Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I join ARMLS®?
A. You may sign up for an ARMLS subscription at your local REALTOR® Association. You can download a copy of the Subscriber Agreement.
Q. What does it cost to join ARMLS?
A. MLS Subscriber fees are paid annually and are due June 30 for service from July 1 through June 30. The yearly subscription fee is $264, but may change from year to year at the discretion of the ARMLS Board of Directors. If you join later in the year, your fees are prorated at the time. See your local Association for a prorating schedule. Q. How do ARMLS Subscriber fees compare to other comparably sized MLSs?
A. ARMLS subscription fees are among the lowest in the country for systems of comparable size. The ARMLS Board of Directors, through the Finance Committee, monitors the revenue and expenses of ARMLS while trying to maintain the most service at the lowest cost for the Subscriber. Q. Who is the vendor that provides listing services to ARMLS?
A. FBS Data Systems, Inc. (FBS) provides listing services to ARMLS through flexmls® Web (flexmls.) Q. How do I log into flexmls?
A. At the time you join ARMLS and pay your fees at your local REALTOR® Association, you will be given a user ID and password for your own personal and private use along with the URL to access the system. Q. What do I get as a Subscriber?
A. You will have unlimited access to all features in flexmls including property search, comparative market analysis, ability to post unlimited listings, mapping, tax data, property history, including unlimited training and technical support, and access to the Supra lockbox system (for a fee). ARMLS also brings new technology initiatives, many of which are free, to Subscribers at the basic level with an associated cost for more advanced products. To learn about ARMLS technology initiatives and vendors you can go to the ARMLS Product Catalog. Q. How do I get trained?
A. ARMLS provides training on site at 120 S. Priest Drive in Tempe in its state of the art computer training facility. In addition, ARMLS trainers make site visits throughout the Valley to train at sales meetings and other Subscriber gatherings. View ARMLS classes.
Q. Is there a charge for training?
A. There is no charge for ARMLS training on flexmls.
Q. How do I get a lockbox key?
A. Once you have joined ARMLS, you will be eligible to lease a lockbox key at one of the ARMLS Support Centers conveniently located at or near each of the local Associations (PAR, SAAR, WeMAR, SEVRAR and WPAR). View Support Center locations and phone numbers.
Q. Can I join ARMLS without being a member of an Association?
A. Yes, but subscription to the ARMLS service is only available through a REALTOR® Association and each has different requirements for MLS-only (non-member) access. Contact any of the Associations for details on their programs. Q. How do I find out about changes and upgrades to the system?
A. Changes to flexmls are sent out via email as a flexAlert. Also, changes are posted on the Dashboard of flexmls, which is the screen you see after you log in. Q. Why does ARMLS have so many Rules and Regulations?
A. The data in MLS is used by Subscribers to provide valuable property information to their clients and customers. Inaccurate or unreliable information is a source of liability and can cause serious harm to buyers and sellers. ARMLS also provides statistical information as a Subscriber benefit. If the information in the system is inaccurate, then the statistical outcome is also unreliable. Brokers and Agents make business decisions based on how they perceive the market. If the data they use to analyze the market is unreliable, they run the risk of making poor decisions based on inaccurate information. Q. Can I share my MLS access information with another person?
A. No, this is a violation of the ARMLS Rules and Regulations. See Section 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 of ARMLS Rules and Regulations for details. Q. Where would I find ARMLS Rules and Regulations?
A. ARMLS Rules and Regulations are posted on www.armls.com under the Rules tab. View Rules and Regulations. Q. What should I do if I find another Subscriber violating Rules and Regulations?
A. Each listing in MLS has a Report a Violation button to report any violation. Violation of the Rules are handled under the ARMLS Penalty Policy. Q. What should I do when I find Subscribers behaving unethically or if I have a commission dispute?
A. While ARMLS can address violations of its Rules and Regulations, it has no jurisdiction over ethics complaints or arbitration (money) disputes. These should be directed back to your Broker who can then follow procedures designated by the local REALTOR® Association in accordance with the NAR Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual. Q. Who gives ARMLS the authority to create Rules and Regulations?
The ARMLS Rules and Regulations are written and approved by the ARMLS Board of Directors appointed by the shareholder and client boards on behalf of all ARMLS Subscribers. Q. What happens if I don’t comply with the Rules and Regulations?
A. ARMLS has created a hierarchy of penalties for those who do not comply with the Rules and Regulations. They range from receiving a warning, being fined, appearance before the Board of Directors all the way up to termination of service. The hierarchy of penalties and their remedies can be found in the ARMLS Penalty Policy. |