Stellar MLS leadership has updated Article 4.6 Listing Remarks in the MLS rules to temporarily accommodate virtual viewings in place of in-person showings for active listings. Agents and brokers can also now advertise unbranded virtual tours in the public and Realtor-only remarks.
“Active” Listing Status Now Permitted with Virtual Tours
Sellers who do not want in-person showings at this time can offer virtual tours instead. As long as a virtual tour is publicly marketed through the MLS for an active listing, the broker/agent/seller will remain in compliance with Clear Cooperation Policy 8.0.
The pre-recorded virtual tour may not include signs or other types of branding that might deter a consumer away from the agent they are working with. Virtual tour URL’s are now also allowed in the Public and Realtor-Only remarks fields in an effort to help assist with the public marketing of a property. If there is not a virtual and/or in-person showing option being advertised for an active listing, it must be put into the Temporarily Off Market (TOM) status.
Virtual Open House Announcements
In response to industry precautions for Covid-19, traditional open house announcements have been temporarily disabled inside of Matrix. Agents now have the option to announce an upcoming virtual open house event. Virtual open houses will continue to be distributed to third party websites if the broker currently participates in listing distribution.
To setup a virtual open house, go to the open house section inside of Matrix and select “virtual” as the open house type (currently, this is the only open house type available), and add your event URL (note: you must add the prefix http:// or https:// to your links or an error message will appear).
Watch Now: How to Set Up a Virtual Open House
Virtual Open House from Stellar MLS on Vimeo.
Live Stream Tutorials
Various platforms offer live streaming. Below we have rounded up some popular providers and linked out to live-stream/video instructions from those companies. While using live-streaming platforms for your virtual needs are helpful during this time, we encourage all agents and brokers to remain mindful of the Code of Ethics protocols surrounding personal branding and advertising to the public as we all navigate the Covid-19 workarounds.
The Stellar MLS Executive Team is currently working with our vendor partners to explore additional virtual solutions to meet the needs of agents, brokers and consumers. Please continue to visit Stellarmls.com/cv19 for the latest news about MLS operations during this time.
Camille Lai
Marketing Specialist
Marketing Specialist