Transaction Broker Commission, Buyer Agent Commission? Our MLS doens't show it by letters.

Hi Dee.

It's such a sad statement on the ethics of some Realtors that they distribute their login information to potential customers.   I know it happens and have seen it in the past.

I hope we (here in Portland) do not move to the use of tokens, but you are right on the money when you say some of the public may be viewing what only agents/brokers should be viewing per the law, and that there are privacy issues.   Private phone numbers, etc.

Good post!

In Orlando we have RSA

http://www.rsa.com/node.aspx?id=1156

And FMLS in Georgia is just now switching over to Active key and E key

this week.

It is sad to think that we have to resort to using stronger protocols like a token to protect information but since we can't trust our own, many more boards may have to resort to using it.  If it comes to that, I'll adjust.  

We recently had a change in our electronic keys so that to be read daily (via USB port to the company website) in order to be used that day.  There was quite a bit of grousing but things have settled down and I haven't heard anyone complain lately.

Dee when I saw your subject I was confused.  I know you are in our area of Southern Cali but just realized you are in San Gabriel (MRMLS?)  We have been using the token for almost a year now.  It was a pain at first, but you will get use to it.  I bought a small camera case with 2 pockets.  I attached the token to one side of the handle and slip it into the smaller pocket.  My ActiveKey (this I hate) goes in the larger pocket.  I won't lose the little token this way.  Are you all getting ready to join SoCalMLS?  I do love that.  Your board really should look into it, if they haven't already.

Jana

Here in El Dorado Co which is a part of Metrolist we've used tokens for a year now. I carry mine on my keychain and I've seen people use a long chain and wear it around their neck. You get used to it. I remember that it really sped up the system which was overloaded with unauthorized users. We also have to update our supra keys daily to use them that day.

Maybe I am missing something, but what information on an MLS Listing is sensitive? The listing broker's name and phone number? The commission? The days on the market? The few words in the broker's remarks?

Perhaps it is different where I am, but I couldn't find any information of a sensitive nature in the listings. Most real estate websites already show almost all the information available in the MLS. If I want to have a client to have access to the MLS data, all I have to do is set them up (legally) through the MLS with their own user ID and password and then they can see everything except the listing broker's info, the office remarks and the commission rate, which I tell them anyway since they get a rebate based on the commission.

As for supra keys being updated daily, I find it reasonable that they have to be updated weekly although I would have preferred monthly. I have never heard of agents complaining of unauthorized usage, although I am certain it happens sometimes. However, if agents use it without authorization then they should be taken to task, after all there is an electronic record of users with day and time of access. The EKey is supposed to make it easier and more accessible to show houses; otherwise, we might as well reverse to meeting agents at the door. I don’t know what a token is, we don’t use them.

Like I said, maybe it is different where I am.

The difference between the two here, Abe, include the private remarks (for Realtors only), terms of sale (cash, conventional loan), escrow preference, whether a 3rd party is involved (REO), commission structure, the home owners' name and phone number, and whether the house is vacant or not, or times when the owners won't be home.

I would say the most sensitive would be the last 4 items.  

Our "public" MLS is completely open to all, no registration needed.  But the Realtor side is not, and for good reason, IMHO.

Phil, it may be sensitive- but in less than five telephone calls an agent will give it all away. Most agents, now a day, would sell their mother's sole for just the hope of a commission. IMHO - of course.

I love the pool - it's just the people I have to swim with. Many won't understand what that means - u will!

that's soul not sole.

Thank you for the clarification Phil and Dee.

It is very different from where I am. The following information is not allowed in our MLS under the risk of losing all MLS privileges: any codes and combination locks giving access to a property, allowing anyone else, whether agent or client, to use the broker’s personal user ID and password.

Owners’ name and phone number are listed for “Entry Only” properties with sellers permission; although, MLS is trying to eliminate this practice. Anyone determined to know the owners name, will easily find it in the public records and the phone number, if listed, in one the various online directories.

Terms of sale are not listed until the transaction is closed and again this becomes information available in the public record.

For the most part, the few private remarks that some agents bother to write have no sensitive information. More often than not, they just repeat their contact information.

Third party involvement (REO, Bank, Estate, etc.) is public information. However, the name of the third party is not mentioned anywhere in the listing.

Information that in my estimation should not be listed: “Vacant and easy to show” 90% of agents who use this phrase will also mention it in the public remarks, which is viewed by all consumers.

I don’t consider the commission structure a sensitive matter, but that is a personal matter with each agent.

I guess there are differences.

Tokens are new to me.  Hope they don't catch on here.  Active Key seems to be working fine.  Agents that can't conduct searches and send out "Client Copies" of listings are a sad story.  We are using Navica and it couln't be easier.   When I give clients my copy of a listing I tear off the bottom half.  Simple and Secure.

Realtor, Columbus Ga