By Karen Kage, Chief Executive Officer

As you may already know, Realcomp made some substantial changes to the Realcomp Online^® system last month. These changes affected how e-mail messages are sent and the information that can be included in the e-mails. We have received feedback from many of you regarding the policy change that prohibits the inclusion of off-market properties in e-mail updates. I would like to share more of the rationale behind this change.

The Realcomp Board of Governors has made data security one of their top priorities for this year. Part of this focus is directed at the display of off-market properties on corporate websites which allows consumers to have direct access to this information.

The Board contacted the National Association of REALTORS^® (NAR) for input on how Realcomp may best deal with this important issue. NAR recommended that if an MLS wants to prohibit the display of the off-market data on corporate websites, they must adopt a rule that states that the off-market information is intended for the use of REALTORS^® only, except when used in a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA). Further, the inclusion of these properties in e-mail updates must also be prohibited.

While this change presents some challenges for those members who were used to providing this information to customers and clients via e-mail, Realcomp’s Board of Governors is focused on securing the MLS data so that the REALTOR^® continues to be central to the real estate transaction. Although this step was unpopular with some, the Realcomp Board believes it is absolutely necessary to secure the REALTOR^® position.

As always, I can be reached by phone at 248-699-9120 or by e-mail at Karen Kage.

View Archived StraightTalk Articles