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Standing Against Domestic Violence

09/05/2024

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ValleyMLS presents CubiCasa Home Report & Snapshots

09/03/2024

ValleyMLS is thrilled to announcing new products CubiCasa will release in the coming months –  the CubiCasa Home Report and Snapshots.

The New Home Report

The New Home Report: From the same 5-minute scan you’re familiar with, the Home Report provides you with a new tool to create and enhance your listings, including:
  • Easy copy-paste room measurement for MLS data entry
  • In-depth home details to answer common questions from buyers
  • A printable leave behind for open houses

Take Snapshots While Scanning

Take photos while performing your CubiCasa scan and receive a special report showing the exact location on the floor plan where each photo was taken, as well as access to all of the photos you took.
How does this help REALTORS®?
  • Provide an in-dept look inside the property – present unique home features that are not included within the listing photos
  • Clearly show where these features are located inside the home
  • A printable leave-behind for open houses
Both Snapshots and the Home Report are exclusively available in CubiCasa’s new PLUS product.
The new “Plus” Product automatically gives you multiple new valuable features:
  • Fixed Furniture on the floor plan (appliances, fixtures, islands, etc.)
  • Home Report
  • Snapshots – take photos while you scan in order to document the property
  • Custom Styling
  • Upload Your Logo
  • Custom Disclaimer Text
  • SVG output
What’s the difference between Lite and Plus?
ValleyMLS subscribers will continue to receive standard discounts on all CubiCasa invoices, regardless of volume, along with access to the free lite version flooprplan.
Questions? Please contact Genevieve Cline at genevieve.cline@cubicasa or MLSsupport@valleymls.com
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Proud to Partner with Jackson Center

08/20/2024

The Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® is proud to continue to partner with the Jackson Center for our major events.
The Jackson Center has an incredible space, and an even more amazing staff, for events of any size. Take a look at the short video below for the Jackson Center’s capabilities – as if you weren’t already aware.
For event inquiries, please contact Jamie Jones.
 
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New NAR Settlement Training Video

08/14/2024

As the NAR Settlement practice changes go into effect Saturday, ValleyMLS and the Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® are committed to bringing you the resources you need to effectively serve consumers. 

We hope you’ll take the time to watch our latest On-Demand Training video. We invite brokers to use the video for office training to start getting agents educated on the terms of the NAR Settlement, state and local forms, and how they can communicate their value to clients.
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VIDEO: Assigning lockboxes to listings in Paragon

07/29/2024

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Getting Ready for MLS Changes August 1st

07/26/2024

On the eve of pivotal updates to ValleyMLS next Thursday to comply with the recent NAR settlement, it’s crucial that you are prepared to embrace the new landscape in our industry. Read below to hit the ground running on August 1st.

What is this all about?

ValleyMLS, along with hundreds of other NAR-affiliated MLSs, has entered into a settlement agreement to resolve several lawsuits around the country relating to offers of compensation from listing brokers to buyers’ brokers.
There are two key practice changes:
🔑 First, listing brokers will no longer be allowed to communicate offers of compensation (whether from the listing broker or the seller) to buyers’ brokers through MLS, though they are free to make such offers through other means.
🔑  Second, a broker must enter into a written agreement with any prospective buyer before showing any MLS listing to that buyer, though there are some exceptions.
More information is available from NAR below at FACTS.realtor. 
FACTS.realtor

Why are these changes being made August 1st instead of August 17th?

To be in full compliance with the August 17th mandate, ValleyMLS will begin making local compliance changes on August 1, 2024. Making this change in advance of August 17th will allow time to adjust fields with our MLS vendor, Data Compliance vendor, Data Feed vendor, Showing Time vendor, and other vendors as needed. This provides advance time to correct any technical issues that could arise. 
This will also allow time to help prepare members and answer questions. We understand that this change is not easy for anyone and are continually striving to do our very best to make sure that all of you are successful throughout this transition.
FACTS.realtor

What will happen?

On Thursday, August 1st, ValleyMLS will remove all compensation fields and rules associated with submitting an offer of compensation via the MLS.
Additionally, ValleyMLS is removing compensation data from all MLS-provided services including Listing Input forms and screens, data feeds, and MLS reports and search forms. New rules will go into effect on August 1st.

What is the impact of these August 1st changes?

Once removed, Participants and Subscribers will not have access to these data elements. After August 1st, Participants are prohibited from using the MLS to make any offers of compensation (whether the compensation would be from the listing broker or the seller) to other participants on listings filed with the MLS.

Buyer Agreements

ValleyMLS will require any participant working with a buyer to enter into a written agreement (Buyer Showing Agreement) before providing a tour of a listing in the MLS.
In enforcing this rule, ValleyMLS will investigate reported violations, perform random audits, and verify documentation of compliance.
BUYER SHOWING AGREEMENT

How do I explain compensation to clients?

How can ValleyMLS data be used/displayed?

ValleyMLS will not support any data use, effort, or attempt to create any platform for brokers to exchange offers of compensation (i.e., where offers of compensation are extended to multiple buyer brokers). Participants and MLS vendors are not permitted to use ValleyMLS data feeds to establish any such compensation platform.
Violation of these rules may result in revocation of MLS data feeds. Participants may include compensation information in their own listings on their own websites, signage, etc. as long as no other offers of compensation by other brokers are displayed..

Can offers of compensation be described in the remarks field in ValleyMLS?

No. Any offer of compensation (whether the compensation would be from the listing broker or the seller) communicated anywhere in the MLS will be prohibited as of August 1, 2024. This includes any field, photo, or document.

What about historical data?

The MLS is required to archive historical data so that is will no longer be accessible.

What about a field to enter pre-closing concessions like some other MLSs are using?

ValleyMLS will add a Seller Concession Y/N? field, which will be available on August 1, 2024.

Are we allowed to put seller concessions in the remarks section?

No. The terms of any seller concessions may only be communicated outside of the MLS.
 
SELLER CONCESSIONS GUIDE

Can we advertise compensation on our social media accounts?

Yes, you may advertise compensation on social media accounts, provided that the link is not coming directly from the MLS.

Would it be acceptable to have a sign that says "Buyer Agent Commission Offered" or “Buyer Agent Friendly” outside the home?

Yes. You also could put it in the house, if you would like.

Updated Forms

EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO SELL PROPERTY LISTING AGREEMENT
EXCLUSIVE BUYER AGENCY AGREEMENT
BUYER SHOWING AGREEMENT

Coming Soon to the ValleyMLS Forms Library

  • Compensation Agreement Between Listing Broker and Buyer Broker
  • Agent to Agent Compensation Agreement

Other Resources

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HAAR Wraps up “179 Ways” Campaign

07/15/2024

The Huntsville Area Association of REALTORS® (HAAR) wrapped up its successful “179 Ways Campaign” with an engaging social media recap, highlighting the extensive and detailed efforts REALTORS® invest in every transaction. Created by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the 179 Ways list informed REALTORS® that “You know you earn every penny you get when you sell a home. This list can help you show your customers exactly what you do to help them buy or sell their home.”
The campaign highlighted the various stages of the real estate process, starting with pre-listing activities like scheduling appointments, conducting market research, and verifying legal documents. The social media posts detailed the comprehensive listing presentation process, where REALTORS® provide market insights, tour properties, and create strategic marketing plans. Followers also got a behind-the-scenes look at the intricate steps involved in handling offers, managing contracts, and coordinating inspections and appraisals.
As the campaign concluded, it showcased the final stages of the home-selling process, including closing preparations and post-closing follow-ups. By recapping these 179 steps, HAAR celebrated the dedication and expertise that REALTORS® bring to each client interaction, reinforcing their invaluable role in helping people buy and sell homes.
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United Way Needs Your Input

06/25/2024

United Way of Madison County is inviting community members to participate in a focus group to learn about needs in our community. Register to join the conversation on June 26 from 8:30-10:30 at the Offices of Spenryn and share your ideas. The results of the Needs Assessment will help to guide the work in the community over the next several years. 
REGISTER
Can’t make an in-person focus group but still want to share your ideas? Fill out the 2024 United Way of Madison County Needs Assessment Survey.
SURVEY
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Critical SentriLock Agreement Coming July 15th

06/24/2024

🚨 Be on the lookout! On July 15th, you will be asked to accept the terms of an agreement governing the use of SentriLock keys to protect properties against unauthorized access. 
The terms of this agreement will be delivered in a pop-up message the first time you log into Paragon beginning on Monday, July 15th. Subscribers will be unable to access any Paragon tools until they agree to these terms. 
This is the first of several reminders that will be sent to ValleyMLS subscribers across our channels–including newsletters, social media, our websites, and more. 
More information and the full text of the agreement can be found below. 

Why is this needed?

The ValleyMLS Board of Directors recently approved the need for a Sentrilock System Agreement to protect properties against unauthorized access.
This came after the Board was notified last month of a troubling situation that involved unauthorized access to a property by an appraiser whose daughter was a prospective buyer. 
The individual, who was not representing either party in the transaction, arrived early to the property alone, rang the doorbell, and accessed the home through the lockbox. Though the property owner was not at home, a complaint was filed with the police. 
Several policies were violated by this action with potential liability for multiple parties. 
Because of this situation, acceptance of the terms of an agreement is now required to protect ValleyMLS subscribers and the MLS as a whole. All members must now acknowledge that they understand the permissible conditions under which a lockbox can be accessed to enter a property.
Click here to read the full text of the agreement you'll be asked to approve on Monday, July 15th
Please email MLSsupport@valleymls.com with any questions or concerns. 
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RPAC Victory: VA Removes Hurdle for Military Buyers

06/11/2024

NAR’s advocacy efforts end in major win for military home buyers

The Department of Veterans Affairs officially announced Tuesday a temporary policy allowing VA home buyers to compensate their real estate agent directly. The department says it will determine whether a formal rulemaking process is necessary.
The move brings relief to VA home buyers, whom the National Association of REALTORS® has been working feverishly to support in recent months. NAR launched an “all-hands” effort earlier this year to change the department’s previous rule, which prohibited VA borrowers from paying a “brokerage fee or commission in connection with the services” of a real estate professional. The rule presented a potential hardship for VA buyers under NAR’s proposed settlement agreement.
Under the VA’s new temporary policy, “eligible veterans, active-duty service members and surviving spouses who use their VA home loan benefits can pay for certain real estate buyer broker fees when purchasing a home,” the VA said in a statement Tuesday. “This update is intended to ensure VA’s programs continue to promote access to homeownership for veterans.”

RELATED: Realtors® learn how to better serve veterans in north Alabama.

Housing for veterans remains a top advocacy issue for NAR. “NAR launched an all-hands advocacy effort on this issue, meeting with VA officials, engaging with lawmakers and rallying our industry partners to ensure this prohibition was lifted,” says NAR Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn. “Without this change, thousands of veteran buyers could be denied access to professional representation in their pursuit of the American Dream of homeownership. Taking this extra step ensures veterans have the same opportunity as others to compete in a tight housing market. We applaud the VA for recognizing this danger and acting swiftly to protect veterans.”
The VA home loan guaranty program is a vital homeownership tool that provides military veterans with a centralized, affordable and accessible method of purchasing homes with no down payment as a benefit for their service to the nation. It’s also the only program that explicitly banned buyers from directly paying for professional real estate representation, NAR President Kevin Sears said in a statement.
“We applaud the VA for revising this policy and allowing veterans and active-duty service members the same advantages as other buyers in a competitive real estate market,” Sears said. “We look forward to continuing this conversation, and our 1.5 million members stand ready to support the VA in whatever way possible to protect the brave men and women who serve this country and ensure they are given the equal opportunity to achieve the American Dream of homeownership.”
The VA and NAR say they will continue to monitor the evolving homebuying market, as practice changes take effect Aug. 17, and will issue updates as they occur. The VA adds that it “encourages veterans to negotiate buyer broker fees with their real estate professional. VA buyers can also still ask sellers to cover the buyer broker’s compensation at closing.”
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