Real Estate Marketing Seattle

This regulation goes into effect on 4/1 and for clarity the text was
copied directly from the NWMLS homepage. As Seattle Real Estate
Agents who are part of the MLS system we support this rule to keep
those who would use the “MLS” to thier advantage. I don’t know why
the national multiple listing services have not protected it in some
way. I know as a Agent we and our team was cited for using “Olympia
Real Estate” at the top of our Lead generation search page by a
brokerage with that name and threatened will legal action it we didn’t
change it.

There are so many opportunistic groups and individuals wishing to cash
in some way in the Real Estate Market and with the DOJ breathing down
the backs of the Multiple Listing Services and thier member Real
Estate Agents. This promises to be an exciting year. If some clarity
does not prevail then we all risk being lumped into the same category
such as the way Car salesman and Lawyers are viewed in as in a similar
generalization. Differentiation is key.

Rule 196: Use of Term “MLS” Prohibited
Effective October 1, 2005, Rule 196 was modified to include language
that prohibited the use of the term “MLS” in member Names, domain
names, and web addresses (URLS). Furthermore the rule stated that
“…no member shall indicate or imply in any manner that the member is
a multiple listing service or that the public has access to or may
search the multiple listing service (e.g. “Search the MLS” or “Access
NWMLS”) on the member’s website or otherwise…”. “Otherwise” includes
flyers, advertising (audio, video, print etc…), and any other
communication by which a member states or implies that the general
public can search the multiple listing servic

An important exception that needs to be noted on the rule. 196 c.  Prospective Application. Rule 196(b) shall not apply to uses of the term “multiple listing service,” the acronym “MLS,” or derivatives thereof in members names which were in effect on the date this rule was adopted (4/29/05). Such prior uses shall include a disclaimer that provides that the member is not a multiple listing service but is a member of NWMLS. The disclaimer shall prominently and conspicuously appear in all of the member’s advertising and on the home page of the member’s website, any page from which visitors to the site may search for property, and any page on which another member’s listings appear.

This regulation goes into effect on 4/1 and for clarity the text was
copied directly from the NWMLS homepage. As Seattle Real Estate
Agents who are part of the MLS system we support this rule to keep
those who would use the “MLS” to thier advantage. I don’t know why
the national multiple listing services have not protected it in some
way. I know as a Agent we and our team was cited for using “Olympia
Real Estate” at the top of our Lead generation search page by a
brokerage with that name and threatened will legal action it we didn’t
change it.

There are so many opportunistic groups and individuals wishing to cash
in some way in the Real Estate Market and with the DOJ breathing down
the backs of the Multiple Listing Services and thier member Real
Estate Agents. This promises to be an exciting year. If some clarity
does not prevail then we all risk being lumped into the same category
such as the way Car salesman and Lawyers are viewed in as in a similar
generalization. Differentiation is key.

Rule 196: Use of Term “MLS” Prohibited
Effective October 1, 2005, Rule 196 was modified to include language
that prohibited the use of the term “MLS” in member Names, domain
names, and web addresses (URLS). Furthermore the rule stated that
“…no member shall indicate or imply in any manner that the member is
a multiple listing service or that the public has access to or may
search the multiple listing service (e.g. “Search the MLS” or “Access
NWMLS”) on the member’s website or otherwise…”. “Otherwise” includes
flyers, advertising (audio, video, print etc…), and any other
communication by which a member states or implies that the general
public can search the multiple listing servic

An important exception that needs to be noted on the rule. 196 c.  Prospective Application. Rule 196(b) shall not apply to uses of the term “multiple listing service,” the acronym “MLS,” or derivatives thereof in members names which were in effect on the date this rule was adopted (4/29/05). Such prior uses shall include a disclaimer that provides that the member is not a multiple listing service but is a member of NWMLS. The disclaimer shall prominently and conspicuously appear in all of the member’s advertising and on the home page of the member’s website, any page from which visitors to the site may search for property, and any page on which another member’s listings appear.