Wow! I wish our MLS had 16 photos - We get 8! That just isn't enough in most cases. Sometimes 8 is way to many for those scary properties!

I can't tell you how angery I get when I see things like B'ful home!!! spell it out there is room. And Put the toilet seat down!!! Don't take pictures of junk or messy rooms have it cleaned. I agree the MLS isn't beeing used the way it's ment to be used. When I see a beautiful home and only 1 picture of the front I just don't get it.

Check this out, in Atlanta we have to pay to be in two MLS's!  One gives you 8 photos and the other 16.  But you have to go in and post them in each, then post them again in P2!

That's a lot of photo posting!

I have to agree on all your points.

As I see it, the largest problem is the poor quality of the MLS listing content.  It must be nice that so many agent feel that a single exterior photo is enough to sell a listing in its entirety. Certainly the agents that follow this practice must know something I don't because I believe in having as many pictures as I can in every listing with as much rich contents as possible and a good narrative.

But another problem I run into - particularly with investment properties - is simply that other agent don't bother to read the listing before the pick up the telephone to schedule viewings.

I cannot count the number of calls I have gotten in past that have been agents asking to schedule viewing appointment and then reversing direction when I start to talk about the monthly rent, CAP rates, lease duration etc.

Lucia, I feel your pain. I belong to 4 MLS and I wish I had a nickle for every time some "agent" called and asked if I would give them access. "We have met the enemy and he is us."

WOW 16 photo's!!  We only get 8, and have to add the virtual link to the public comments.  and forget about any room descriptions...  wish we could.

I have similar pet peeves.  I hate when the comments are the same in public and agent.  I mean, why bother?  If you don't have anything to say to me as an agent, then DON'T BOTHER!!  

Room Dimension delima:  I tend to not put room dimensions in.  Not because I am lazy (far from it), but because I tend to shy away from putting this as absolutes.  Even though our MLS sheet says things are approximate... I don't want some buyer buying a house because I said the bedroom was 12x12 and then it was only 11 1/2 x 11 1/2 and wanting to "come after me".  But maybe I need to rethink this... what say you guys?

Shelly

Our MLS allows 10 pictures and VT, it is amazing the number of agents providing 0-2 pictures and no room sizes.

Remark section can be a joke - does anyone use a software allowing you to enter the descriptive information and once you hit submit the text comes back to you with a 2-3 sentence paragraph adding warmth and emotion?  If so....help me as I not only lost it but I can't even remember the name of it.

I will propose a question: What would happen if real estate boards did away with MLS?

I agree with most of what you say; however, our MLS doesn't even give us a place to put room dimensions, thank goodness!  I've been here since 1997 and it has been that way since I've been a member.  We get along just fine.  I don't want to be measuring rooms and then be liable for a mistake.  I get total square footage from the Central Appraisal District and that is disclosed on the MLS detail sheet given to the buyer.  If someone wants to know the particulars on a room, I bring a tape measure, take the dumb end and give the smart end to the buyer and let them determine the measurement, write it down and do the math.  Didn't I read recently that someone (in Washington???) was sued over a 29 sq ft error????  

I can't stand to see a listing with misspelled words or no pictures.  Or only one pic of the front of the house.  To me that is pure laziness!  It makes you wonder about their clients.  I send all of my listings to the seller to preview.  

I still get business from the MLS. I think we can put in something like 28 photos. It's hard to believe there are a lot of agents who only post the 1 photo, and many more who only post 3 or 4.

On another point I've been trying to figure out what I can out source to a virtual assistant and I'm thinking posting listings to the MLS and P2 might be a good start.

Shelly,

I think, personally, that room dimensions are a must.  Some folks have furniture that requires a minimum size room, like a king-sized bed.  No way that's going to fit well in a 11'x11' bedroom with end-tables (which many old houses here have as a master).  

And some folks want larger kitchens, so having even estimated dimensions is helpful.   Here, in the private (Realtor's) comments, I can make it clear that square-footage is all estimated.

Phil

Wow... our MLS is sounding pretty darned good!  I'm not sure what our limit on photos is... haven't hit it yet and usually put in at least a couple dozen or more.  Also, can put in room dimensions and much more.  The general description is limited to only a few lines but plenty enough to write a decent lead.

However, VERY FEW agents take advantage of any of the features.  Most have less than 4 pics with many having only one.  Amazing!

lol....

<a href="https://www.reliberation.com/blogs/mfarmer/archive/2007/05/15/no-mls.aspx#comment_16822">See my Post on another MLS topic....</a>

oops....accidently hit the enter key too soon :-D

We can have up to 9 pics and a VT which sounds quite reasonable to me. No picture descriptions though.

Most agents in my area do have more than just one picture ... sellers call for it!

Our listing description is limited to ... now I'm taking a wild guess 420 characters now? (used to be 360 until just a short while ago).

Agent comments is a new thing for us ... hardly anyone uses it as the agents are not used to it and you have to select a particular "view" to see the agents comments (would make more sense if it was the general view we get after we run a search).

Room dimensions ... are mandatory, so  no problems here.

In general, I'm glad we have MLS ... not too happy about paying my fees and all that fun stuff but I can't really imagine doing my job without an MLS of some kind!

Well I guess I have that going for me, we are not allowed to advertise square footage in Georgia.  So no measuring rooms.  It does tend to freak a lot of people out when they come here though because they are used to having that info where they live now.

You all have spoiled it for me.  Now I have to quit complaining about my MLS.   I hope nobody in my MLS sees this.  We won't be able to press for improvements anymore.  Compared to the ones described above, mine is paradise.  We can easily put in tons of photos, tons of info, and it covers about 20 counties in Florida between Jacksonville - Orlando - Tampa.

Lucia, I can't even imagine buyers looking at homes without knowing the basic room dimensions. We don't need to input the actual square footage, and I don't do that either but not having the room sizes? Or furthermore, not being allowed to advertise square footage? ... that's just so strange!

I think the reason some agents only post 1 picture or none at all is due to laziness.  We have so many tools at our disposal to advertise a property and most do not.  With so many homes sitting on the market, the agent that doesn't put as many pictures as possible and intriguing remarks describing the property is limiting their sales.  Not to mention short changing the client.

I advertise heated square footage all the time.  Now I'm going to have to check to see if I'm in violation of any rules.  Room dimensions, never thought about them till Ron posted about them a month ago.  Since Navica took over our MLS information, I can get nearly all the info without being a member.  CMA's and sold listings would be a little tough.

Realtor, Columbus Ga

You all have it great!  In the Arizona MLS, we are only allowed six (yes, 6!) pictures and a virtual tour.  I can't tell you the number of times I've seen listings posted at over $1M without a picture!  Mind Boggling!  Then I see pictures that are of a car in a driveway.  What are you selling - garages?!?!  

We are only allowed 480 spaces for a description; however, we can put more than that with each picture (go figure?), so there is a workaround.  We do have room dimensions - but most agents don't enter them - they put an "X".

Spelling has to be the biggest aggravation - everyone has a spell checker on their computer!  It's spelled SEPARATE, not "seperate"!

Unfortunately, many sellers have to suffer from agents being lazy or ignorant.  There are three reasons a home does not sell:  1) price, 2) something wrong with the home or location, and 3) the Agent.

Last, I'm glad to not be the only one this is aggravated by these things.  I guess that's why 10% of the agents do 90% of the business!  (At least in Arizona...)

Carole

Ron, great topic as usual, great comments. I especially liked Tim and Susan's because it was what I was looking for:

"However, VERY FEW agents take advantage of any of the features.  Most have less than 4 pics with many having only one.  Amazing!"

The reality is that the agents who are providing limited photos, limited descriptions, etc. are doing a disservice to their sellers.

I would also say that good directions would be on my wish list, please, you drove their, get it right, it isn't a left turn :)

I'm with Carole, dealing with ARMLS (AZ). SIX photos max. It's ridiculous.

C21 changed a policy a few motnhs ago, requiring a whopping 3 photos be in a listing, or C21.com wouldn't accept them. And the agents in my office still bitched about it....

All of ROn's list is on my list, plus add in lousy spelling. And I saw this in the agent remarks once: "SILAISOAZ"  WTH??? Turns out that means "Seller is Licensed Agent in the State of Arizona".  This is supposed to be their "disclaimer". Yeah, I'm sure SILAISOAZ is going to stand up in court....

Ironic isn't it that I complain about spelling in a post with spelling errors?

Note to self--click spell check before submitting comment.

We have 9 photos - one main which is typically the exterior front of house and 8 additional photos.  Our Public remarks section is only 250 characters but we do have an addendum section to add more; however, few take advantage of it.  We have a private agent's comments section that only agents can see and we have a separate directions section.  As I said in another blog topic, we use Paragon1 which was actually created by the Geico caveman before Geico found and thawed him.

Although it seems that many MLS systems have room for improvement in what they offer the bigger problem stems from the agents entering the data.

As with any program  "*** in" =  *** Out"

It is amazing at some of the things you see agents do or more often than not what they do not do.

But the bright side of that is they are your competition!