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Unauthorized IDX - Check Your MLS Rules before Posting!

By
Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster 0225078705

I notice on Active Rain and several real estate Blogs and websites... agents are posting public MLS displays to the Internet in the form of MLS links with photos of perhaps a local subdivision, homes for sale, new homes, sold homes etc.   These are the MLS links you are allowed to email a client or potential customers (a Client gateway) one-on-one from agent to client use only and are they are not permitted to be used for public display!  This is a violation of most MLS rules I know of across the nation, and posting links like this you could get into serious trouble  (Depending on your MLS rules for doing so!) 

Some agents think they are creative, but the reason that other agents are not doing this is that it is a clear violation of MLS rules.

****IDX and broker reciprocity in many states require a sign off from your broker to allow you as an agent or broker associate to share in marketing not only your companies listings, and that of your competitors! It is done under an agreement with other brokers,  They are not your listings to market individually.  IDX or Brokers reciprocity does not allow you as an agent to create your own database by using your MLS in a way that is not permitted.  Check your local MLS or your broker for more information!  Most MLS will have a compliance department to deal with this member abuse!

Posted by

James Crawford Broker Associate

Long & Foster Fredericksburg Virginia

678-595-5286 Direct

 

Fredericksburg VA Real Estate Agents, Spotsylvania County Homes for Sale, Spotsylvania County VA Homes, Stafford County VA Homes, and City of Fredericksburg VA – Luxury Homes, Lots, Land, and New Home Construction. Buying or Selling Call Me!  

 

Long and Foster Fredericksburg VA

Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Richard Iarossi, Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate (Long and Foster® Real Estate, Inc.)  If we cannot stop the offenders ASAP...things can get quickly out of hand.

Jan 05, 2010 04:35 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

I am surprised that there isn't an Active Rain watchdog to stop this as it could probably reflect on AR.  Maybe that's you?

Jan 05, 2010 04:57 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Jane Peters Los Angeles Living, Los Angeles Homes (BRC Realty Group)  No it is not me, I just air my pet peeves.

Jan 05, 2010 05:15 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Very good point on IDX links Jim. Most agents probably do not know they are in violation.
Jan 05, 2010 08:06 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Gary Woltal - Associate Broker REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty)  Gary, I am seeing quite a few post listings this way on AR, and they could be fined by their MLS for doing so.

Jan 05, 2010 08:29 AM
John Walters
Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA
Licensed in Louisiana

I love it when an agent uses old photos for a listing taken by another agent.  What you can't afford a camera?

Jan 05, 2010 11:27 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

John Walters (Licensed in Louisiana U.S.A.) (Slidell, Pearl River, Lacombe)  Sometimes I think real estate should is the "Laztman's way to riches!"

Jan 05, 2010 11:30 PM
Cherise Selley
Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realtor

Jim...good advice about IDX...People take shortcuts to try to get ahead....Unfortunate...

Jan 06, 2010 04:52 AM
Kay Van Kampen
RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO
Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

Good advice to all agents.  Better to be safe than sorry.

Jan 06, 2010 12:40 PM
Richard Stabile
Re/Max Real Estate Limited - Oradell, NJ
Bergen County New Homes Builder Realtor

Jim:

Idx is only to be displayed on the site that is authorized and signed up with all the idx compliance documents.

Yes, the Broker of record must sign the authorization for the sign to have idx.

The Idx must be displayed in the proper format.

Richard

Jan 06, 2010 12:50 PM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Cherise Selley (Selley Group Real Estate, LLC)  It is not good to do that.  An agent could land themsleves in hot water.

Jan 06, 2010 01:13 PM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Kay Van Kampen, CDPE, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions)  I spoke ot one compliance officer of an MLS before I wrote this.  He said most agents probably do thing out of ignorance...then there are the few others...

Jan 06, 2010 01:15 PM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Richard Stabile Bergen County New Homes Builder Realtor (REMAX real estate associates)  I do not know what their games is for doing this.  The state would also frown on an agent that without authorization goes over and places his for sale sign on another agents listing.  Not only would that be unethical, it would probably be viewed as illegal.

Jan 06, 2010 01:17 PM
Ross Quintana
Real E Smarter - Spokane, WA
Real E Smarter Real Estate Coach - 509-362-1966

I think there are so many things going on out there that policing these issues becomes impossible. But I wondered.

Jan 08, 2010 04:48 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
Jan 08, 2010 08:50 AM
Darryl Glade
RE/MAX N.O. Properties - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate

Jim, I am glad that you noted this. I have seen it often and wondered if the person posting this info knew what they were doing.

 

Jan 12, 2010 02:14 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Darryl Glade ~ New Orleans Real Estate (RE/MAX N.O. Properties)  Hey Darryl!  Long time no see!  No it is not allowed in most areas.

Jan 12, 2010 03:01 AM
Karen Richards
Keller Williams Realty Allen - Allen, TX

We have a personal experience with this. What we have found from our  local board is that if an agent wants to use another agents listing for marketing purposes in any way there must be written permission from the listing agent. (Our trouble arose over a forgotten verbal approval.) We have developed an in house co/operative agreement with over 50 local agents to promote their listings on our site www.FindMyNewHomeInTexas.com. 

Without that agreement in place the "advertiser" is in violation of not only MLS guiedlines but of copyright laws as well.

Great post Jim!

Jan 15, 2010 12:46 AM
Karen Richards
Keller Williams Realty Allen - Allen, TX

We have a personal experience with this. What we have found from our  local board is that if an agent wants to use another agents listing for marketing purposes in any way there must be written permission from the listing agent. (Our trouble arose over a forgotten verbal approval.) We have developed an in house co/operative agreement with over 50 local agents to promote their listings on our site www.FindMyNewHomeInTexas.com. 

Without that agreement in place the "advertiser" is in violation of not only MLS guiedlines but of copyright laws as well.

Great post Jim!

Jan 15, 2010 12:46 AM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA

Karen Richards (RE/MAX Premier Group)  The laws will vary from state to state.  In GA under GA law it can only be under the same broker.

Jan 15, 2010 03:07 AM