MLS Orientation - Yolo County Association of REALTORS

MetroList
Orientation
& Resource
Guide
2014 Edition
© 2014 MetroList Services, Inc. | Published April 24, 2014
Welcome to MetroList !
®
We are excited you have elected to participate in MetroList®, Northern California’s largest
Multiple Listing Service (MLS). With 17,000 subscribers, MetroList® gives you direct access to
Prospector, one of the most powerful web-based real estate software packages in the industry.
Each day, thousands of licensed real estate agents logon to Prospector to search, list and obtain
information about real estate in Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Yolo, San Joaquin, Stanislaus
and Western Merced Counties. In addition, through reciprocal agreements and regional MLS
affiliations, MetroList® delivers easy access to many other Northern California MLSs at no
additional cost.
The MetroList® Orientation and Resource Guide will acquaint you with MetroList®, Prospector,
TrendVision, Quattro, MetroListPRO Websites, FIND and the many value added products and
services that will help you list and sell more real estate. Welcome to MetroList®, we are at your
service!
PLACER
EL DORADO
YOLO
SACRAMENTO
SAN
JOAQUIN
STANISLAUS
MERCED
2014 Edition
Contents
Page 4
Prospector, The MLS System
Page 5 Local and Regional Listings
Page 6
Nationwide Listings
Page 7 Statewide Property Tax Records (powered by Realist)
Page 8
Keybox System (provided by Supra)
Page 9 Lockbox Keys (provided by Supra)
Page 10 Lockbox Access in 24 Counties
Page 11 Market Statistics (powered by TrendVision)
Page 12 The Official MLS “Consumer/Public” Search Sites
Page 13
Take Your Marketing To The Next Level
Products and Services To help Grow Your Business
Page 18
Education and Training
Page 19
MLS Rules and Compliance
Page 20
Subscriber Services
Page 22
MetroList® Offices and Regional Administrative Centers
Page 23
The Most Asked About MLS Rules
3
MetroList Services, Inc.
Prospector, The MLS System
Powered by Rapattoni, Prospector is one of the most advanced, Multiple Listing Service
technologies delivering powerful features and benefits to MetroList® users. Every day thousands
of real estate professionals depend on Prospector to help LIST and SELL more properties, which
is why MetroList® and Rapattoni spend countless hours to ensure Prospector has the most up-todate tools, features, resources and detailed reports.
Some highlighted features of Prospector:
• Easy-to-Use “Add Listing Module”
• Mobile Access
• Intuitive Search Capabilities
• Customized and User-Friendly Home
Page and Reports
• Numerous Report Features
• Auto-Prospecting with Client Portal
• 24 Hour Market Watch and
Hotsheet Reports
• Map Search Capabilities
• And Much More!
• Comparable Market Analysis (CMA)
To logon to Prospector, you will need the Agent ID and Password which were provided to you
when you joined. When logging on for the first time you will be asked to enroll in MetroList’s
Adaptive Authentication system which utilizes multi-factor authentication to insure user
convenience and security.
IMPORTANT REMINDER WHEN ENROLLING
It is important that you remember the following steps when you enroll in MetroList’s Adaptive
Authentication in Prospector:
- Answer the security questions with valid answers that you can remember
- Check the “Remember This Computer” box
To logon to Prospector, go to prospector.metrolist.net.
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MetroList Services, Inc.
Local and Regional Listings
Local Listings
With your subscription to MetroList, you have complete access to enter and search local listings in seven
Northern California Counties that make up the MetroList Service Area and regional access to 17 additional
counties at no additional cost.
Regional Listings (Quattro Alliance)
Expand your reach with access to neighboring MLSs without having to be a subscriber of, or pay fees to,
multiple MLSs. MetroList brokers and agents can list and sell real estate in 24 northern California counties
through the Bay Area Real Estate Information Service, Inc., Bay East Association of REALTORS®, Contra
Costa Association of REALTORS®, East Bay Regional Data, Inc., MLSListings, Inc., Nevada County Association
of REALTORS®, San Francisco Association of REALTORS®, and Sutter-Yuba Association of REALTORS®.
MetroList ®
BAREIS MLS ®
Mendocino
Nevada
Sutter
Lake
Yuba
Yolo
Sonoma
Placer
El Dorado
Sa
cr
am
Napa
to
San Francisco
Santa
Cruz
EBRDI
BEAR
Alameda
San
Mateo
SFAR
CCAR
San
Joaquin
Contra
Costa
NCAOR
MLSListings
en
Solano
Marin
Sutter-Yuba
Stanislaus
Santa
Clara
Merced
San
Benito
Monterey
Locate the Single Sign On (SSO) module on your Prospector Home Page
and select Quattro or the MLS you wish to access.
5
MetroList Services, Inc.
Nationwide Listings
With over 121 million properties, Find is the Ultimate
Nationwide Real Estate Research Tool! Rather than
being a listing centric system, like an MLS system or
Realtor.com, Find is a property centric system. This
means you can search all properties with available data within the U.S. regardless of whether
they are For Sale, For Rent, Recently Sold or Not For Sale. This incredible database is available to
MetroList MLS Participants and Subscribers.
• 121 Million Property Records
• Nationwide Tax Record Information
• Every Listed Property in Realtor.com with Over 900 MLSs Nationwide Contributing
• Community Comparison Feature
• Property Search Reports
• Google-like Search (Native Language)
• Detailed MLS Listing Information in 19 California Counties (and Growing)*
*MetroList® helped innovate Deep Reciprocal Linking in FINDSM which provides Listing
Detail Records from participating MLSs.
Locate the Single Sign On (SSO) module on your
Prospector Home Page and select Find.
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MetroList Services, Inc.
Statewide Property Tax Records
All MetroList® Participants and Subscribers have easy access to
Realist®, the premier provider of California statewide property
tax records. Integrated into Prospector, Realist® offers searchable
access to tax records in all 58 California counties. Some exciting
features included in Realist® are Search Pre-foreclosure, Bank Owned and Auction Properties,
Generate CMA’s, Mapping Tools, Mortgage History & Rate Information, Search Customization and
the ability to run up to 5,000 mailing labels per month.
Locate the Menu Bar at the top of the
Prospector Home Page and select Tax.
7
MetroList Services, Inc.
Keybox System
The MetroList Keybox system is designed to provide a convenient access control system for Participants
and Subscribers who list properties in Prospector. MetroList uses the Supra iBox, among the most
advanced technologies in the industry.
Supra iBoxes
Ensuring listing access to all MetroList® Participants and Subscribers,
MetroList® is responsible for the distribution of Supra iBoxes to
its Participants and Subscribers in the primary county areas it
serves. iBoxes are access control devices which provide a means for
Participants and Subscribers to enter listed properties. In addition,
iBoxes digitally record all access history to the property and are a
valuable tool for access follow-up.
iBox Benefits
• Helps agents better serve their clients by giving them
greater flexibility and control over access to listed
properties.
• Provides a convenient access control system.
• Tracks buyer’s agent showings.
• Slim design, large key compartment.
• Works with any Supra infrared key.
• Configure iBox to allow listing access at a time to best fit
your client’s schedule or restrict access using the Call Before
Showing (CBS) Feature.
• Assign your iBox to listing for showing activity, detail reports
and tracking iBox inventory.
Locate the Single Sign On (SSO) module on your
Prospector Home Page and select SUPRAweb Lockbox settings.
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MetroList Services, Inc.
Lockbox Keys
Lockbox Keys contain unique identifiers which identify every Participant and Subscriber
when used on iBoxes to access listings. Lockbox Keys are assigned individually to
Participants and Subscribers and may not be shared.
MetroList® offers two lockbox Key options: the ActiveKEY or Smartphone eKey
software. Choose the option that best fits your needs.
ActiveKEY
The Supra ActiveKEY™ is designed to be active and ready to open iBoxes
when you go to use it. The ActiveKEY updates itself automatically and
seamlessly connects to cellular towers to provide the BEST coverage.
Stays updated for 24 hours so you can open iBoxes even when there is
no cell coverage. Showing notices are delivered to the ActiveKEY over
cellular networks or to an optional email address so the listing agent can
know right away when a property has been shown.
The eKEY
An eKEY App, along with a Universal Fob, enables most
smartphones, tablet and iPad devices to become your lockbox
key. The eKey App on your device wirelessly updates so you can
do business anywhere. Supra offers both eKEY Basic and eKEY
Professional service.
eKey Basic turns your smartphone into a lockbox key, allowing you
to send and receive real-time showing information and manage and
track lockboxes, eliminating the need for an ActiveKey.
eKEY Professional adds searchable confidential MLS data to your
phone, links Google maps to the listings, and can deliver showing
details to your phone.
Contact a MetroList Administrative Center
for more information on lockbox service.
9
MetroList Services, Inc.
Lockbox Access in 24 Counties
Reciprocal Access
MetroList is making it easier to show listings in 24 Northern California Counties without being an MLS
subscriber of the cooperating MLS or Association. To program your key for co-op keyholder access in
other areas, please contact the appropriate MLS or Association (a co-op key fee may apply). Contact
information can be found on the MetroList Information Center on Prospector.
MetroList ®
BAREIS MLS ®
Mendocino
Nevada
Sutter
Lake
Yolo
Sonoma
Placer
Yuba
El Dorado
Sa
cr
am
en
Napa
to
San
Joaquin
Contra
Costa
San Francisco
Alameda
San
Mateo
Santa
Cruz
Stanislaus
Santa
Clara
NCAOR
SFAR
MLSListings
CCAR
Solano
Marin
Sutter-Yuba
Merced
EBRDI
BEAR
Note: Color coding
corresponds to the
MLS Geographic areas
that share the same
key code.
San
Benito
Monterey
To program your key please contact the Cooperating MLS or Association.
Contact information can be found on the MetroList Information Center.
10
MetroList Services, Inc.
Market Statistics
TrendVision is a powerful software program integrated with
Prospector that delivers in-depth real estate statistics and
market reports. This incredible tool enables users to provide the
Professional Market Reports
most up-to-date market information to their clients. There is no
additional charge for accessing and using this highly valuable real estate analysis software.
Two Examples of the many charts
available in TrendVision MLS
Market Reports
Locate the Menu Bar at the top of the
Prospector Home Page and select Trends.
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MetroList Services, Inc.
The Official MLS “Consumer/Public” Search Sites
Helping MetroList Participants
and Subscribers list and sell more
real estate is among our highest
objectives. That is why MetroList
operates two real estate websites
(metrolistmls.com and metrolistpro.
com) providing consumers with the
most timely and up-to-date real
estate data. Unlike national real estate websites, MetroList does not allow for any commercial or real
estate advertising. In fact, our sole goal is to bring added value to our Participants and Subscribers by
giving consumers a LOCAL and more reliable alternative to the plethora of national real estate websites.
Each listing on metrolistpro.com and metrolistmls.com provides the name, phone number and a link to
the listing agent’s website at no additional cost. If an agent does not have a website, MetroList provides
a Free Agent Profile (i.e. a free mini website) to help you generate leads (see box below for instructions
on how to set up your Profile).
Free Agent Profiles
With your subscription to MetroList,
you receive a free Agent Profile
personalized with your photograph,
company logo and professional profile.
The online profile also showcases your
Featured Listings with a slideshow and
webpage. MetroListPRO Agent Profiles
are generated and can be changed instantly in the Agent Profile section on Prospector. It is
important to keep your profile current so that leads can be sent to you.
To update your profile including your photo, click Admin on your Prospector Menu Bar and
select Modify Your Profile. You MUST enter a valid email address to receive your leads.
To be seen in MetroListPRO.com, on your Prospector Home Page,
locate “Admin” on the navigation bar and select Modify Your Profile.
12
MetroList Services, Inc.
Expand Your Marketing Reach!
MetroList® offers its own unique blend of high quality
Real Estate marketing tools exclusively available to our
Participants and Subscribers. MetroList® has researched
and tested these products so that you have access to the
best industry resources to help you list and sell more homes.
MetroList® has negotiated low cost pricing along with other
valuable benefits including: no annual contracts (some
products have discounted annual contracts) and no start-up
or set-up fees. MetroList® has integrated these products into
Prospector for easy and complete access.
Market Snapshot
Locate the Single Sign On (SSO) module on your Prospector Home
Page and select the product you desire.
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MetroList Services, Inc.
Expand Your Marketing Reach!
MetroListPRO Websites To Fit Your Needs
Agent Website
Designed specifically for the individual agent, MetroListPRO Agent Websites help real estate
professionals have an instant and user friendly website presence on the Internet. Professionally
designed, robust and data rich, these
websites are specially priced for MetroList®
Participants and Subscribers. The websites
come with MLS property Search tools,
no start-up or set-up charges, no annual
contract and are managed from the agent’s
Prospector Portal Page.
Team Website
The Team Website offers real estate teams
a great way to professionally showcase
their real estate team members, listings,
generate new business, and be more
competitive online. For more information
about Team Websites and how to get
started, call MetroList®.
Office Edition Website
The Office Edition is the newest online marketing product available to MetroList® Broker Participants
who want an affordable, professional, and state-of-the-art web presence. The Office Edition offers
brokerages a great way to professionally showcase their agents and listings, generate new business,
and be more competitive online. For more information about the Office Edition and how to get
started, call MetroList.
To sign up, locate the Single Sign On (SSO) module on your
Prospector Home Page and select MetroListPRO.
14
MetroList Services, Inc.
Expand Your Marketing Reach!
Listings on Your Facebook Page & Website
Internet Data Exchange, most commonly referred to as IDX, is how MLS listing data end up on a
website or Facebook page. As the True Source for MLS Listing data, MetroList provides three low
cost professional IDX products to place listings on your Facebook page and website. By displaying
your listings along with all available real estate inventory, your clients and those searching for their
next home will make your Facebook page and website their one-stop shop for searching the MLS.
MetroListPRO Facebook IDX
MetroListPRO Facebook IDX allows your Facebook visitors to
search MLS properties, view your listing inventory and contact
you - all within Facebook. Your listings are added to your Featured
Listings tab automatically, and each property detail page includes:
large photos, Google Maps/ Street View, GreatSchools and Walk
Score data.
MetroListPRO Wordpress IDX Plugin
The MetroListPRO WordPress IDX Plugin integrates quickly and
seamlessly into your WordPress website or blog. Your visitors
enjoy a streamlined user interface and tastefully presented listing
information. Your own listings are attractively showcased, and
there are ample lead capture opportunities on every page.
MetroListPRO IDX/MLS Search
MetroListPRO IDX packages enable you to add search engineindexable listings, powerful MLS search, and proven lead
generation technology to your real estate website. A fast, reliable
MetroList® MLS search engine is combined with Search Engine
Optimization(SEO)-friendly pages that generate more traffic and
leads. MetroListPRO IDX gives you a polished online presence
and helps you provide outstanding service to your clients.
To sign up, locate the Single Sign On (SSO) module on your
Prospector Home Page, and select MetroListPRO.
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MetroList Services, Inc.
Expand Your Marketing Reach!
Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)
Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) is the term real estate professionals use when they conduct an
in-depth analysis of a home’s worth in today’s market. Because of the complexity of determining a
home’s value, MetroList has researched and selected two preferred CMA software vendors -- Cloud
CMA and HomesConnect. Both offer attractive products along with special MetroList Participant and
Subscriber pricing.
Cloud CMA is an online report generator that includes four report sets: buyer tours, property reports,
listing flyers, and real estate’s most innovative CMA. With Cloud CMA you can generate reports for
buyers and sellers with the most comprehensive, informative, personalized, and eye catching reports
in real estate! With Cloud CMA users can easily create amazing presentations from a desktop/laptop
or mobile smartphone, with exclusive blended data from top websites including Google, Zillow,
Education.com, Walk Score, Yelp and more.
Leverage Powerful Lead Conversion Tools with HomesConnect from Homes.com and get all of the
marketing tools you need to win more listings, attract more buyers and close more business! As
a MetroList Subscriber, you can access these great features in your HomesConnect dashboard in
Prospector:
Contacts, Tasks and Leads Manager | Lead Gator | Homes.com Facebook App
Social Prospecting | Email Campaigns
Upgrade to HomesConnect Pro and benefit from:
CMAzing | Design Center | Neighborhood Envoy | Social Broadcaster
More information, locate the Single Sign On (SSO) module on your
Prospector Home Page, and select Cloud CMA and HomesConnect.
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MetroList Services, Inc.
Expand Your Marketing Reach!
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
MetroList Business Builder – Powered by NetAspects is an
integrated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool.
Business Builder combines business processes, people, and
technology to achieve this single goal: attracting and maintaining
satisfied customers. It’s an overall strategy to help you learn
more about your customers and their behavior so you can
develop stronger, lasting relationships that will benefit both you
and your customers for life. With Business Builder you have the
ability to keep your customers informed through Automated
Email Marketing Campaigns and one of the most robust Property
Search Websites in the Industry.
Market Snapshot
How’s the real estate market? Do you think I can sell
my home and make some money? Is it a good time
to buy? Buyers and sellers fire these questions at you
every day, and according to Baylor University’s “What
do Consumers Expect from Real Estate Agents” study,
answers to these questions are exactly what consumers
want from their Agents and Brokers.
To dominate your local real estate market, you’ve got to be the neighborhood expert, and
Market Snapshot arms you with the local knowledge you need to give consumers the market
insights they crave.
More information, locate the Single Sign On (SSO) module on your
Prospector Home Page, and select Business Builder or Market Snapshot.
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MetroList Services, Inc.
Education and Training
The Education Department is responsible for the ongoing
education and training of MetroList® Participants,
Subscribers and Clerical Users. The Education Team focuses
on helping you maximize your knowledge, understanding
and use of the Prospector MLS system. In addition, our
experienced and well-qualified training specialists provide
education and support on the full range of MetroList®
products, services and tools.
We offer many educational opportunities including
Webinars, Lecture Style Classroom Training, Hands-on Workshops, ‘In Your Real Estate Office’ Training
and Informational Seminars. All Training is FREE and we encourage you to take full advantage of these
various educational offerings.
Our goal is to provide you with unsurpassed knowledge so you can best serve your clients with
invaluable information as they make one of the biggest decisions in their life…Buying and/or Selling
their Home! We look forward to seeing you in one of our many classes!
MetroList® Offers
Education Classes To
Meet Your Needs
In Office Training
Classroom Training
Webinars
Hands-On Workshops
Informational Seminars
For a complete list of offerings and/or to register for a class, locate the
Welcome box on your Prospector Home Page, and select the Training icon.
18
MetroList Services, Inc.
MLS Rules and Compliance
The MLS Rules are the cornerstone to how
MetroList® Participants and Subscribers interact
with the real estate data that allows the MLS
system to operate equitably and with the
highest level of data integrity.
At MetroList®, one of our most important
responsibilities is to ensure the integrity and
proper maintenance of the MLS data. With
thousands of real estate professionals relying on
the integrity of the data, our team of Compliance staff professionals work hard every day to make
certain that information is entered correctly so that you can provide up-to-date and meaningful
information to your clients.
The Compliance Department is also tasked with rules enforcements. All complaints filed with the
Compliance Department will be reviewed.
How To Report An MLS
Rule Violation
Maintaining the integrity of the MLS Data is
paramount to our Participants and Subscribers.
Inside each MetroList® listing is a link to report
suspected MLS Rules violations. All reported
complaints are processed by the Compliance
Department, and validated compliance issues
take approximately 3-5 business days to resolve.
For the most up-to-date MLS Rules, locate the Welcome box on your
Prospector Home Page, and select the MetroList Information Center.
19
MetroList Services, Inc.
Subscriber Services
At MetroList we pride ourselves on delivering the highest level of service and satisfaction to our
Participants and Subscribers. Our professional, dedicated and knowledgeable staff is here and ready
to assist you. Whether you have questions about how to access Prospector, purchase a lockbox or
solving your technical support issues, simply call or visit any MetroList Office. We will provide you the
information to get you on your way.
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Questions about your service
Prospector technical support
Automatic bill payments and billing questions
Keybox questions and support
New account set-up or changes
Reciprocal access
MetroListPRO products and support
MLS Rules questions
And more
Payments may be submitted online through the Pay Online link located in the
Welcome box on your Prospector Home Page; by phone or mail to the
MetroList’s Subscriber Services Department; by phone or in-person
at one of our Administrative Center locations.
20
MetroList Services, Inc.
Subscriber Services
Questions? Call us! Every member of our services’ team is well-equipped to answer your
questions.
Subscriber Services
Monday – Friday | 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(916) 922-7584 or outside the 916 area code, call (888) 898-9788.
Option 1 - Subscriber Services
Option 2 - Technical Support
Option 3 - Education and Training
Option 4 - MLS Rules Compliance
Email Us
Emails are checked throughout the business day and are responded to within 24 hours. Emails
sent on Friday, Saturday or Sunday will be replied to no later than the next business day.
Subscriber Services | [email protected]
Technical Support | [email protected]
Education and Training | [email protected]
MLS Rules Compliance | [email protected]
MetroList Information Center
The MetroList Information Center is your online resource for MetroList forms, documentation
and information. You will find the MLS Rules, MLS Reciprocal Access, Keybox System, Training
Calendar, MLS Office Locations, Property Profile Sheets, News and much more. Get your
questions answered quickly by clicking MetroList Information Center on the Welcome Page.
For phone support, call (916) 922-7584 or outside 916 area code (888) 898-9788.
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MetroList Services, Inc.
MetroList Offices and Regional
Administrative Centers
For your convenience, MetroList has several regional offices and administrative centers located
throughout our service area. Each location is staffed with friendly and knowledgeable representatives
who can assist you. Some of the services include:
Applying for Participation - Participant, Subscriber or Clerical User Service | Applying for KeyBox
System Access | Service, Listing and Information Change Requests | Purchasing of Supra Equipment |
Processing Payments | And much more!
MetroList® Corporate Offices
P.O. Box 340340
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 922-7584 | Fax (916) 922-1835
Regional Administrative Centers
El Dorado County Association of REALTORS®
P.O. Box 627
4096 Mother Lode Drive
Shingle Springs, CA 95682
(530) 676-0161 | Fax (530) 676-0180
Modesto Office
1620 North Carpenter Road, Suite D48
Modesto, CA 95351
(888) 898-9788 x 330| Fax (209) 549-7079
Lodi Association of REALTORS®
Lodi Office
777 South Ham Lane, Suite B
Lodi, CA 95242
(209) 368-5316 | Fax (209) 368-8289
Stockton Office
1811 Grand Canal, Suite 7
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 954-4195 | (209) 954-4196
Placer County Association of REALTORS®
4750 Grove Street
Rocklin, CA 95677
(916) 624-8271 | Fax (916) 624-8023
Sacramento Association of REALTORS®
2003 Howe Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 922-7711 | Fax (916) 922-1221
Yolo County Association of REALTORS®
449 Elm Street
Woodland, CA 95695
(530) 666-4253 | Fax (530) 666-7444
Office hours vary by location. Please check with your local MetroList office
or administrative center for their regular business hours.
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MetroList Services, Inc.
The Most Asked About MLS Rules
To ensure the integrity of the MLS data and the cooperative nature of the MetroList MLS, it
is important that you keep this top ten list of the most asked about MLS Rules close by and
handy for your ongoing reference. This list does not replace the MLS Rules, but helps in
addressing some of the most frequently asked questions.
1. Your Agent Id, Password and Lockbox Key are provided for your use only.
Never share them with anyone.
2. All listings entered into the MLS must have a valid listing agreement.
3. All data entered into the MLS about your listing should be accurate, timely and
meaningful.
4. Enter your listing within three (3) business days of receipt of all required signatures.
Report all changes in status within three (3) business days.
5. Report all pending sales and sold listings within three (3) business days.
6. You may not use an offer to purchase to modify the unilateral offer of compensation
published in the MLS.
7. Any instruction to modify your listing must be in writing from your seller(s).
8. Use of MLS Content on your website must comply with the IDX Definition in the MLS
Rules and the IDX Guidelines.
9. All properties listed with the MetroList MLS that use a Keybox for access to the listing
by Participants and Subscribers shall so indicate in the MLS listing information.
10. Always follow the showing instructions of the listing broker.
11. A listing that was withheld with a waiver or sold outside the MLS does not qualify for
entry into the MLS as a sold listing.
For the most up-to-date MLS Rules, locate the Welcome box on your
Prospector Home Page, and select the MetroList Information Center.
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MetroList Services, Inc.
MetroList Services Inc.
1164 West National Drive, Suite 60
Sacramento, CA 95834
© 2014 MetroList Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved