August 2024 Broker Report

Thrive Broker Summit Happening Next Month

It’s important to embrace change and know what to anticipate in a changing real estate industry. That’s why CRMLS is inviting you to Thrive Broker Summit.

Removal of compensation fields, new concessions info, and more occurred on August 13

August 13 was a pivotal day as CRMLS implemented firm and important changes to remain compliant following the NAR settlement. Stay up to date by reading our FAQ and other documents on our Settlement Resource Center.

What to Know:

• Buyer Agent Compensation (BAC) fields were removed from Matrix and Paragon systems on August 13; for Flexmls, they were removed on August 8
• New CRMLS Rules & Policy changes are in effect
• The Concessions field at Close will include a category list
• Warning messages were added to listing input to help users understand that compensation is no longer permitted
• Fines will be imposed on all listings that attempt to indicate forms of compensation

Compliance

Broker Compliance Helpline

You can contact the Broker Compliance Helpline in three simple steps:

1. Make sure your MLS ID is ready (note that only active Brokers, Office Managers, and Personal/Office Assistants connected to a Broker or Office Manager can use the Helpline). To learn if your ID has the correct MLS user class, please email brokers@crmls.org. 
2. Call 909-859-2043.
3. Press 3 to speak directly to a Compliance Analyst for assistance. 

You can reach us Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM PT. Please do NOT share this phone number with agents. 

If you have questions regarding your user class or Personal Assistant/Office Assistant accounts, please email us at brokers@crmls.org. 

Question of the Month

True or False: “You have a new listing, and the seller tells you that they have some photos that they would like you to use in the MLS. What is the best practice in this situation” 

1. Accept the photos and use them in the listing because that is what the seller has asked you to do
2. Ask the seller if they took the photos themselves or got them from a third party, and then proceed to get written authorization to use the photos from either the seller or the third party accordingly
3. Reject the photos because your photographer did not take them
4. Accept the photos, but alter them to make them look different before you use them in the listing

Answer: B

As Rule 11.5(b) explains, when it comes to photos that you did not take yourself, you should always get written permission from whoever created the photos or has the rights to use them before you use the photos in the MLS.

Additional resources are available here: 

• Compliance Rules and Policies
• CRMLS Compliance FAQs

Enhancements & Products

Compliance made easy with RentSpree
Confidently place tenants and minimize risk to your business

We know screening rental applicants can pose some compliance challenges for your team, but CRMLS has the solution. RentSpree’s award-winning platform mitigates your brokerage’s risk while streamlining the entire screening process. 

RentSpree protects your team by taking care of tasks like:

• Handling and storing sensitive client information
• Collecting application and screening fees
• Ensuring all parties adhere to Fair Housing laws

Best of all, RentSpree is already integrated in your MLS and is available at no additional cost for your agents to use. 

Please see the attached one-page guide that helps walk your agents through their first screening with RentSpree. 

• CRMLS REcenterhub dashboard latest updates include a fully integrated Support system, updated logo, and usability bug fixes

Paragon

• 7/16 Paragon update: Paragon Connect’s new dashboard layout and search option, plus other improvements
• 7/31 Paragon update: unlimited number of search results, updated clustering on the map, plus more improvements for both Paragon and Paragon Connect