Lender Requesting Copies of MLS Sheets.

[CANative]

I'm not lawyer. But I can read the Ethics Rule. I can also read my MLS regulations and their violation report that states providing unauthorized access to the system or data is up to a $2,500 fine or expulsion from the MLS. So you should consider others, and things you don't know about MLS systems all over the country, before you possibly get other appraisers in trouble with their MLSs just cuz ya want to be a poop head and demand rights you don't have.

At most this might be a violation of the terms of service. A civil matter. Not a criminal matter.

 

[Mr Rex]

What nefarious uses do the AMCs have for the sacred MLS printouts?

 

[Blades]

Our rules clearly state that appraisers can reproduce and attach to a report any information deemed to be non-confidential to support an estimate of value.

A follow up email with the Compliance Dept. confirmed that Agent Copies of Closed Sales are not considered confidential.

 

[Webbed Feet]

The reply from MLS, when I called, was "The AMC is a client, right? Providing the information to them is no different than giving it to a seller or buyer who is your client."

That is wonderful! But I hope a southern Washington appraiser using the RMLS understands that the "Agent" reports (the ones that show the sales price and commission percentages etc.) is a MLS violation for a broker to hand to sellers and buyers. So an appraiser can't hand them out either.

The point is, we shouldn't go posting what our MLS allows without warning others that they had darn well better find out what their MLS allows. Also, from experience in life about such things, get it in writing and then watch out for MLS rules changes in the future. It's nice to say "somebody told me over the phone," it's another when not being able to document that just cost you your MLS access.

 

[Webbed Feet]

MLS Rules, memberships, and your licensure

I just went to the MLS I use and got this in writing off their FAQs..

"Why can’t I e-mail an Agent Full report to my client? The Agent Full report contains confidential information that is for members only."

Again, us posting what "our" MLS allows, or not, is beside the point as to what all MLS allow or not. I don't know about all of you, but I have to join a Realtors organization in order to be allowed access to the local MLS. Nice, I violate the MLS rules and it can spill over into my required Realtors professional organization membership as well as unethical behavior in the use the MLS. NICE... if I have a brain I remember something on my appraisal license renewal form.

Have you EVER been or are you the subject of an investigation, administrative sanction proceeding, hearing, disciplinary action or similar action by any professional organization that has granted or denied you membership?

If I don't have a brain I forget about the above. Perhaps others wish to have to perpetually explain to their state appraisal board, upon every future licensure renewal for all time, what happened when they thoughtlessly handed out "agent" reports of their MLS system just because some AMC wanted them.

Can the confidential information be redacted? Can we use different MLS reports (not "agent")? Can we document our local MLS has no rules about it or grants appraisers an exception? If we can, then fantastic!

But don't tell every appraiser in the U.S. to do it without them knowing and documenting they can.

 

[Blades]

For the record, I've never attached any listing sheet to an appraisal, nor would I ever attach an Agent's Copy. I was more interested in this topic as an agent.

 

[The Dog]

Easy solution. Whoever ordered the report is my CLIENT. My MLS has a client printout. I attach it to the report no problem.

May want to check out the report function on your MLS. Both MLS I belong to have a client feature.

 

[Mile High Trout]

The root cause of that request is to have a sort of desk review type scenario incorporated into the appraisal.

That way any old joe can look over the data and possibly suggest a more appealing high dollar comp. That or a million other related purposes.

An appraiser can still meet this request in a pointed and efficient manner without supplying the whole MLS sheets. There is nothing new about noting considered but unused comparables.

 

[Green Hornet]

That is wonderful! But I hope a southern Washington appraiser using the RMLS understands that the "Agent" reports (the ones that show the sales price and commission percentages etc.) is a MLS violation for a broker to hand to sellers and buyers. So an appraiser can't hand them out either.

The point is, we shouldn't go posting what our MLS allows without warning others that they had darn well better find out what their MLS allows. Also, from experience in life about such things, get it in writing and then watch out for MLS rules changes in the future. It's nice to say "somebody told me over the phone," it's another when not being able to document that just cost you your MLS access.

I realllllly wanted them to tell me that it was illegal and that I could not do it.

I agree, each is different and best to check.

 

[CANative]

Where did anyone suggest including agent copies of the listings?