Newsletter

September 2023

Identifying Cash Offers -- New Y/N Question at Time of Sale 

The MLS Committee and MLS Board of Directors recently voted to begin collecting whether or not there is a financing contingency at the time the offer is accepted.  Currently, when moving a listing to Sold status, you are required to enter the type of financing at closing.  Beginning on September 5, you will be prompted with this new question when moving a property to Sold Status:  Cash offer at acceptance?  This new question will be required.  Hopefully this new data point will be helpful when analyzing sold data.

Still Filling out Paper Profile Sheets for New Listings?

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All agents have the ability to enter listing data directly into Paragon (Listings –> Add Listing) and save it as a partial. This option streamlines the add listing process by allowing agents to directly key in listing data as opposed to filling out paper profile sheets. Partial listings can then be reviewed and saved as live listings by users with office administrative access.

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When entering a partial listing, an agent should make note of the partial listing number that is assigned so they can pass it on to their office listing administrator (along with any documentation required by their office). If the listing should be entered in a status other than Active, that should also be noted. Administrators can then pull up the partial listing to complete under Listings -> Maintain Partials.

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A Few Tips:

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• Save time by using Tax Autofill to pull in data from public records.
• Some fields have a magnifying glass icon, which will display the available selection options for that field. Other fields have a question mark icon, which will provide an explanation of how to complete the field.
• Select “Save as Partial” several times along the way to save your work.
• Photos and documents can be added via the links to the left of the data entry fields.
• Before handing off to your administrator, click “Save Listing” to trigger input rules to make sure you have not missed any required information. Click the red triangle to jump to the field that contains missing information. Status will be entered by your administrator.

Describe the Property, Not the People

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When marketing a listing, a good rule of thumb is to describe the property, not the people. Paragon automatically checks the public remarks for words that may, in a certain context, violate fair housing laws, and displays a warning message that includes the flagged word or phrase. If you are comfortable with the context in which the word is being used, simply check the box to accept, and re-save. For a full list of words that will trigger a warning, click here. In addition to the remarks, please keep these guidelines in mind when adding photos & documents as well.

Google search results for your listings

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Have you searched for your listing on Google and got results with out of date info? When you make a change on a listing, such as a price change, it will not immediately show in the search results when doing a Google search. Google constantly indexes new information, but it could take anywhere from hours to weeks to even months for changes to show up in their search results. So if you find outdated information directly via a Google search, it does not mean the actual website Google is referencing has not been updated. Click here for a more detailed article.

Copying Listing Photos Without Permission

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It is against MLS rules and copyright law to use another agent’s photos without permission. If an agent submits photos with the knowledge that they do not have the right to use them, a fine of $25 per photo may be assessed in addition to any legal remedies available to the copyright owner of the photos.

Do Not Enter Without a Confirmed Appointment

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The security of clients’ properties is a top priority for all of us. If an agent accesses a keybox without a confirmed appointment, even if it is a vacant home, the agent and their broker may be assessed a fine of $500 each. These fines double, and Supra eKEY access may be suspended for a second offense. These penalties are guidelines, and may be more severe depending on the circumstances. A seller can also bring trespass charges against any agent without a confirmed appointment. Before accessing a property, please double check the address & ensure you have permission.

Is your Supra eKEY Ready for the Day?

Before leaving for a showing, especially for a property in an area with spotty cell phone coverage, double check that your Supra eKEY has updated for the day. To check this, look for the Update icon on the bottom of the main eKEY screen. If there is a red X over the Update icon, click to do a manual update. If there is no red X, you are good to go. Once your eKEY is updated for the day, it does not need access to cell service or the internet to retrieve a key or open a keybox shackle.

Upcoming Paragon Training Opportunities

Paragon Overview Classes: We offer monthly live webinars via Zoom for Paragon training. To register for an upcoming session click here.

In person:  We are also offering an in-person Paragon training class at the MLS office. Please bring your own laptop or tablet. To register click here.



Collab Center: Do you want to set up buyers with an automatic search that notifies them about new properties? Learn how to set up a Collab Center site for your buyers, and what they can do with it. This live class will be held via Zoom, please register here.

Map Search in Paragon: With Paragon's map search you can visually define areas on a map to search for listings. Join SCWMLS trainer, Dave Bass, for this 30-minute class where you will learn how to draw different shapes on the map and edit them, use layers to show lots of helpful information, and more. This live class will be held via Zoom, please register here.

Paragon Connect: Join Dave for a 30-minute class via Zoom where you will learn how to use the mobile version of Paragon, Paragon Connect, on your smartphone. Please register here.

South Central Wisconsin Multiple Listing Service

4801 Forest Run Rd, Suite 101

Madison, WI 53704

(608) 240-2800

www.scwmls.com