Newsletter

April 2022

Setting a Date for Presentation of, Review of, Response to Offers

In an effort to promote the highest level of professionalism and cooperation, we strongly recommend the following best practices regarding setting a future date for presentation of, review of, or response to an offer:

Buyer Agents:

• It is best to submit offers in a timely manner, and not wait until the deadline. The seller is free to change their mind, and the date set for presentation/review/response could change at any time.
• Communicate with the listing agent if you will be writing an offer, and ask to be notified if the date changes. 

Listing Agents:

• If a seller desires to set a specific date for presentation of, review of, or response to offers, it is best to document this in writing, preferably in the listing contract.
• Discuss with your seller how to handle offers written with binding acceptance dates prior to the set date for presentation/review/response.
• If the seller changes their mind and wishes to review/accept an offer before the set date, it is best to document this change in writing, and update the MLS remarks as soon as possible. The seller and the listing agent should recognize that reviewing/accepting an offer before the stated future date puts cooperating agents in an unfavorable position because other buyers may become angry if they rely on the MLS information only to discover another offer has been accepted.
• Notify all agents who have shown the property, have upcoming showing appointments, and who have expressed interest, as to the new presentation/review/response date. This can easily be done via ShowingTime Appointment Center (select listing and select Send Notifications).

Showing Overlaps Causing Issues for Sellers

With the increased instances of showing overlaps, it is tempting, and even seems friendly to just hand the key over to the next agent that shows up for a showing. Remember, the Supra system records when you open a keybox, and when you close it.  If the next agent forgets to turn lights off, lets the cat out, or fails to shut/lock doors, you may be held responsible as you would have been the last agent recorded as entering.

We have had an increase in complaints recently, that showing agents are not taking time to make sure lights are off and doors are locked.  If there is not another showing happening when you leave, please double check all doors and lights. Doors may have been opened or lights may have been turned on by an agent before you, so please be attentive and do a double check before you leave.

Updated Resource 

Click here for 2021 Tax/Mill Rates.

Upcoming Training Opportunities 

TrustFunds: TrustFunds provides an electronic option for the transfer of earnest money. Integration within Paragon makes it easily accessible. In this 40-minute webinar you will learn how to use TrustFunds to send, receive and track earnest money.

This live webinar will be held on Wednesday, April 6 at 2:30 p.m. and again on Thursday, April 7 at 10:00 a.m.  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, in 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 on Wednesday, April 13 @ 10:00. Please register here

New Video – Overview of Listing Rules:  Join our Data Integrity Manager, Heather Brooks, as she steps through MLS rules pertaining to listings.  This is a great review for listing agents and administrative staff.  Video  Summary of Listing Rules 

Keybox Access Hours Change with Daylight Savings Time 

Supra keyboxes come from the factory preset to open between the hours of 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Central Standard Time, and shift to the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. during Daylight Savings Time.

If you would like to change the access hours, or remove all time restrictions, you can do this for keyboxes you have added to your inventory. Once added, select the keybox and then select Program Keybox. Change the start or end time by clicking or tapping on the time. When done, you will need to select to Program the keybox. You will need to be near the keybox and have the shackle code to do this. 

South Central Wisconsin Multiple Listing Service

4801 Forest Run Rd, Suite 101

Madison, WI 53704

(608) 240-2800

www.scwmls.com