Realtors Entering False Or Misleading Information In MLS

[JTip]

Is there anything that can be done about this?

Join the MLS Committee/BOD and help change/amend/enforce the rules.

Whining will get nothing done.

 

[CindyR]

Our MLS has a 'report an error' button and i think i clicked on it 20 times today. they do follow up on some errors and often the data is corrected. they also have a data integrity department that does fine agents for some types of errors. wrong sale price is a big one - if the agent self reports it and has it corrected they don't have to pay the fine but when i report it and the board brings it to their attention then the fine is levied. some errors are surely intentional; some are just stupidity.

actually our MLS sent out a news article today explaining some complex MLS data fields to agents. things like tandem garage and number of interior levels and i swear i reported errors on both these topics in the past couple months.

 

[Amy Perkins]

They are trying to sell something and not upset their clients. Look at the pictures. If their are no pictures they are either ripping someone off, the deal was already made, or the house looks horrible. You need to read between the lines. Most of the time I end up calling them and just asking point blank, why did it sell so low? Or high for that matter... Most of them will tell you the truth if you ask and tell them who you are.

 

[Slappy]

Over my way too many years in this business I have developed a healthy cynicsm in regards to realtors and loan agents. I expect MLS info to be fluffy and puffy and cherry picked. When I talk to realtors, I do not expect integrity or insight but information. They have been inside the property and many of the comps and can provide a wealth of information. You just have to take it with a grain of salt. The older appraisers (like me) can remember what it was like before 3 page MLS printouts with 20 photo attachments. We had quarterly MLS "sales books" and then dot matix 1 page printouts (Wow!). We could not do our jobs without realtor input. I remember part of my training program was learing the importance of developing relationships with "good" realtors as our info sources back then were so basic.

 

[TC]

Over my way too many years in this business I have developed a healthy cynicsm in regards to realtors and loan agents. I expect MLS info to be fluffy and puffy and cherry picked. When I talk to realtors, I do not expect integrity or insight but information. They have been inside the property and many of the comps and can provide a wealth of information. You just have to take it with a grain of salt. The older appraisers (like me) can remember what it was like before 3 page MLS printouts with 20 photo attachments. We had quarterly MLS "sales books" and then dot matix 1 page printouts (Wow!). We could not do our jobs without realtor input. I remember part of my training program was learing the importance of developing relationships with "good" realtors as our info sources back then were so basic.

You guys were high tech, we had a thermal printer for our printouts.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Are you finding the same realtors continually enter false or incomplete info?

We have one agency that about half their listings "puff" the square footage up. I have no idea where they get these numbers sometimes, but usually you can find that they add porches, attic rooms, or basements to the GLA. They know the difference. And recently I saw a listing that had the wrong address TOWN (on Realist but the actual assessor records were correct. They put in the address town of the owner rather than the address town of the property. I emailed the agent who emailed back that she knew that but the person inputting it insisted they leave it alone. I think this is going to be the last year I waste money on the MLS. I find on line info just as informative from Zillow, Realtor.com, and other non-expensive sources.

 

[Slappy]

Ah yes, thermal printers. They were cool, but the ZZZZZZZIIP, ZZZZZZIIPP, CLICKY CLACK of the ole dot matrix printer is the sound of good appraisal money to me

 

[Restrain]

You want some fun, here is 'Eye of the Tiger' performed by dot matrix printer. And yes,it is great!

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Our local/regional Association of Realtors re MLS information Accuracy Announcement

SQUARE FOOTAGE
Apr 11, 2017


Every listing should contain an estimated square footage which properly represents the existing or approved taxable living space.
You cannot enter an amount in the “Estimated Square Footage” box that is NOT considered Taxable Livable Space by the Tax Assessor for the municipality in which the property sits….. This means a Listing may not include Garage, Basement or other unfinished sq. ft. into the Estimated Square Footage even if the listing agent discloses the same in remarks……. In very rare instances, where Basement Sq. Ft. has been deemed by the town to be taxable living space it may be included, however, that is extremely rare and should only be done where there is a C of O clearly delineating the same and the tax assessor has assessed the property based on that finished living space. A Listing may in the Remarks section denote the amount of unfinished storage space available in the premises.
With regard to New Construction, estimates of square footage may only include the square footage of the approved proposed construction. No basement, garage or other non-living space may be included unless the plans as approved for construction by the Board of Health and Building Department have previously approved the finishing of such area as Taxable Living Space. If the taxes have not been assessed (and therefore no square footage set) and no building plans approved, this is the only time you are authorized to enter zero or leave blank the Estimated Square Footage. At which point you should address the same in your remarks. Otherwise every listing should contain an estimated square footage which properly represents the existing or approved taxable living space.
If your listings currently have over-inflated or under-inflated Estimated Square Footage – correct them now – or the MLS will have no other choice but to fine the offices when we receive complaints and it is determined that the square footage is incorrect.

 

[CindyR]

Our local/regional Association of Realtors re MLS information Accuracy Announcement

SQUARE FOOTAGE
Apr 11, 2017


If your listings currently have over-inflated or under-inflated Estimated Square Footage – correct them now – or the MLS will have no other choice but to fine the offices when we receive complaints and it is determined that the square footage is incorrect.

"under-inflated" is a very interesting term... Do they define what is 'properly inflated'?
Actually, 'over-inflated' is rather redundant as well.