What information can I publish in the Remarks sections?
Table of Contents
Public Remarks
Do's
- Provide additional details related to the subject property.
- Highlight features in the listing profile to promote those values of the property.
- Use the Agent Remarks section to provide information that are not allowed in Public Remarks.
Don'ts
- Omit remarks that may be potential violations of the COE - i.e., Do not contact the Seller.
- Exclude these types of information from Public Remarks - names, phone #s, internet addresses, web links, contact information for front desk (to access the building) and/or city or state agencies, Auction websites, etc.
- Is "Call Listor" allowed? It is not recommended.
- Cooperating Brokerages will share your listing with potential buyers, so "Call Listor" is a form of steering. Replace the verbiage with "Contact your Realtor!"
- When HICMLS receives a Report IT from a member about this particular remark or other inappropriate remarks, a Notice will be sent to the Listing Agent.
Reference: Rules and Regulations of the MLS
Section 2.11 LISTING BROKERS, SELLER’S, AND/OR OCCUPANT’S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Listing brokers are prohibited from providing contact information, including but not limited to names, phone numbers, email addresses, and website addresses, and seller’s and/or occupant’s names, phone numbers, and email addresses within the body of listing remarks, photos, virtual tours, videos, or digital documents that can be viewed, displayed or printed by the general public and as specified in Sections 1.18 - 1.18.3.
Agent Remarks
The Agent Remarks section in the MLS is intended for you to provide additional information related to the subject property that is deemed necessary, required by policies, non-discriminatory, and legal.
Please use the Agent Remarks section for these types of information:
- Showing instructions (i.e., Agent contact info.).
- Disclosures that the Listing Agent wants to provide to other MLS subscribers.*
Do's:
- The Remarks must be relevant to the listing and not conflict with MLS Rules, NAR's Code of Ethics, Hawaii Administrative Rules, etc
Don'ts:
- Omit these types of information from the Agent Remarks section - targeting messages, and instruction that states do not contact the Seller/Owner, etc.
- Omit web addresses and additional media links - please post the link(s) in the External URL field (the designated field in Matrix Input - General tab) for all additional marketing materials.
Other
A: You can disclose this in the Public or Agent Remarks section.
For Rental listings only:
Contact information is allowed in the Public Remarks section.
This is not a rule change, and this allowance may be revoked at any time.
Open Houses:
It is strongly suggested to input Open House information directly in the Manage Open Houses section; this can be found in Matrix/Input/Edit Listing/Manage Open Houses.
Additional Assistance:
Agents: If you need guidance related to remarks, please consult with your Broker.
Brokers: If you need assistance, you may contact the Legal Kokua Line at the Hawaii Association of Realtors and/or consult with your legal counsel.
Note:
The Seller and the Brokerage Firm shall decide what type of information to disclose in the Public/Agent Remarks. MLS staff are not active licensees, so we cannot advise on the information disclosed in the Remarks section.