So what is the status on…

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This week we have been fielding calls and working hard on many projects and updates.  Here is a little status update for all:

Contract & Forms

  • Income Property Rider:  Berkshire Bar comments and suggestions were considered, final draft is ready for the Board approval next week. Expect it in your forms platforms soon!  We will post when made available.
  • Buyer Agreement Modification – To be mirrored after the Excusive Rights to Sell Agreement Modification, this form will have a quick and easy way to extend or change common terms.  Draft is ready for Board approval and we hope that will be released shortly as well.
  • Short Term Rental Form: Request for a new form similar to the Income Property Rider for Short Term Rental Obligations – that will go to the forms committee in the new year.
  • Condo Rider: Pagination Fix for Condo Rider in Process
  • General Overview:  The 2025 Contract Committee will continue to look at compensation fields and process and suggest adjustments to meet market needs.
  • Home Inspector Facts for Consumer:  Ensure all platforms have the form with an option for confirmation of receipt for those wishing to use that version.
  • You are encouraged to submit your own suggestions to Sandy@BerkshireREALTORS.org

MLS

Pending Rentals: We are updating the system to add “pending” when reporting on rental status. That is helpful for applicants that have housing vouchers (Sec 8, RAFT, etc.) for the housing authorities to process paperwork. Other issues arise that this status could be helpful so you don’t need to relist if a tenancy falls through, when marked as pending rather than going straight to closed.

Zillow Rentals and Rental Beast:  Staff is investigating the technical differences in rental display on Zillow rather than residential listings.  Rentals are not automatically added because they do not conform with the IDX requirements, and that means some valuable protections might not be in place – and we need to understand that nuance so you / the MLS can make an informed decision. Rental Beast is a new opportunity for service of rental listings that we have been asked to review to see if there is value to the Berkshire MLS members, if the MLS board decides to allow a rental feed.  Please note, all agents are able to enter their own rentals directly on Zillow manually anytime.

Audits

Staff is working right now on a simple website audit of sites using MLS data to ensure proper attribution is being made to the listing agency and listing agent and easily viewable by consumers for a true picture of who the listing is provided by

The Board will be discussing the feedback from the conference and determine how best to “audit” data accuracy and adherence to the settlement practices.  There are some basic checks MLSs are doing and others are very stringent.  We seek to find a nice balance.

Staff Work

  • MLS Data:  Staff is working on an easy to digest “Access to data” guideline and how-to.
  • New Agreements:  We will be implementing new Participation and Licensing agreements in 2025, drafted by Legal Counsel Larson Skinner
  • We are creating an “Agents Changing Offices” guide and how-to for brokerages.
  • We have completed research and integration for CubiCasa Floor Plan Program into Flex and researching Broker Public Portal (BPP). We are also researching a single sign on system within FlexMLS for the membership hub, so you will be able to access your CE credits, billing account and calendar with one click.  We have made our active listings live on RPR for better exposure.  We are researching adding the Blue Sky platform to our social media posting place.
  • Staff is reviewing new Error and Omissions Insurance options as well as Key Man Insurance.