The Bright MLS Compliance Department has changed its name to the Accuracy and Policy Department. The name change better reflects the department’s functions: data accuracy, and enforcement of the Bright Rules and Regulations and policies. You may reach us at AccuracyandPolicy@brightMLS.com or by telephone at 301 838-7140.

ENTERING NEW HOMES

•    Select “Yes” in New Construction Y/N field under the General Section of Keystone.

•    Add showing instructions from the Showing picklist, such as: Onsite Sales, Offsite Sales, Plan Avail/No Model and See Models.

TAX ID NUMBERS

Bright MLS Public Records may not have Tax ID numbers for new construction if the county has yet to assign them or Bright MLS has yet to receive updated tax information from the taxing jurisdiction. To enter a listing without a Tax ID number, add the state and county information, then click “continue.” The following warning will appear: “You have not attached a Tax Record, are you sure you want to proceed?” Select YES to the warning. If the Tax ID number does not appear in the Bright MLS Public Records, you will not be assessed a fine.

MULTIPLE MODELS AVAILABLE

Since many new home communities offer more than one model, which may be built on a variety of lots, you only need to list the models. Once the home has settled, you may enter the sale as a Comparable.

If a single spec model is being used as the sales office, you should cite the sales office address as the address for the other unbuilt model homes. Enter each model under its own MLS number and enter the base price as the sales price.

As these homes are new construction, there may not be photos available. You may upload images or artist renderings, including different elevations, floor plans and photos of the actual models.

CONTINGENCY EXPIRATION DATE AND TEMP OFF STATUS UPDATES

Two of the most common questions fielded by the Accuracy and Policy Department are about updating Contingency Expiration and Temp Off listing statuses.

DELINQUENT CONTINGENCY EXPIRATION DATE

•    If the contingency has not been met and more time is needed, extend the Contingency Expiration date. If you do not have a new date, then use the proposed settlement date.

•    If all contingencies have been met, change the status to Contract.

•    If the contingencies have not been met and the deal falls through, change the status to either Withdrawn or, if there is still an active listing agreement, to Active.

DELINQUENT TEMP OFF STATUS

•    Temp Off status indicates that the listing agent still has a valid listing, but the property is not available for showing. Generally, this is for short- term situations such as an unexpected repair or family emergency. If the property is available for showing, change the status back to Active. If a listing is in Temp Off status longer than 21 days, Bright MLS sends a courtesy notice. If additional time is needed, contact the Accuracy and Policy Department to indicate that the listing will need to remain in Temp Off status for an extended time period.

PHOTO AND VIRTUAL TOUR VIOLATIONS

The Bright MLS Rules and Regulations require that each listing contain an image of the property exterior or curbside view. The image must be uploaded within 48 hours of the listing appearing in Active status. If the seller does not wish to have a photo, then the agent should select “No Photo per seller.”

Bright MLS prohibits inappropriate information from appearing on photos or Virtual Tours. Inappropriate information includes brokerage or agent name, contact information, website addresses, personal property and obscene or profane material.

Many agents hire a company to create virtual tours. Some vendors provide their customers with both a branded and unbranded version of the tour. Virtual tours uploaded to Bright MLS may not contain broker or agent branding. If a vendor provides both branded and unbranded virtual tours, upload the unbranded tour to your listing.

Bright MLS will remove any branded virtual tours or listing photos and notify the agent to replace them with unbranded versions. If the agent reloads the branded virtual tour to the listing, Bright MLS staff will remove the branded tour and assess a fine to the agent. If you create a virtual tour using YouTube as the host without including any brokerage information, you may be in violation of your state licensing law on advertising, which requires brokerage information to be displayed on any marketing materials. Complying with state licensing law means the YouTube virtual tour would contain branding, therefore not permitted as a listing upload on Bright MLS.