Virtually Staged Photos

In recent months, RAHB has seen an increase in the number of property photos that appear to be “virtually staged”, meaning that photos of the home, or rooms within the home, have been digitally modified to show its potential rather than its current condition.

When advertising a home on MLS®, it must be advertised in the condition it appears today.  Should you choose to advertise additional photos/images in addition to the photos which represent the current condition, you must clearly identify those modified photos/images on the bottom of the photo. This is done at the time the photos/images are uploaded on Matrix. To indicate photos/images that have been modified, you may use the following words:

  • Artist’s rendering only
  • Potential improvements

Without clearly indicating the photo has been modified, it is an inaccurate representation of the property, and therefore a violation of REBBA’s 2002 Code of Ethics, section #37 & #38 as follows:

REBBA 2002, Code of Ethics:
Inaccurate representations

  1. (1) A registrant shall not knowingly make an inaccurate representation in respect of a trade in real estate.  O. Reg. 580/05, s. 37 (1).

(2) A registrant shall not knowingly make an inaccurate representation about services provided by the registrant.  O. Reg. 580/05, s. 37 (2).

Error, misrepresentation, fraud, etc.

  1. A registrant shall use the registrant’s best efforts to prevent error, misrepresentation, fraud or any unethical practice in respect of a trade in real estate.  O. Reg. 580/05, s. 38.

In addition RAHB’s MLS® policies prohibit any overlay of text or embellishments from appearing on any photos/images.

RAHB MLS® Policies:
PHOTOS/IMAGES

  1. Photos submitted with any overlay of text will not be accepted; with the exception of sketches.
  2. Photos/images uploaded to RAHB’s MLS® system will not be accepted if they include embellishments, including but not limited to advertising, marketing as related to the salesperson, broker, or brokerage.

When you advertise additional photos/images in addition to the photos which represent the current condition of the property, you must clearly identify those modified photos/images on the bottom of the photo. This is done at the time the photos/images are uploaded on Matrix. To indicate photos/images that have been modified, follow the steps below:

In Matrix, under the “Input” tab, under “Quick Modify”, select the listing.
Click “Manage Photos”.
Click the “Browse” button and select the modified photo from your files and open.
Click the “Show Photo Details” icon in the top right corner of the photo as shown below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click “Enter description”.
In the box provided, enter “Artist’s rendering only” or “Potential improvements”.
Click “Done”, then “Save”.

Should you have any questions, please call the MLS® Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or support@rahb.ca.

Accuracy of Street Name Spelling

Accuracy of listing data, including street names, is very important. If you come across any inaccurate information such as a misspelled street name, street type and/or direction, you are encouraged to report the information through the Report Error link in Matrix.

The Report Error link is available in Matrix on each REALTOR® Full display at the top of the page.

This link, when selected, will open window where the listing address and MLS® number are auto-populated. Under the area labeled “Concern”, type in the inaccuracy with the street name or listing data and click the “Submit” button.  Any errors reported remain confidential.  Each day MLS® staff follows up on all Report Errors that are submitted and any necessary changes to street names or listing data will be corrected.

Should you have any questions regarding the “Report Error” link, please call the MLS® Help Desk at 905.667.4650.

Change to Townhouse and Attached Row Unit Picks

Currently when entering a residential listing in Matrix you have the option of selecting “Townhouse” or Attached Row”.

Effective Thursday, September 19, 2019 these two fields will be merged into one and renamed “Townhouse/ Row House”. This change will be reflected on all historical records, and will automatically update any of your Saved Searches and Auto Emails.

Should you have any questions, please call the MLS® Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or support@rahb.ca.

New Matrix Features for Teams

Please be advised that a change has been made to the announcement posted on September 20, entitled “New Matrix Features and Teams”.

It was stated that this would go live on October 1; however, Corelogic would like to defer this implementation date for further testing. A new date for implementation was not provided.

We will continue to work with Corelogic, and provide the new implementation date as soon as we are made aware.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Please see below for the original communication.


The message below is sent on behalf of the RAHB MLS® Committee.

RAHB’s Board of Directors recently approved to have the following new features added in Matrix, effective Tuesday, October 1, 2019. [This date has been deferred. We will inform all members of the new date once it is made available.]

  1. “My Team Active Listings” link
    If you belong to a team you can now have this additional link visible in the “My Listings” widget on the home page, which displays all your team’s listings.
  2. Team Names Appearing on Display Reports
    If you belong to a team, your team name will display on all display reports. If members click on the team name, a list of all the team members will display.
  3. Market Share Report – Teams Only
    Provides a link for teams to generate on the fly a Team Market Share report.

As always, if you have any questions about these new Matrix features, please contact the Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or support@rahb.ca.

“Buyer to Verify” Comments in Remarks

Recently, RAHB has been receiving complaints through the “Report Data Errors” link in Matrix regarding comments in the remarks – specifically remarks stating the “Buyer or Buyer’s Agent to verify specific information” with regards to room measurements, taxes, legal description, etc. These statements do not release the listing REALTOR®  of any responsibility and accountability for the accuracy of any information contained in a MLS® listing.

The following is from RAHB’s MLS® Rules & Regulations:

Section 1 – MLS®, Sub-section 1.04 Responsibilities/ Penalties

(c)   (i)  The Listing Brokerage and the Listing  REALTOR® are responsible for the accuracy and correctness of an MLS® Listing and for submitting the Listing Agreement to the Association as requested. The Listing Brokerage and the Listing REALTOR® are required to ensure that all information in the MLS® Listing provided to the Association, including, but not limited to, the District/Neighbourhood Code, Address (street and municipality), Property Type and the Tax Roll Number, is accurate and correct. All listings shall comply with the REALTOR® Code, the Act, the Bylaws of the Association, these Rules, and any other rule or regulation or policy of the Association.

Below is a Registrar’s Bulletin dated March 17, 2015 by Joseph Richer, Registrar of the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) on this subject:

https://www.reco.on.ca/ask-joe-question/as-a-buyer-how-do-i-know-the-information-from-the-online-listing-is-accurate-if-it-isnt-is-there-anything-i-can-do-about-it/.

Should you have any questions please call the MLS® Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or e-mail support@rahb.ca.

IntraMatrix

RAHB is pleased to announce that work has been ongoing to provide additional access to listing information from neighbouring Ontario Associations/Boards. As part of this work, RAHB has recently signed an agreement with the Ontario Collective group.

The Ontario Collective is comprised of Bancroft & Area Association of REALTORS®, Kawartha Lakes Real Estate Association Inc., London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS®, North Bay Real Estate Board, Northumberland Hills Association of REALTORS®, Peterborough and The Kawarthas Association of REALTORS® Inc., Quinte & District Association of REALTORS® Inc., REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound, Southern Georgian Bay Association of REALTORS®, The Lakelands Association of REALTORS®, Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board and Woodstock-Ingersoll & District Real Estate Board.

On Monday, August 26, 2019 all RAHB members were granted access to the Ontario Collective Matrix system through “IntraMatrix”. IntraMatrix can be easily accessed through the Matrix top menu by clicking on the “IntraMatrix” tab.

IntraMatrix provides RAHB members the following functions:

  • Enter contacts
  • Create auto e-mails
  • Create saved searches
  • Search, print and e-mail listings
  • Prepare a CMA
  • Search property history
  • Create Matrix statistical reports

*Please note*
IntraMatrix brings you into a separate Matrix system. This means your contacts, saved searches, auto e-mails, CMAs and cart information from RAHB’s Matrix system will not be available in the Ontario Collective system. The information you create will be unique to each specific system.

While working with any listings on the Ontario Collective system some differences to keep in mind are:

  • Statuses
    • In addition to the “Sold” status, there is a “Leased” status when a listing has been leased.
    • “Conditional” statuses are not broken out as “CS” – conditionally sold, or “CN” – no more showings, as is in the RAHB Matrix.
  • Listing Reports
    • RAHB Matrix reports were customized based on member feedback and may appear slightly different in IntraMatrix.
  • My Listings
    • Your listings within the “My Listings” widget on the RAHB Matrix will not be visible when you view the “My Listings” widget in IntraMatrix

There is a phone number listed at the top of Intramatrix (AnswerLink Support), which is only available to Ontario Collective users. If you have any questions, please contact the RAHB MLS® Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or support@rahb.ca.

Matrix Upgrade

Matrix upgraded on Wednesday, August 21 at 2:30 a.m.

The upgrade included a new feature titled “Reorder Search Results Using Drag and Drop”. This new feature in the search results screen allows users to manually reorder rows using drag & drop. There will be a “Drag & Drop” handle icon in the left-most column of display grids. To use the feature, users will click and hold on this icon, then drag the highlighted row to desired location, the release. Printed reports, e-mails and export will use the manually sorted order.

Limitations

  • Drag & Drop is only supported in grids, it is not supported in Single-Line displays
  • Clicking on a column header will override manually sorted rows
  • CMA Comparable tab supports Drag & Drop for manual sorting. Note: When the CMA button is pressed in Search Results – that sort order is nor carried over to the CMA Comparable tab
  • Driving Directions will not use manual sort order, Directions will automatically calculate shortest route between addresses, however you can reorder properties within the Directions screen
  • Drag & Drop is not supported in Matrix Mobile
  • Drag & Drop may not be supported on some mobile and tablet devices in Full Desktop mode
  • Drag handles are only visible when all results fit on a single page. Drag handles will be hidden when more than one page of results are displayed. Users have the option to display more rows on a single page usually up to 100 rows (sometimes more) by changing the Display n per page. Manually reordering result sets on multiple pages of results is not supported.

 

Importance of Data Accuracy

It is important the information displayed in Matrix is accurate and correct. If you are viewing listing data and are concerned there may be inaccurate information being displayed, RAHB encourages all users to report any inaccuracies.

To facilitate this, there is a “Report Error” link available in Matrix on each REALTOR® Full display at the top of the page. This link, when selected, will open a window where the listing address and MLS® number is auto-populated. There will be a “Subject” drop down menu that you will be required to choose from.

Under the area labeled “Concern”, type in any data inaccuracies with the listing and click the “Submit” button. Any errors reported will remain confidential. MLS® staff follow up on all Report Errors that are submitted and any necessary changes to the listing data are made either by the Listing Salesperson/Brokerage or directly by MLS® staff. You can also choose to receive a copy of the report that you are sending.

Should you have any questions regarding the “Report Error” link, please call the MLS® HelpDesk at 905.667.4650.

New Matrix Features

The below message is sent on behalf of the RAHB MLS® Committee.

RAHB’s Board of Directors recently approved to have the following new features added in Matrix, effective Tuesday, July 23, 2019.

1. Single Line Display with Photo

This feature provides a single line display that includes a thumbnail photo of the property, negating the need to click off this view to see the first photo image of the property. This display will be added to your display drop down list in Matrix as “REALTOR® Single Line w/photo”.

2. Special Columns on Single Line Displays for “Bedrooms and Baths”

Currently, the single line display shows total bedrooms and bathrooms. These new special column headers show the total bedrooms and baths, but also show in brackets the total above and below grade for bedrooms, as well as full and half bathrooms. If you wish to implement these on your single line display, you can insert the new column headers and make this your new single line display default by clicking on the grey “Set/Clear Defaults” icon in the top right corner.

Example:              Beds                                       Baths
3 (2+1)                                   3 (2+1)

3. Searching “City Favourites”

There is now a new search field called “City Favourites”. It automatically keeps track of the favourite cities you have entered in previous searches and saves them for 30 days. REALTORS® can select this with one click, rather than scrolling and selecting one at a time.

As always, if you have any questions about these new Matrix features, please contact the MLS® Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or support@rahb.ca.

“Include on 3rd Party Sites” Field

It has come to our attention in Listing Input in Matrix that the “Include on 3rd party sites” field under the Seller Instructions was not displaying.  RAHB has been working with the vendor and the situation is now resolved. Now when inputting a new listing the default for “Include on 3rd party sites” will be yes. If you do not wish you’re listing to be sent to any 3rd party sites, please click the dropdown menu and select no. If you are editing a previous listing, “Include on 3rd party sites” will be a mandatory field and you will not be able to save your listing until you select yes or no.

We apologize for the inconvenience. If you have any future questions, please contact the MLS® department at 905.667.4650 or support@rahb.ca.

New MLS® Policy and Change to the Cooperating Brokerage Commission Field

The current Cooperating Brokerage Commission field allows up to 22 characters.  Beginning on May 23, 2019, the field will be expanded to allow up to 200 characters. This change is being made to ensure the cooperating brokerage commission data is available for Virtual Office Websites (VOWs), as set out by the Competition Tribunal Order.
Along with the change to the number of characters allowed in this field, the Board of Directors have approved the following new MLS® policy that will also take effect on May 23, 2019 as follows:
Miscellaneous
23. The Cooperating Commission field must contain either a dollar amount and or a percentage. “See Remarks” is not acceptable. Any additional comments or details pertaining to the cooperating brokerage commission must be entered in the Cooperating Commission Comments field, not the REALTOR® remarks.
This means on May 23, 2019, any current active listings on the MLS® system and any new listings entered should ensure the cooperating brokerage commission is appearing ONLY in the “Commission to Cooperating Brokerage” field, not in the REALTOR® remarks.  Not following the new MLS® policy will mean your listing may not be in compliance with the Competition Tribunal Order. 

Matrix Upgrade 8.3.10

On Monday, May 20 at 2 a.m. Matrix is being upgrade to version 8.3.10. There is expected to be about 15 minutes of downtime. Featured changes include:

Print to PDF Map update – issues causing timeouts when interactive maps where printed to PDF have been resolved
Portal links – portal links in emails were incorrectly taking the user to the map or list rather than individual listing, that has been resolved.
Email button – When sending an email from Matrix, the Send button could be clicked multiple times resulting in duplicate copies of the email being sent.
The Send button now becomes disabled immediately when clicked to prevent this.

To read the complete release notes, please click the button below.

Complete Release Notes