The revised Canopy MLS Rules and Regulations are now available.

Updated Canopy MLS forms are also now available from the Resources tab in Matrix, and include updated listing input forms for each property type, and an updated Custom-Built Construction Price Certification (login required). Canopy MLS licenses the forms to SkySlope and LoneWolf for ZipForm™, and the forms will be updated in these platforms as soon as possible. Members using other forms providers must manually add the forms to their individual or company documents.

In addition to the edits mandated by NAR pursuant to the proposed NAR settlement agreement, there are a few other unrelated changes to the rules and forms, that we think you will appreciate.

Virtual Tours – The requirement that virtual tours must be unbranded was removed to better comply with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission, which requires the name of the firm or sole proprietorship with which the broker is affiliated to be included in the advertisement.

In the next few weeks, we will be removing the Unbranded Virtual Tour field from the system, and only the Branded Virtual Tour field will remain. In the meantime, Canopy MLS compliance staff are no longer monitoring the Unbranded Virtual Tour field for compliance with the revised Branding Policy. 

Open Houses – Another change to the Branding Policy is removal of the restriction against referencing open houses in the Public Remarks, because open house information is provided on OneHome and in IDX, which was seen as a contradiction.

Administrative Sanctions and Hearing Process – There have been improvements to Sections 7 and 8 of the rules to:

• Establish additional administrative sanctions, in lieu of an automatic hearing, for any respondent with more than ten violations of listing information within a calendar year, including a virtual education session and higher fines for subsequent violations.
• Reorganize and streamline the Category I and Category II violations so all violations of listing information are in Category I.
• Cap the total amount to request a hearing for an MLS violation at $500.
• Require the respondent’s Member Participant to attend the MLS hearing.

Review the updated Listing Data Checker flier for an overview of administrative sanctions and the hearing process.

Updated Listing Input forms – The updated listing input forms reveal new field options in anticipation of the fields being implemented in Matrix soon! 

Special Conditions > Affordable Homeownership Criteria – Choosing this new field option indicates that the sale of the home requires third-party approval of the buyer – which may depend upon income limits, homeowner education classes or other requirements.

Green Verification Type > Pearl Certification -- There are many Pearl Certified homes in the Carolinas. To see a map of all certifications, you can access that here and zoom in for more detail.

HOA Frequency > Triannual – Some HOAs, such as Montieth Park, charge on a triannual basis.

Room Features > Coffered Ceiling(s), Cathedral Ceiling(s), Tray Ceiling(s), Vaulted Ceiling(s) – We are moving all ceiling types (“Cathedral Ceiling(s),” “Tray Ceiling(s),” “Vaulted Ceiling(s)”) from the Interior Features field to the Room Features field, and adding “Coffered Ceilings” to the Room Features field. 

Room Features > En-suite Bathroom – We are adding “En-suite Bathroom” as a Room Feature so it can be “paired” to another room (such as a “Primary Bedroom”). Agents can still choose “Bathroom – Full” as a Room Type to describe its level, dimensions, and features. “En-suite Bathroom” is defined as a bathroom that is directly connected to and entered through a bedroom.

Tenant Responsibilities > Internet -- We are adding “Internet” to the Tenant Responsibilities field, which is defined as a list of services or items that the tenant is responsible for paying.

Manufactured Home VIN Number – This is a new field optional field to hold the VIN number of a manufactured home.  The VIN number is an important piece of data needed at closings, by lenders, and for insurance.  Without the VIN number, a buyer may not be able to put in an offer on a home due to lender requirements.

Pool Features – This is a new optional field that will include enumerations moved from the Exterior Features and Community Features fields, as well as adding seven new enumerations: Above Ground, Indoor, In Ground, Indoor Pool – Community, Outdoor Pool – Community, Heated, Fenced, Salt Water, Infinity, Outdoor Pool, Pool/Spa Combo, Lap.

Showing Considerations – This is a new optional field that is considered to be “agent only” information and will not be included in IDX data feeds, but will be included in VOW and Back Office data feeds. The following will appear in the Matrix help text:

 A pick list of conditions warranting caution or additional consideration, such as bringing someone with you if you are previewing the property alone, making sure the appointment time is during daylight hours, etc. (i.e., Electricity Not On, Inconsistent Cell Service, No Exterior Lighting).  DISCLAIMER: Showing Consideration information is intended for informational purposes only. Neither the listing broker, listing agent nor the MLS make any warranty or representation about the safety of the property. Each broker and agent are responsible for making their own independent decisions to ensure the safety of themselves and their clients.

The “Showing Considerations” field is an initiative of the REALTOR® Safety MLS Fields Work Group, which is a collaborative effort between the NAR, RESO, and the Council of Multiple Listing Services to enhance safety in the real estate industry.  The REALTOR® Safety Advisory Committee is dedicated to providing members with the tools and resources they need to stay safe in the field.

The REALTOR® Safety MLS Fields Work Group conducted extensive research and careful consideration to determine the strongest list of MLS Safety Fields for local MLS adoption, aiming to reduce the number of safety incidents in the real estate industry.

The field has seen significant usage where it has been implemented and agents appreciate having that information available to them.