):
RMLS™ trainers have created a brief video (4:50) to demonstrate the new mapping interface.
Ask Technical Terry is a series RMLS™ aims to offer once a month. RMLS™ subscribers will drive the content—submit any question about RMLS™ to Technical Terry in the comments or by emailing communications@rmls.com. Don’t be shy—we won’t identify you by name.
Hey TT-
Help! I witnessed a fellow REALTOR® giving out a SentriSmart™ lockbox access code to their buyers! I was at a coffee shop and overheard this person on the phone, walking someone through the process of opening a lockbox, including retrieving the lockbox serial number and using a lockbox code. When I approached them about the issue a few minutes later, they said they did not want to drive all the way to the coast to show a vacant condo. Is this OK?
Pensive in the Pearl
As you probably know, this is a major violation of the RMLS™ Rules and Regulations as well as the SentriLock user agreement! This person could face sanctions as high as $2500 and expulsion from RMLS™!
Perhaps you’ve noticed that RMLS™ has run an article on the RMLSweb desktop a few times over the past several months about this kind of issue. Detailing the liability concerns would take far too long, but this type of behavior strikes at the very core of REALTOR® professionalism. When the RMLS™ Board of Directors made the decision to transition to SentriLock, one of the key points considered was the numerous ways to open a lockbox. Unfortunately this enhanced capability has enhanced the potential for misuse as well. This is one example of misuse made possible because of technology.
SentriLock is a REALTOR®-owned company, and as such is keyed into the trends and behaviors of REALTORS® on a national level. SentriLock has developed new reporting capability for administrators (such as the MLS) that allow for GPS correlation between the cell phone using SentriSmart™ to generate an access code and the physical location of the lockbox. If you and your cell phone are in Portland generating a SentriSmart™ access code for a lockbox in Coos Bay, the SentriLock system will flag it. As you can imagine, this technology provides RMLS™ with much more information about this kind of behavior. Please continue to report suspected transgressions to RMLS™, but also be aware that we are watching these reports and responding accordingly.
Technical Terry,
One of my clients called me in a huff this morning. He was getting ready to leave for work when a random REALTOR® entered his house with clients! He and his wife accepted an offer last week and wasn’t expecting to see more strangers inside his home. How can I ensure this client won’t get any more surprises until moving day?
Frustrated in Forest Grove
I understand your frustration! This is another issue RMLS™ hears about with some regularity—REALTORS® entering a listing after an offer has been accepted and the listing is in pending status (PEN) on RMLSweb.
Everyone, listen up: if you enter a property currently in pending status on RMLSweb without the permission of the listing agent or owner, you could face some unpleasant repercussions! This activity is a violation of the RMLS™ Rules and Regulations.
We emphasized this information in our recent blog post about the importance of following showing instructions, but it bears repeating. Before showing a property, check the current status of a listing before entering the property. Apps like RPR Mobile™ and HomeSpotter give you easy access to RMLSweb listing information in the field. Then if a listing is in pending status, do not hold a showing! It doesn’t matter if the listing is vacant or occupied, if it’s pending on RMLSweb, do not enter.
Dear Technical Terry,
The batteries died in my lockbox and I want to replace them. There’s a great sale on CR123A batteries at my local bulk store, but they’re not Panasonic batteries like the front desk staff at RMLS™ have told me they use exclusively. What’s the big deal? Can’t I use these for my lockbox replacement batteries?
Dead Batteries in the Dalles
It’s sad, but true, DBD—not all CR123A batteries are exactly the same. In this case, the Panasonic batteries hold an extra circuit that ensures the batteries maintain a consistent three-volt power supply. SentriLock lockboxes require a constant three volts to function properly, meaning these are the batteries you’ll need to buy for your SentriLock lockbox.
I know it’s tempting to get whatever battery is easily available, but the lockbox will not function as reliably if it’s not getting that constant three volts of juice. It is because of this that SentriLock will not support or warranty any lockboxes with non-Panasonic batteries in them.
Ask Technical Terry is a series RMLS™ aims to offer once a month. RMLS™ subscribers will drive the content—submit any question about RMLS™ to Technical Terry in the comments or by emailing communications@rmls.com. Don’t be shy—we won’t identify you by name.
Hey TT-
Help! I witnessed a fellow REALTOR® giving out a SentriSmart™ lockbox access code to their buyers! I was at a coffee shop and overheard this person on the phone, walking someone through the process of opening a lockbox, including retrieving the lockbox serial number and using a lockbox code. When I approached them about the issue a few minutes later, they said they did not want to drive all the way to the coast to show a vacant condo. Is this OK?
Pensive in the Pearl
As you probably know, this is a major violation of the RMLS™ Rules and Regulations as well as the SentriLock user agreement! This person could face sanctions as high as $2500 and expulsion from RMLS™!
Perhaps you’ve noticed that RMLS™ has run an article on the RMLSweb desktop a few times over the past several months about this kind of issue. Detailing the liability concerns would take far too long, but this type of behavior strikes at the very core of REALTOR® professionalism. When the RMLS™ Board of Directors made the decision to transition to SentriLock, one of the key points considered was the numerous ways to open a lockbox. Unfortunately this enhanced capability has enhanced the potential for misuse as well. This is one example of misuse made possible because of technology.
SentriLock is a REALTOR®-owned company, and as such is keyed into the trends and behaviors of REALTORS® on a national level. SentriLock has developed new reporting capability for administrators (such as the MLS) that allow for GPS correlation between the cell phone using SentriSmart™ to generate an access code and the physical location of the lockbox. If you and your cell phone are in Portland generating a SentriSmart™ access code for a lockbox in Coos Bay, the SentriLock system will flag it. As you can imagine, this technology provides RMLS™ with much more information about this kind of behavior. Please continue to report suspected transgressions to RMLS™, but also be aware that we are watching these reports and responding accordingly.
Technical Terry,
One of my clients called me in a huff this morning. He was getting ready to leave for work when a random REALTOR® entered his house with clients! He and his wife accepted an offer last week and wasn’t expecting to see more strangers inside his home. How can I ensure this client won’t get any more surprises until moving day?
Frustrated in Forest Grove
I understand your frustration! This is another issue RMLS™ hears about with some regularity—REALTORS® entering a listing after an offer has been accepted and the listing is in pending status (PEN) on RMLSweb.
Everyone, listen up: if you enter a property currently in pending status on RMLSweb without the permission of the listing agent or owner, you could face some unpleasant repercussions! This activity is a violation of the RMLS™ Rules and Regulations.
We emphasized this information in our recent blog post about the importance of following showing instructions, but it bears repeating. Before showing a property, check the current status of a listing before entering the property. Apps like RPR Mobile™ and HomeSpotter give you easy access to RMLSweb listing information in the field. Then if a listing is in pending status, do not hold a showing! It doesn’t matter if the listing is vacant or occupied, if it’s pending on RMLSweb, do not enter.
Dear Technical Terry,
The batteries died in my lockbox and I want to replace them. There’s a great sale on CR123A batteries at my local bulk store, but they’re not Panasonic batteries like the front desk staff at RMLS™ have told me they use exclusively. What’s the big deal? Can’t I use these for my lockbox replacement batteries?
Dead Batteries in the Dalles
It’s sad, but true, DBD—not all CR123A batteries are exactly the same. In this case, the Panasonic batteries hold an extra circuit that ensures the batteries maintain a consistent three-volt power supply. SentriLock lockboxes require a constant three volts to function properly, meaning these are the batteries you’ll need to buy for your SentriLock lockbox.
I know it’s tempting to get whatever battery is easily available, but the lockbox will not function as reliably if it’s not getting that constant three volts of juice. It is because of this that SentriLock will not support or warranty any lockboxes with non-Panasonic batteries in them.
RMLS™ is gearing up for its annual forms change on RMLSweb! Following an overnight outage [SEE UPDATES], later this spring subscribers will notice new supplements, co-lister access to in-progress listings, contract changes, the absence of map coordinates fields, and a variety of smaller changes.
Forms changes happen regularly on RMLSweb. Each change has been approved by the RMLS™ Forms Committee based on the feedback provided through hundreds of subscriber comments. Recommendations were then reviewed and approved by the RMLS™ Board of Directors.
Implementation of these changes is quite a task, largely on the part of the RMLSweb development team. An overnight outage will take place in late May or early June to allow for this extra work.
Once the forms change is live, here are a few of the biggest pieces you’ll see.
Three New Supplements
Floating homes will gain a supplement, as will townhouses/planned communities. If a listing is occupied by someone other than the homeowner, a non-owner occupant supplement will be available.
Have you ever co-listed a property with another agent and been unable to work on the listing as a team until the listing was published on RMLSweb? A co-lister may be chosen when creating a listing in Listing Load, and that chosen co-lister will be able to edit or publish those listings along with the agent who initiated the work.
Listing Load Unabbreviated by Default [SEE UPDATES]
RMLS™ does its best to use listing abbreviations that make sense, but SPRNKLR is much easier to decipher than PLB-ICE. Once this forms change project is live, Listing Load on RMLSweb will be unabbreviated by default, so you won’t need to have Document #1210, Listing Abbreviations, open in another browser tab to do your work. If you prefer the brevity of an abbreviated Listing Load (or like to challenge your knowledge of RMLSweb abbreviations), a button will be available allowing you to toggle between the two options.
Searchable DOM
Looking for homes that have been on the market for a while? Days on Market (DOM) will be searchable in Advanced Search for listings in active status.
State of Oregon Residency
Listings in Oregon will sport a new field to indicate whether or not the seller is a permanent resident of the state. This information is now required on OREF forms.
Contract Changes
Listing contracts will carry a space to list the license number of the REALTOR® and office, some small changes to language, and a few new selections in various fields. (See update below.)
Contract changes will include some general housekeeping and the following:
• Listing contracts will include the license number of the REALTOR® and office in the signature section.
• Listing contracts will nclude the seller’s email in the signature section.
• The language regarding procuring cause in Section 3 will be removed, as the language was found to be redundant: “or (c) is the procuring cause of an agreement to sell the Property or lease the Property with an option to purchase.”
UPDATE (May 24, 2017):
The overnight outage to deploy the forms change project has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 6th at 10pm until Wednesday, June 7th at 6am.
During this time the maintenance mode version of RMLSweb will be available to search for listings and agent contact information. Data on the site will be read-only and users will not be able to save searches, create profiles, or enter listings.
UPDATE (June 6, 2017):
The enhancement to Listing Load, showing feature values in their unabbreviated form by default, will be released in late June.
UPDATE (October 27, 2017):
On October 31st, RMLS™ will release a few more edits to this year’s forms change, the result of subscriber feedback received after the initial release.
The Seller Perm. Oregon Resident Y/N field will change from being required to being unrequired. (Oregon only)
Pending HOA Litigation Y/N: The field will be changed from unrequired on the Condo Supplement to required. In addition, the field will change from Yes/No to Yes/No/Unknown.
