Comments on: Tucson MLS Withdraws 3000 Listings

By: Bud Hovell

Bud Hovell — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 23:14:21 +0000

If the number in the field is more than 100, it cannot be a commission percentage amount, and if it’s 100 or less, it’s not likely a commission dollar amount unless somebody is working VERY cheap. If it’s a decimal fraction, it’s a commission percentage. Simple to script this fix with virtually absolute certainty of no errors if the agent gets the zeros right.

The MLS board and its software folks couldn’t figure this out on their own to avoid ticking off thousands of customers?

Suggestion to your MLS: tell agents that if they don’t specify a symbol, the software will automatically pick the right one ($ or %) depending on the number they input. Then compile in the logic so agents only have to enter a decimal or a whole number and the code figures out the rest based on the amount.

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 16:20:18 +0000

I agree with Jon there are too many agents that don’t pay enough attention to the listing once the signatures are dry. I think a months notice was plenty of time to fix something in the MLS. However, ARMLS could have been a little more helpful and sent a few more reminders!

By: Kelley Koehler

Kelley Koehler — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 23:54:03 +0000

Johnathan – yeah, you’d think they’d change the software so that you *couldn’t* enter a co-op amount with a % or $. As far as I know, you can still enter just a number without a symbol. Why do you suppose, of the many widespread MLS violations, they took action upon the one that should have the least impact on the public user? Maybe it was just the easiest to enforce? Run a script and voila! Instant compliance.

By: Kelley Koehler

Kelley Koehler — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 23:47:02 +0000

Hi Jon – I don’t know who made the decision, but it came from the MLS board of directors, is my understanding. In fairness to them, agents were warned 6/28/07 that any non-complying listings would be withdrawn, but no deadline was given. The notice of withdrawl just popped up on Tuesday that all non-compliant listings had been withdrawn the day before. While I don’t believe the action was appropriate, there was fair warning.

By: Jon

Jon — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 23:22:20 +0000

Who can we contact at the Tucson MLS to register our displeasure? One thing I will say, is that it sounds like you were on top of things, and that the agents that represented houses that were pulled were not taking care of matters. If I’m purchasing a house that was withdrawn during this time, I know I’m dealing with a seller’s agent that isn’t focused on the job…..

By: More MLS Fun: Tucson Style | Phoenix Real Estate and Homes for Sale - Dalton’s Arizona Homes Blog

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:12:03 +0000

[...] The Housechick reports that the Tucson MLS kicked 3,000 listings out of the system earlier this week because listing agents had failed to include either a dollar sign or a percentage sign in the co-brokerage field – the field that tells cooperating agents what their compensation will be for selling a home. [...]

By: Jonathan Dalton

Jonathan Dalton — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:01:51 +0000

Thinking? It’s an MLS board. They don’t think.

ARMLS won’t allow a commission to be entered without a dollar sign or a percentage amount in the field. It’s built into the software. Seems it might have made more sense for the Tucson MLS to investigate a software adjustment rather than disadvantage 3,000 home sellers … but why look for logical alternatives when you can wield power indiscriminantly.

By: Jay Thompson

Jay Thompson — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 01:09:02 +0000

Wow. Based on what you’re saying here, sounds like a boneheaded move by the Tucson MLS…. what are these people thinking?