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Dear Miss Emmalez Manners
July 2017
Dear Miss Emmalez Manners,
“Hi, I’m new to real estate and am puzzled about how my fellow agents are using the Consumer/Public remarks on their listings. Aren’t these remarks supposed to be different from the Private/REALTOR® remarks? Don’t these fields display for two (2) entirely different audiences? I’m seeing the same exact remarks being used on many listings. Why would an agent include a bunch of abbreviations (HWH, POF, etc.) and acronyms (i.e. BATVAI, BATVAD, etc.) in the Consumer/Public remarks of their listings? I know I’m still new to the business, but even some of my colleagues aren’t familiar with these.”
Signed, Puzzled in Pinckney
Dear Puzzled in Pinckney,
We don’t always see the forest because of the darn trees!
The two remarks (2) fields are indeed intended for two (2) separate and distinct audiences. Realcomp makes it easy for agents to copy the first remarks field into the second one to save MLS Subscribers time and effort. The idea here is that the Listing Agent will edit the second set of remarks to make them appropriate for the intended audience. However, it’s entirely possible that many are taking advantage of the shortcut without scrutinizing the remarks to see if they match the target audience. This is a good reminder for us all to do this.
Additionally, we real estate professionals are (almost) as well-known for using abbreviations and acronyms in our business as the IT professionals! Using them sparingly (when space requires), or not at all, can go a long way in improving our communications with consumers and peers.
Thanks for taking the time to help us focus on the forest again.
“Dear EmmaLez” is an unconventional approach for increasing user awareness of Realcomp’s MLS Rules, Regulations, and Policies, sharing customer complaints, tackling non-compliance issues, and offering steps for resolution. As you have suggestions related to these topics, we want to hear them. Please email us at support@realcomp.com
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