March 2025 Broker Report

California Fire Relief Resources

In response to the California wildfires, CRMLS has gathered information about various relief efforts across the region. The CRMLS Emergency Resources page offers a running list of places you can seek assistance or offer donations to those in need. Please continue to stay safe as the situation develops.

A Note About Price Gouging Following the California Wildfires

As the situation with the fires across southern California develops, CRMLS is committed to helping the affected communities and all those who have been otherwise impacted. As an MLS, we are responsible for ensuring property data is not just compliant with our own policies but also with state law. Therefore, we’d like to take a moment to discuss price gouging, as described in California Penal Code section 396.

Put simply, PEN 396 prohibits the increase of rental prices by more than 10% during times of emergency. We have been contacted by the state attorney general inquiring about the penalties resulting from violation of the price gouging rules. CRMLS is unapologetic about our support of the law.

You can find more information about price gouging in this FAQ and see what areas are under price gouging protection here.

It’s important to remember that in the face of disasters we are all united as Californians and as neighbors. We’re all in this together, so let’s all do what we can with what we have to help. Thank you all for your support and please continue to stay safe.

MLS Stats

Compliance

Be Knowledgeable about the Compliance Knowledgebase

The CRMLS Compliance Knowledgebase is a collection reference materials, FAQs, and how-to guides available on the CRMLS Compliance website. Search by topic to find answers and instructions for your most common inquiries.

This month we’re highlighting the Compliance Knowledgebase article “Photographs and Media FAQs” and specifically the requirement for at least one exterior photo on a listing. 

Per CRMLS Rule 11.5.1, at least one photograph or rendering accurately depicting a substantial portion of the exterior of the subject property must be submitted to the MLS within two (2) days of entry of listing and must remain in the listing at all times for all statuses.  

While at least one (1) photograph must be of a substantial portion of the exterior of the property, it is not required to be posted as the primary photo. Only Registered listings, listings canceled within two (2) days, and listings entered in the Business Opportunity property type are exempt from the requirement to have at least one (1) exterior photograph. 

View our full FAQ on Photographs and Media or visit our Knowledgebase library for more!  

Guidelines for Entering Listings into Two Different Property Types   

Listings can be entered in the MLS in two different property types. However, upon a successful close of escrow, one listing’s status should be updated to “Sold” while the other listing status would be changed to “Canceled”.

Please note that it is at the discretion of the Listing Broker as to which property type shall be selected as “Sold” and which property type shall be “Canceled”.

Visit our Listing Status Definitions and Effects on Days on Market (“DOM”) Knowledgebase article for more details! 

Compliance Top Violations Overview Quarterly General Session

Our next Compliance Quarterly General Session features the Top Violations Overview, a great resource for newer agents and a great refresher for seasoned professionals alike. Join us as we discuss the most common violations and the fines associated with them, plus we’ll provide tips on how to avoid them.

Other topics will include CRMLS Rules & Policies, the CRMLS Citation Policy, Registered Process, Clear Cooperation Policy, Coming Soon Status, and CRMLS Member Resources.

Please share the following registration link with your agents.

CRMLS Compliance Quarterly General Session Top Violations Overview
Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 10 AM

Compliance Presentations Available to Your Brokerage

As a reminder, CRMLS Compliance is available throughout the year to provide you with various complimentary presentations for your agents. Presentations are available both in-person and virtually. Please fill out our form to schedule Compliance training for your office.  

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.