Several months ago the ARMLS Board of Directors decided to remove the editing lock-down of certain fields (e.g. address fields, assessor #, grid, etc…).  For quite some time only staff at ARMLS or Association staff had the ability to edit those fields.

It became apparent that it would not be feasible to unlock those fields for editing until the switch was made to flexmls.  Now that we have converted MLS systems to flexmls, the lock-down of those fields has been lifted.  Listing Agents and Brokers may now edit those fields which they had not been able to edit in Tempo.

Tags: Rules by Paul Kriewall
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In a few days the zip codes that were changed by the US Postal Service last year in the ARMLS service area will have been in place for 1 year.  Per the ARMLS policy put in place at the time of the zip code changes, ARMLS has allowed properties to continue to use their former zip code or the newer official zip code until June 30^th of 2008. 

 

On July 1^st, 2008, all zip codes must reflect the official zip code for the property.  If any Active status listings (Active, AWC and TOM) still have the old zip codes, please take a moment to call the ARMLS Compliance Department at (480) 303-7021 or the Help Desk at (480) 303-7020, to have the zip code updated for you.  You may also call your local REALTOR® association to assist you with updating the information.

 

The policy that was posted on the Tempo Welcome Screen from last year is included below for our subscriber’s perusal. 

Zip Code Policy for Zip Codes changed by US Postal Service in 2007

  

On July 1^st, 2007 the United States Post Office deleted, added and/or changed the boundaries of several zip code areas in and around the ARMLS service area.  USPS policy is to still deliver the mail to both the new current zip codes as well as the former zip codes, for 1 year after the change.  At that time ARMLS decided that for the input of MLS listings and compliance with rule 8.3 (factual detail on listings), it would follow the USPS lead and allow listings to have either zip code until June 30, 2008.

 

Part of that decision was based on the fact that some websites that receive data feeds from ARMLS, such as Realtor.com, were rejecting listings with the new zip codes.  Those sites appear to now be accepting the new codes and agent’s listings are not being rejected by them.

 

On July 1, 2008, all existing “Active”, “AWC” and “TOM” status listings must have the current accurate zip code input onto the listing.  All listings entered on or after July 1, 2008 also must reflect the current zip code for the property.  Listings in an off-market status on that date (i.e. “Sold”, “Expired”, “Cancelled”, and “Pending”) will not be required to change from the old zip code to the new zip code unless the status changes back to one of the active statuses.

 

ARMLS encourages all listing agents to start using the new zip codes as soon as possible.  This should also help the subscribers at large to conduct better searches if they are searching by zip code.

 

Currently the zip code field is not editable by ARMLS subscribers.  To facilitate any zip code changes that you would like to be made to your listing, please call ARMLS at (602) 955-1707 and ask for assistance.  Please be prepared with your MLS#(s) and the correct zip code.  ARMLS will then verify the accuracy of the data change, check for any Days on Market issues and edit the listing for you (provided the change is accurate).

 

UPDATE (8/5/2008) 

 Remember, with the switch in MLS systems, you are now able to edit your own zip codes without calling ARMLS or your Association.

 

Attached are links (provided by the USPS) to the zip code maps for zip codes changed by USPS in July 2007: 85234_85296_85295_new_zips_20070701.pdf

85297_85298_new_zips_20070701.pdf

avondale-goodyear_new_zips_after.pdf

casa_grande_new_zips_after.pdf

chandler_ocotillo_new_zips_after.pdf

gilbert_new_zips_after.pdf

glendale_new_zips_after.pdf

marana_new_zips_after.pdf

maricopa_new_zips_after.pdf

queen_creek_new_zips_after.pdf

scottsdale_kachina_new_zips_after.pdf

 

Tags: Rules by Paul Kriewall
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The final paragraph of Rule 8.1 in the ARMLS Rules and Regulations states: “ARMLS, on the advice of its legal counsel, may refuse to publish information that may generate legal liability”. The listing agent may wish to explain that the MLS rules provide for such discretion.  If necessary the listing agent may provide relevant portions of these Rules and Regulations such as Section 8.1. We have determined that the removal of certain words, phrases and numbers are enforceable under this rule and will be forbidden and removed by ARMLS.ARMLS will be checking for certain verbiage in the Public Remarks, Directions and in some cases the Realtor Remarks.  We will be removing the offending material and sending notice of the removal via the e-mail function of our automatic listing checking software iCheck.  Please read the policy in its entirety and direct any questions you may have to the Compliance Department.  The new policy can be found in flexmls and in the Subscribers’ area of ARMLS.com (or click here: Inappropriate Language Policy).  Violators of the policy will be sent e-mails and letters generated by iCheck (our automated listing review software).  These messages will look at little different than other violation e-mails and letters from the Compliance Department that you may have heard about or received in the past.  The e-mails will have no attachments as the information you need to carefully review is directly in the body of the e-mail.  Most of these notices will contain due dates by which you need to take care of the violation in order to avoid being fined. 

Tags: Rules by Administrator
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Short Sales are currently a very hot topic in real estate and in the ARMLS listings. In order to clear up any confusion over certain listing items related to Short Sale transactions ARMLS recently posted a document titled “Short Sale Policy”.

Many of these items have been hotly debated in a variety of forums, including special in ARMLS committees and at the Board of Directors. The listing policies of Short Sales had to be looked at in relation to the ARMLS Rules and Regulations and have been reviewed multiple times with the input of many members of the REALTOR^® community.

Please make sure you read the “Short Sale Questions and Answers” either here Short Sale Policy (10-6-08 Property Features Updated), in the MLS system, or through Rules section in the Subscribers’ area of ARMLS.com. The Short Sale topics included cover: Status, Commission, List Price and required Property Features.

Tags: Rules by Administrator
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Compliance Department Analysts main line:  (480) 303- 7021

Tags: Rules by Administrator
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