News & Past Hot Tips

October 2019

-CRS Tax Hot Tips: When entering a name within the main search bar, parcels that match based on multiple fields will come up as results. For example, if you type in Apple, you will see a list of owner names that begin with Apple, as well as street names that begin with Apple. If you do not see the specific last name or street name you are looking for, click the View More link on the Owner’s Name or Street Address header to see all the matches for the owner or street you are looking for. When printing a parcel detail report, you have the ability to hide sections of the report you do not want to print. On the far right of each section header, you will see a down arrow. Click the arrow to hide the section.

-Looking for WIREX? The link used to switch back and forth from the SCWMLS database to WIREX has been moved. It is now located within the new User Menu which can be accessed by clicking on your name in the upper right corner. Log Out has also been moved here.

-When viewing listings via the Google Map view, layers can be added to provide more information about the parcels. One of these layers is the Parcel Lines layer. If you turn this layer on (icon to the left of the printer icon in the map toolbar), it will display parcel boundaries (zoom in if you do not see them). When you click on a parcel, you will see lot dimensions and total parcel size on the map. In addition, the left panel will display the Google street view as well as owner information. If you would like this parcel layer to always display for you, you can set this via your personal preferences (Preferences – System – Search Options – Parcel Layer).

-You now have the option to quickly save multiple associated documents in a ZIP file. From the documents screen, select the docs you want to save, and click the Export icon from the toolbar. Select Download. You will be given an option to Open or Save the ZIP file. Only public docs are available to select.

–Supra Update Required for iPhone/iPad Users: Apple released a new operating system, iOS 13, for iPhones and iPads, on September 19. A new version of the Supra eKEY app is now available in the Apple app store. Please update your eKEY app to this new version before you update your iPhone or iPad to iOS 13. You may not be able to access keyboxes if you use a previous version of the eKEY app with iOS 13.

-Change for Supra eKEY Safety Alerts: If you have set up the safety alert feature on your Supra eKEY, please note that the format to send an alert for help via a text message has changed for AT&T, Sprint, and US Cellular. Please update your settings in Supraweb as follows for any of your emergency contacts with these carriers. Information for setting up an emergency alert via your Supra eKEY can be found here.

AT&T: 5551234567@mms.att.net
Sprint: 5551234567@pm.sprint.com
US Cellular: 5551234567@mms.uscc.net

Sept 2019

-Delayed Status Reminder: If you enter a future Show Date for either a Delayed or Active listing, please keep the MLS current as to the date showings will be allowed. As is the nature of listings that are not yet ready for showings, the initial Show Date entered is often a best guess. Please keep in touch with your sellers for these properties and update the Show Date to reflect the progress of readiness. Paragon does not automatically move a listing from Delayed to Active on the Show Date entered, as we realize the Show Date can, and often does change. If you have to change a Show Date (either forward or backward), remember to contact agents who have set up a showing based on the original show date, to reschedule based on your new show date. ShowingTime does not do this automatically for you. More information on handling Delayed listings can be found here.

-ShowingTime Hot Tip: Never miss a ShowingTime alert again – install the free ShowingTime Mobile App. Email notifications about showings can sometimes get blocked, delayed, or sent to your spam folder. The ShowingTime app uses push notifications that cannot be blocked. You also have access to showing instructions, feedback, buyer tours, and more while out in the field. Click here for installation instructions and other helpful articles. Attention Yahoo/AOL/Verizon users — if you host your email via Yahoo, AOL or Verizon, please note that these providers have blocked ShowingTime emails several times in the past.

-The MLS does not define what is a bedroom. Listing agents should use common sense when calling a room a bedroom. If you are counting a room as a bedroom that is not a typical bedroom (i.e. does not have a closet, is accessible only by going through another room, etc.), please indicate in the remarks what makes it atypical so that showing agents and potential buyers are informed before a showing. A lower level room that does not meet safety guidelines for a bedroom, however, should not be labeled as a bedroom in the MLS. Click here for requirements from the Department of Safety and Professional Standards regarding lower level bedrooms. MLS rules mandate a photo be included within Paragon showing the egress window for every lower level bedroom.

August 2019

-Email auto-notifications of price changes are sent from Paragon only if the price change is at least .5%. This setting limits the practice of $1 price changes to gain exposure. Within the price column on spreadsheets, a price in red indicates a price decrease, and a price in green indicates a price increase. In addition, if you hover over the arrow, the previous price and percentage of change will display. Price changes are highlighted for 2 weeks.

-Paragon was recently enhanced to more seamlessly integrate with ShowingTime via a widget on the home page. Clicking on these new icons will link you directly to appointments you have requested, appointments on your listings, and other ShowingTime activities available within the version of ShowingTime you subscribe to. This new widget was installed at the top right of your home page. You have the ability to rearrange and collapse all the widgets (Quick Search, Market Monitor, Contact Activity, Calendar, Messages, and Showing Time) on the Paragon home page for your login. Simply click within the blue bar at top of the widget you want to move, and drag it up or down within the left or right panel. To collapse a widget, click on the up arrow within the blue bar at the top of the widget. The middle panel cannot be adjusted.

-If you want to move a list of properties from Paragon to the new CRS Tax Program, pull up the list of properties in Paragon via a search or lookup and select the listings. Once selected, click on the Actions drop down and select View in CRS Data. The selected listings will be imported into CRS and all CRS functions, such as reviewing the assessment/tax info, viewing on the CRS map, and creating mailing labels will be available for this group of listings.

July 2019

-Safety Alert on your Supra eKEY: Agent Alert is a feature built into Supra’s eKEY, providing peace of mind for agents. With the press of a button, agents have a simple discreet method to send an alert message to selected contacts. The message, and up to three contacts are set up in advance. Holding the alert button automatically sends the message to the contacts. The message can be sent as an email or text message. A link to a map of the key’s exact location is included with the message. For more information, click here for written instructions.

-By default, ShowingTime only sends texts and push notifications during the hours of 8 am to 8pm. If you want to receive these alerts at any time, you can change this preference. Within Paragon, click Preferences and Showing Assist. Click on your name within the left panel to open your preferences. Agent Communication is an option under Additional Preferences.

-Input Reminder for Condos: When selecting features for a condo listing, please remember that the features Basement and Parking are for the individual condo unit, not the building as a whole.

-If you have a listing that is not mapped correctly, it may be missed if an agent is searching by map. Please make it part of your routine to always check the map placement when adding a new listing. If the map placement as assigned by Paragon is not correct, you can adjust it under Listing Maintain – Change GeoCode. When the map displays under maintain, click on the red map placement marker and move it as needed. Switching to a bird’s eye view (click the down arrow next to the word Road in the upper left corner) and using the zoom feature helps to pinpoint the exact location. There is also an option to enter the latitude and longitude. Before clicking Save, you may want to zoom out a bit as the zoom level will also be saved. If you are not familiar with the location of a property, our new CRS tax program can help you pinpoint it exactly using the latitude and longitude. Click on the red T from the listing to pull the property up within the CRS tax program. Scroll down to the Property Characteristics: Lot section. The Latitude and Longitude is listed. Copy and paste it into the Change GeoCode option within listing maintain.

Fond du Lac Listings Imported from WIREX: Since June of 2017, we have imported over 8,600 listings from other MLSs, via WIREX, directly into your SCWMLS database to make it easier for you to find them. These listings are located in the 19 counties our SCWMLS members typically list and sell in. The MLS numbers for these listings are prefixed by 2 letters to make the MLS number unique, and to identify them as listings that originated in a different MLS system (i.e. MM for Metro).

On 7/1/19, we added Fond du Lac County listings to these imports. New listings with a list date of 7/1/19 and later are now being directly imported into your SCWMLS Paragon system. It is no longer necessary to switch to WIREX to see new listings for Fond du Lac County. Metro, Northeast and Central WI MLSs have done something similar in that their members can see SCWMLS listings directly in their native systems without switching to WIREX.

June 2019

-Expansion of MLS Rule for MLS Excluded Listings: Back in November, the MLS incorporated a mandatory exclusion form for all residential single family/condominium listings that the Seller has directed to be withheld from the SCWMLS database. At their last meeting, the MLS Board of Directors expanded this rule to apply to all MLS eligible listings, which includes vacant land and multi-family dwellings under 9 units, in addition to single family and condominium listings. This expansion for vacant land and multi-family dwellings under 9 units will take effect for these listings with an effective date of July 1, 2019 and beyond.
Agents are required to submit the fully executed listing contract, along with a completed Seller Certification to the SCWMLS office within 4 days of the effective date. Failure to do so may result in a fine. The updated form can be found here: Seller Certification Authorizing Exclusion of Listing from SCWMLS.

-The number of characters allowed for public remarks has been increased from 600 to 650 characters.

-Listing Firm Name on IDX Websites: When a listing is displayed on an IDX website, the listing firm name must be included on the full listing display. The firm name must be in type that is at least as large and of the same darkness as the type used to describe the property, and must be located in a prominent location within the top third of the page. If a website requires the consumer to login before seeing the full listing display, the listing firm name must also be on the listing summary that displays before the login.

-Two Changes for the Status of Withheld/Delayed: Paragon was recently modified such that listings in the status of Active can no longer be moved to the status of Withheld/Delayed. Once a listing is moved from Withheld/Delayed to Active, there is no option to move it back to Withheld/Delayed. If a listing is Active, and showings are temporarily suspended, the listing should remain Active and a note should be added to the first line of the public remarks indicating when the listing will again be available for showings.

In addition, the description label for the status of Withheld/Delayed has been changed to simply Delayed. There has been confusion regarding Withheld/Delayed versus Withdrawn by Seller, and we hope this will help with the distinction. Delayed should be used for listings that are new, but not yet ready to show. Withdrawn by Seller should be used when a seller decides they no longer want to market or show their property that has been Active in MLS, but the listing broker opts not to release them from their contract.

May 2019

-Within your ShowingTime settings, you have the option to turn on and off notifications alerting you when an appointment request is received, is viewed, and is confirmed/cancelled. In addition, you can also turn on/off alerts informing you that a property you have shown has had a price or status change. To find these settings from within Paragon, click on Preferences, Showing Assist, My Agent Setup (from left panel). Scroll down to Showing Agent Preferences. Options for turning these notifications on/off are the first four settings.

-Appraiser Request: If your listing is part of a Home Owners Association, please include the annual HOA dues as part of the data on Paragon. I often see this listed on the condition report, but it is not included within the listing data. Having it front and center helps me turn around appraisals faster for you. Thank you

-CRS Tax – View Data on Map: A feature of our new CRS Tax program that members have been very impressed with is the larger map view, and the ability to visually see information on the map. For example, you can pull up the map of an area and add a layer showing the owner name, the last sale date/price, and the acreage. To give this a try, first do a search within CRS Tax and display the list of your search matches. From there, click on Map View, View Larger Map, and Change Layers (upper left corner). Open the Labels layer and toggle the layers on to view. Zoom in if labels are too crowded to read.

-Square Footage Reminder: When filling out the field for Finished Above Grade Square Footage, include only the finished area on levels that are 100% above grade (or ground level). None of the square footage on a walk-out lower level with even one wall partially below grade should be included in the Above Grade Square Footage field, even if all the other walls on that level are above the ground.

April 2019

Change Regarding Photo Watermarks:

At their April meeting, the MLS Board of Directors voted to limit what can be used as a watermark on photos in the MLS. The purpose of a watermark is to protect the photo from being copied without permission. The purpose of a watermark is not to advertise a broker brand. For all listings with a list date of 5/1/19 and later, watermarks on photos in the MLS will be limited to the license number of the MLS Participant Broker. As this number is unique, it will serve as a distinctive identifier for photo protection, without presenting a branding opportunity. Photos including a watermark on listings with an effective date before 5/1/19 will not be required to be resubmitted. Photo watermarking is optional, and is currently being done on approximately 6% of listings.

Paragon Updates – April 24

– A prototype showcasing voice technology has been added to the power search. You can now ask Paragon to find a listing. The functionality is currently limited to the Google Chrome browser in Windows, MacOS, and Android.

-The map search screen now opens in a main window opposed to a modal giving you a larger map view to work with. This also provides a better workflow for switching between the map search and other search criteria.

-The ability to pull up your last search and save a search via Quick Search has been added.

-The ability to navigate through listings via an emailed multi-up report is much improved.

March 2019

Paragon Tax to be Replaced with CRS Data

Black Knight, the vendor for Paragon, has partnered with CRS Data, Inc to offer a more robust tax data offering within Paragon. The CRS Tax Search has been turned on in conjunction with Paragon Tax. To try this new program, click on Tax from the top Paragon menu bar. At the bottom of the list of counties click on CRS Data: Tax Search. All counties have been updated with 2018 assessments and taxes. You will also now see two red T action icons. The second will bring you to the new CRS Tax Report. We have not yet scheduled a sunset date for Paragon Tax.

If you use the current Paragon Tax module, we recommend you attend CRS training on April 4th or 5th. CRS trainers will be conducting 90 minute sessions at 9:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 3:00 pm. Training will be held in the WRA Education Center located at 4801 Forest Run Road in Madison. Feel free to bring your laptop, but it is not necessary. There is no need to register. For those who cannot make it, or like to learn in their jammies….here are a few videos. We will also be scheduling live webinars. Watch here for a schedule.

New RatePlug features just in time for Spring

New pre-approval request, new flyer templates, & a bold new look for your buyers!

RatePlug still lets you share accurate home payment estimates from your trusted lenders directly within any property listing you send your clients, but now the process to get your buyers asking questions about their financing earlier is more user friendly!

• No additional cost for SCWMLS members to participate*
• Only promotes your trusted lending sources.
• Delivers interactive, real-time mortgage programs, payments and qualifying information.
• Informs you if your listing is eligible for special financing (FHA, VA, USDA, etc.).
• Includes Property Flyer Program for your listings (now with 15 available templates)

Click here to learn more or take a couple of minutes to opt-in to this tool that is included for FREE as part of your core MLS Subscription!

*lenders do pay a license fee to be displayed.

-Listings in the status of Delayed or Active marked as “no showings until” cannot be shown to prospective buyers by a cooperating agent or by the listing agent. In addition, agents from companies other than the listing company are not allowed to preview these listings. Those found in violation of this rule can be fined up to $15,000 and are subject to suspension of MLS services. This fine and suspension can be applied to both the listing agent and the agent showing the property.

Q: I have a listing in the MLS in the status of Delayed, can I market this listing?

A: Yes, you can market a listing that is in the status of Delayed or Active with “no showings until…”. It is against MLS rules, however, to show this listing to a prospective buyer. Therefore, you should be clear in your marketing that this property is not available to see. If you indicate a date showings will be allowed, this date must match the date listed in the MLS.

Paragon Enhancements/Fixes – 2/27

-The map that displays via search again narrows to user location opposed to the entire region.

-Count/Clear/Search buttons have been added to the top of the quick search to eliminate the need to scroll down if you have added criteria.

-The Contact Activity Widget on the Home Page has been further enhanced for Collaboration Center users. If you are not using the Collaboration Center for your clients, and are still relying on legacy auto emails only, please consider upgrading. This comprehensive video will introduce you to the Collaboration Center.

-The ability to add calculated adjustments within CMA has been added.

-When sharing listings to Facebook, photos were sometimes blurry – this has been resolved.

February 2019

-When entering a new listing, you are asked to provide the source for fields such as acres, square footage, and year built. If you select the option of “Other”, you are required to indicate what “Other” is in either the public or broker-to-broker remarks. If you do not specify, you may be subject to a penalty of $5/day (max $100). An increase in selecting “Other” when the data is easily accessible via assessor records has resulted in complaints, and thus our need to monitor more closely.

-Are You Missing Listings? If you have a buyer requesting to be in a specific school district, do not simply search by the municipality or mailing city you think is serviced by that school district, but rather use the School District search field. There are many instances where school districts span several municipalities and mailing cities, and it is easy to miss listings if you are not aware of all of them. For example, the school district of DeForest spans six different municipalities and five different mailing cities. If you limit your search to the Village of DeForest, you would miss over 30% of properties serviced by the DeForest School District.

Updated Resource: Click here for 2018 Tax/Mill Rates.

-The ability to assign and unassign keyboxes to listings is easily accessible via Paragon. Within Listings – Maintain – Select an Action, there is a link titled Supra Lockbox. Click the Assign link in the upper left corner and enter the keybox serial number and shackle code. Other than being a good way to keep track of where keyboxes are, once you assign a keybox to a listing, you will see the MLS number and address on Supra reports and notifications instead of the keybox serial number.
Quick links to add information for ShowingTime, share to Facebook, and share to Twitter can also be found within this same Integrations section under maintain listing.

January 2019

-New Supra eKEY app: Supra is incrementally releasing a new eKEY app this month. You will know you have received the update, as your eKEY icon will change. Besides a more user friendly design, the new app will allow access to showing data for boxes you have assigned, and include access to some MLS listing data when opening a box. In addition, an option has been added to set a safety alert. Click here for more detailed information. Even though the release notes from Supra indicate you will not need an authorization code, we have had reports that some have needed one. If you are prompted for an authorization code: Call the MLS office (608-240-2800 option 3) OR Call Supra Tech Support (877-699-6787) OR Logon to SupraWEB (desktop) if you have that set up to generate your own Code. You must have location services turned on. Go into your phone settings and enable location services if you do not currently have it turned on.

-The security of clients’ properties is a top priority for all of us. At a recent meeting, the MLS Board of Directors reviewed guidelines used when issuing sanctions for Supra keybox violations. Please note that you and your broker may be assessed a fine of $500 each if you access a keybox without a confirmed appointment, or if you allow another person to use your eKEY. These fines double, and Supra eKEY access may be suspended for a second offense. These penalties are guidelines, and depending on the circumstances may be more severe. In 2018, there were two instances that resulted in keybox sanctions.

-Paragon Enhancements – 12/5/18

-Google Maps Driving Directions has been incorporated within Paragon. Use and presentation is much improved over Paragon Driving Directions. There is a Google imposed limit of nine properties per route, however.

-There have been several improvements to Collaboration Center including the automatic creation of a url for the agents Collaboration Center website. Also, the Contact Activity Widget on the Home Page now contains helpful information and links to Collaboration Center client activity.

-A new Midwest theme banner has been added to your preference options…finally! Go to Preferences -> System -> User Interface.

November 2018

-Database/Profile Sheet Changes: On November 19, we made a few changes to our feature pick lists. These changes were done as a result of both member requests, and our work to align our data fields with Metro Milwaukee and Northeast WI MLSs. The majority of the changes were done within the Business/Commercial property type. A full list of changes can be found here. Updated profile sheets can be found here. Profile sheets have also been updated in ZipForms.

-Rule Reminder: Listings no longer available for showings due to an accepted offer must be moved to the status of Offer-No Show (PND). It does not matter if all contingencies are removed; the deciding factor is if showings are allowed or not. Please make this change as soon as possible. MLS rules mandate this change must be done within 3 days of when the property is no longer available for showings.

October 2018

-Save Time Adding Listings. If you are not currently using the Tax Autofill link when adding a listing, you may want to check it out. Clicking on the Tax Autofill link at the top of the Add Listing screen will take you to the Tax Search page. Locate the property you are adding by parcel number, address, or owner name. Select the tax record, and then click on the Autofill link at the top of the screen. Information such as address, owner, school district, acres, assessments and taxes will be automatically imported into the add-listing screen saving you keystrokes. If the listing agent has provided information that is different from what is auto-filled, you can simply overwrite the auto-filled information.

-Agents with standard agent level security can modify all fields on their listings except those that are contractual in nature (status, price, Y/N questions, and address). These fields can be modified by someone with a higher security level (ex: office staff or broker).

-What Can I Do If My Listing Shows Up For Rent Online?

• Contact the website and ask that the ad be removed.
• Place a sign on the front door clearly stating that the property is NOT for rent and refer any questions to the listing agent.
• Contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection at 800-422-7128.
• Contact the Police Department serving the city your property is listed in.

-The ability to measure distance from one point to another when searching using the map has recently been added. This measurement can be saved along with the map shape(s) as a point of reference. The new measure tool can be found under the Draw option within the map toolbar. Usage tip: After selecting the measure tool, single click on the map anywhere while you have a cross as your cursor — when your cursor turns into a hand, this will select listings, not draw measurement.

-A share to Twitter option has recently been added along with Share to Facebook within Listing Maintenance. Find this new option under Integrations within the Select an Action box while in Maintain Listing. All Active, Pending, and Sold listings for which you are a listing agent can be selected to share via Twitter or Facebook. After clicking on Share to Twitter, you will be given a url to share. Add any message you want and select to Tweet. You will need to have a Collab Center site set up before you can take advantage of this new feature. If you are not currently using Collab Center, you can set up your site under Preferences (in the menu bar at the top of the screen).

-If you change contact information (i.e. email address, phone number, company affiliation), remember to update your Paragon Email Signature (Preferences – Email Signature).

You can store multiple Email Signatures and multiple Message Bodies for inclusion in emails from Paragon. Click Preferences, and Email to access the Email Signature and Message Body folders. Within both of these preferences, you have the ability to set one as your default, and insert any of the others on the fly. When you set up email auto-notification for a contact, you can included any Email Signature and/or Message Body from the list, and that is the signature and/or message body that client will always get. The Message Body will display before the Click Here to View Listings link, and the Email Signature will display after.

September 2018

-Do you or a client have a property to rent? Do you have a client that needs a place to rent? Paragon includes a rental add and search program. Residential rentals can be added by clicking on Listings and Rental. To search for rentals click on Search and Rental. All Paragon users have access to add rentals. Access to the add rental module is not restricted in the same fashion as adding a property for sale. Rentals can be added for 6 months at a time. Click here for a copy of the Rental Profile Sheet. All rentals added to Paragon automatically flow to www.apartments.com.

-When filling out the field for Finished Above Grade Square Footage, include only the finished area on levels that are 100% above grade (or ground). None of the square footage on a walk-out lower level with even one wall partially below grade should be included in the Above Grade Square Footage field, even if all the other walls on that level are above the ground. Click here for a must have resource to help you classify square footage correctly.

-Agents with standard agent level security can now update all room dimensions, room levels, and other room names for their listings within Paragon. In addition to these fields, agents have had the ability to update all pick list features, photos, virtual tours, associated documents, map location, public remarks, broker-to-broker remarks, showing instructions, open house date/time, broker open date/time/comments, and assessment/tax info for their listings.

-We are excited to report that the Northeast Wisconsin MLS is now importing SCWMLS listings directly from WIREX into their local MLS database. If you list a property in any of the following counties, that listing will automatically be loaded into the Northeast WI MLS database for easy access by their members. The counties include: Adams, Brown, Calumet, Dodge, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Portage, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, and Wood.

Since June of last year, we have imported over 5,500 listings from other MLSs, via WIREX, directly into your SCWMLS database to make it easier for you to find them. These listings are located in the 19 counties our SCWMLS members typically list and sell in. Metro MLS has done something similar in that their members can also see SCWMLS listings directly in their Flex system without switching to WIREX.

August 2018

-A new listing share option has been added that will allow you to share listings in SMS, MMS, or instant messenger applications. From the spreadsheet, you will see a new option in the toolbar labeled Share. When you select the listings you want to share, and click the Share button, a URL will be displayed in a modal. This URL can be used to send the group of listings via a text message. The link, when clicked on by the receiver, will display listings in the mobile friendly Collab Center listing view.

-A new Southwest theme banner has been added to your preference options to spice things up! Go to Preferences -> System -> User Interface.

-A feature called map boundary has recently been added within Paragon. In the past, when a user entered search criteria first, and then clicked to open the map search, they were confused because the map did not display the matches for the criteria they had already entered. Now, the map will open with the matches from the criteria you have entered before selecting the map search criteria. The map will automatically open using the best-fit zoom level. There is an icon within the tool bar at the top of the map to turn this boundary off if you would rather your matches not display until after you select your map shape(s). This icon is a green dotted line square with a magnifying glass located to the left of the address search bar.

-If you are providing a Real Estate Condition Report to a buyer, it must be on the most recent version of that form (6 pages versus 2-3 pages). Even if the seller completed the form before 7/1/18, you will need an updated one if that form is provided to a prospective buyer after 7/1/18.

-When entering a new listing, you are asked to indicate, via free form fields, items that are included and excluded in the sale. In addition, there is the opportunity to select some items that are included under feature pick lists (i.e. Washer & Dryer under Interior Features). We encourage you, as a listing agent, to enter the included items in both the free form field and in the pick lists. As a selling agent, please check both places just in case the listing agent has not read this helpful Hot Tip.

July 2018

-The Show Date field is now available for optional entry on active listings. Show Date has been a required field for delayed listings, but was not available for active listings. If a listing is not ready for showings, an agent has the option to put that listing into delayed or active status. If set to active, MLS rules require the listing to include the date showings will begin in the first line of the MLS public remarks. This is still mandatory, as the date showings will be allowed must be made clear on public websites. You can find the Show Date field under the Showing Info section when adding/maintaining a listing. Showing dates are automatically blocked off within ShowingTime until the Show Date.

Important Reminder: If you enter a Show Date for either a delayed or active listing, and have to change that date (either forward or backward), remember to contact agents who have set up a showing based on the original show date, to reschedule based on your new show date. ShowingTime does not do this automatically for you.

-ShowingTime reports that the national average for showing feedback is 72%. SCWMLS members are a bit above average, completing feedback requests 76% of the time

-Within Paragon, you can change the fields that display on the spreadsheet list of properties that come up after a search. Click Customize from the closest toolbar above, and select Fields. The box on the right lists the fields that currently display on your spreadsheet. If you want to remove a field, simply click on the field and click Remove. If you want to add a field from the left box, click on the field and then on Add. If you do not see the field you would like to add, click on the Group box at the top to display different types of fields (i.e. Feature Categories). You can also use the Move Up and Move Down buttons to change the order the fields appear on your spreadsheet. Click on Save and Close to apply your changes. Your customized spreadsheet will now come up each time you display the spreadsheet. There is a Revert to Default button on the bottom if you mess up.

-RatePlug is a valuable tool that lets you share home payment affordability factors directly within any property listing you send your clients, which can get your buyers asking questions about financing earlier, to avoid snags later.

• Displays only your trusted lending sources
• Displays calculations based specifically on the listing being viewed
• Delivers interactive, real-time mortgage programs, payments and qualifying information to your clients
• Identifies special financing options available (FHA, VA, USDA, etc.)
• Includes Property Flyer Program for your listings

Click here to learn more, or to sign up for this tool that is included FREE for MLS members.

3 Common Questions Regarding Delayed Listings:

-My seller is still not ready for showings on day 45…what do I do? A listing can only be in the status of Delayed, or as Active with No Showings for 45 days. If a seller is still not ready to show their property on day 46, an extension can be granted. Simply have the seller provide a request for an extension including the reason why. This can be as simple as an email from the seller saying…I am not ready because the painters have been delayed. Forward this request to the MLS at listings@wisre.com for an extension up to another 45 days. If the MLS does not receive a seller request for an extension, MLS staff will send an email to the listing agent on day 46 as a reminder, and will then move the listing to MLS Suspended.

-Why are some no showings until listings in an Active status instead of Delayed? We are generally seeing two reasons a new listing is not available for showings right away. The first is the property is not ready to be marketed due to needed clean up, timing for professional photos, desired staging, etc. You will find these listings in the Delayed status as the listing agent does not want them to be viewed by the public yet. In the second situation, the property is all ready for public viewing, but the seller and listing agent decide to pick a launch date, often starting with an open house. You will find these listings in Active as the seller and agent want the public to see them. The listings in Active must include the date showings will be allowed in the first line of the public remarks. Our rules regarding “no showings until’ listings have taken both situations into account, and allow agents the flexibility to market these listings as either Delayed or Active.

-I listed a property on Monday, and entered it as Delayed on Friday, why is Days on Market showing as 4 days? For all listings, days on market starts counting at List Date and subtracts days in an off-market status. As this listing was entered 4 days after the list date, the time between the list date and the day entered was counted. If you want to avoid a days on market calculation for your Delayed listings, you should enter them on the list date. For days on market calculations, the list date is day 0 and the day after the list date is day 1.

June 2018

-ADDENDUM 11A to the WB-11 Residential Offer to Purchase: When drafting an offer to purchase on a property that is part of a condominium with a recorded Condominium Declaration and Plat, it is appropriate to use the WB-14 Residential Condominium Offer to Purchase. In some cases, however, a single-family residential property is not subject to a Condominium Declaration and Plat, yet has non-exclusive use and enjoyment of common areas and amenities – such as properties located in Planned Developments, Residential Cooperatives and where the property owners can share in the use and direct or indirect ownership of shared facilities (for example, playgrounds, clubhouses, and beaches). One popular example of this type of property is Tamarack Trails in Madison, WI. To assist with transactions involving this type of property, the SCWMLS Committee and Board of Directors engaged the services of Attorney Pharis Horton to develop Addendum 11A. This is a voluntary form and is designed to be used with the WB-11 Residential Offer to Purchase. The form can be found here.

-Photo Increase to 36 and New Photo Requirement for Lower Level Bedrooms – At their last meetings, the MLS Committee and MLS Board of Directors voted to increase the maximum number of photos allowed per listing from 25 to 36. This program change has been made. In addition, they voted to mandate a photo showing the egress window for every lower level bedroom. This new rule will take effect for all new listings with a list date of 6/1/18 and later.

May 2018

-When searching MLS remarks, you no longer need to include asterisks (* *) around the word or words you are searching for. What….you didn’t know MLS Remarks were searchable? Well….they are! You will find the Remarks search prompt under the Advanced Criteria section of the search parameters. Simply type in the word or words you are looking for. If your buyer would like a property that has a large garden space, type large garden and your search results will include properties for which the listing agent has included the words large garden in the remarks. You can also string together multiple words. For example, if your buyer would like a home on a secluded lot, you could type secluded (tab) private (tab) isolated. Your search will bring back properties for which the listing agent has included any of these words in the remarks. Give it a try the next time you are looking for something there is not a specific search feature for. Also, when composing your remarks, make sure to mention special features not covered elsewhere in the listing features.

-The MLS does not define what is a bedroom. Listing agents should use common sense when calling a room a bedroom. If you are counting a room as a bedroom that is not a typical bedroom (i.e. does not have a closet, is accessible only by going through another room, etc.), please indicate in the remarks what makes it atypical so that showing agents and potential buyers are informed before a showing. A lower level room that does not meet safety guidelines for a bedroom, however, should not be labeled as a bedroom in the MLS. Click here for requirements from the Department of Safety and Professional Standards regarding lower level bedrooms.

April 2018

-Double Exposure for Delayed Listings: Within the Market Monitor on the Paragon home page, the link to New listings includes each new listing created within the number of days you have requested. When a new listing is added as Delayed, it shows up under this New link. We have made a change to also include listings that move from Delayed to Active within the New link. So if you add a listing as Delayed, it shows up once when first added, and then again when it moves from Delayed to Active.

-When viewing a listing in Paragon, one of the links at the top is “correction”. If you click on this link, an email box will open. Use this link to report to the MLS what you believe to be a data inaccuracy on the listing, or a violation of our MLS rules as related to the listing. Since last summer, we have imported over 3,600 listings from other MLSs directly into our Paragon system. The MLS number for these listings begin with a two-characteralpha designation (ie MM for Metro MLS). As rules vary from MLS to MLS, what may appear to be a violation in our MLS, may not be in the source MLS. Therefore, if you report an issue via the correction button for one of these listing, we will pass the report on to the source MLS, but may not be able to “fix it”. Reporters of violations via the correction button are kept anonymous.

-If you click the listing agent name on reports, a box will open showing alternate agent phone numbers and a photo of the agent, if the agent has loaded a photo into Paragon. Agents can load a photo of themselves by clicking on Preferences, User, Agent Image. Agents can also load a logo here.

-We were recently notified by Supra that if you are using the eKEY Supra App on an iPhone with an older operating system, you may have issues entering the last digit of your PIN when trying to obtain the key from a Keybox. Please make sure your phone is updated to the latest iOS (operating system 10.3.3 or higher) to avoid any inconvenience. If you have any questions, please call Supra Technical Support at 877-699-6787.

-The Board of Directors recently fined both an agent and her broker $2,000 each for showing a property to a potential buyer the morning before it was available for all to see later in the day. No showings means no showings…..right up until the minute it is available for all to see. Both the listing side and the showing side can be sanctioned for allowing and taking part in a showing before it is available for all to see. In addition, it is against MLS rules for agents from companies other than the listing company to preview properties not available for showings.

-Arms Length Added to Sale Factor Pick List: To provide a more accurate representation, we have replaced the option of N/A with Arms Length within the list of Sale Factors when moving a listing to SOLD. N/A was included to indicate no special sale factors, which is the same as Arms Length. Arms Length should be selected for all sales that are NOT between friends or family members, between employer and employee, between a parent company and its subsidiaries, or between a trust and its beneficiaries. Most sales are Arms Length.