Rules & Regulations
News and Spotlights: Photos
Text Cannot Be Placed on Photos
Effective Monday, December 5, RMLS Rules (Section 5.4) prohibit adding any
text (regardless of message) to photos uploaded to NorthstarMLS. You may
still enter photo comments/captions in the space provided when you upload
a photo, but you may not digitally alter a photo file to place text directly
on the image. Because photos go to customers and other Web sites through
Broker Reciprocity, the purpose of this rule change is to ensure that inappropriate
and/or outdated information is not released to these audiences. This rule
change takes effect with photos uploaded to NorthstarMLS from December
5 forward (to both new and existing listings). It does not apply to photos
uploaded before December 5. When a violation is reported, RMLS will send
the listing office a Notice to Correct (within 48 hours) before a $100
fine is assessed.
The following RMLS rules changes were approved by the RMLS Board of Governors and took effect 8-9-05:
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No Signs in Photos (including “For Sale” signs) No broker, agent or builder signs or other promotional material may be displayed in photographs uploaded to a listing. This includes “For Sale” signs. Previously, For Sale signs were allowed as long as the broker and agent names and phone numbers were not legible. However, most brokers have distinctive signs (colors, design, etc.) so that the broker could still be identified. This rule change was made to ensure that no listing broker information can be identified through MLS reports or broker reciprocity Web sites. Property photos must be taken before the For Sale (or other promotional) signs are posted. This change is documented in Section 5.4 of the RMLS Rules & Regulations. Note: photos uploaded to listings before the rule change are exempt as long as there is no legible contact information.
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Expired Listings Can Be Reactivated Only Within Three Days of Expiration Date If a listing expires on NorthstarMLS and you renew the contract, you must have your Association reactivate the listing within three calendar days of the expiration date. If more than three days have passed, you must create a new listing (the “Copy By MLS #” function in Home Base can save you a lot of time). This change ensures that contract renewals are reflected on the system in a timely manner, the same as new listings. It is documented in section 3.14 of the RMLS Rules & Regulations.
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Business Opportunities (no real estate) May Now Be Entered in Commercial/Mixed Use RMLS now allows the entry of “Business Opportunity Only” for sale in the Commercial/Mixed Use property type because the Commerce Department considers it a real estate transaction. This change is documented in Section 3.1(g) of the RMLS Rules & Regulations.