MLS Tech Blog

Using YouTube for Listing Videos

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Published: July 28, 2021

Using YouTube for Listing Videos

Hello All - We've been getting a lot of questions lately on using YouTube for listing videos. 

There's good news - you can use YouTube to post your listing videos!  There's no need to spend money for another video hosting provider.    

There are a couple rules you need to follow though to make sure your video posting is in compliance with HiCentral MLS Rules and Regulations - But hey, when aren't there rules?!

The most obvious one is you must post your unbranded video to an unbranded channel.  Choose something that's relatively generic and doesn't refer to you or your listing brokerage name, brand, photos, or license number.  For example maybe use 808_listing _videos instead of Fry's_Brokerage_Co.

The next is to keep that channel "clean" of all other videos - this isn't the place to put up your videos of your kids, your cats, yourself, or your other money making enterprises - like how to get right using Turo!

It's best not to post your video as part of a playlist.  You want visitors to see that listing and only that listing. 

Please ask your photographer to remove their watermarks - their logos or company names - from the video.  They're probably proud of their company and rightfully so, but you don't need their logo on your client's listing.

And those are the highlights.  It's pretty simple, but if you follow these very basic rules, you should be good-to-go!  As always though if you get stuck or have a question, please give us a ring at client care and we can get you straightened out!

~The MLS Team 

TL:DR?  Just want the "dos" and "don'ts"?  Here you go:

DO post unbranded videos to the MLS - they're great and will help market your client's listing

DO post your unbranded video to an UNBRANDED youtube channel

DON'T include your name, license number, contact info, URL, photos/video of yourself, or content unrelated to the listing

DON'T make the video part of a playlist

DO unleash your creativity - include "lifestyle" elements of the home or location - now's the time for that listing to shine! 

Go out and do great things with your unbranded videos!

MLS Tech Summit

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Published: May 20, 2021

The MLS Tech Summit ( June 14-16 ) will cover security topics ranging from Agent Safety, Property Security, Safety Tips and the Legal Aspects surrounding data protection.

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4's the Magic Number!

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Published: April 13, 2021

If you're a REALTOR and you're looking for sellers (and who isn't these days!?) you know it's all about "getting the listing".  

From the perspective of the MLS and the Code of Ethics "getting the listing" means getting a signed listing agreement – either a standard form Exclusive Right to Sell Agreement or some other listing agreement approved by your brokerage. 

It all starts with a signed listing agreement.

Once you have the signed listing agreement you have FOUR days to put it into the MLS as either Coming Soon or Active.  If the client is ready to put the property on the market, (awesome!) put the listing into the “Active” status.  If you and the client agree to pursue a coming soon strategy, use the “Coming Soon” status, just make sure you know the rules and follow them.  Those rules can be found here.

The FOUR days starts from the time the client agrees to have the property listed in the MLS.  Many times the REALTOR and Client will state this in the Section A-4 “Listing Period” or Section A-10 “Additional Terms”.   Or Brokerages may establish the list date by having the client sign a separated addendum and that’s OK too.

Subject to your brokerage's policies, Office Exclusive are also allowed.  You must let the MLS know about them within FOUR days by sending a copy of the properly executed listing agreement to [email protected].  This is critical to maintain compliance with the HiCentral MLS Rules and Regulations.  Within FOUR days of the sale, or if the property is withdrawn or the listing expires, just let the MLS know and we can advise as to next steps.

We hope this helps demystify the MLS Rules and Regulations a bit.  We’ve attempted to simplify the process for you here, but of course, all the details can be found in the HiCentral MLS Rules and Regulations.  If you have questions we’re here to help.  Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at 808-791-3789!

Smishing – What Is It and What Can We do About It?

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Published: March 23, 2021

 Smishing Defined

As more and more business communication – especially Real Estate business is conducted via text messaging (SMS), it’s now more important than ever before to understand what Smishing is and what can be done about it.

Smishing is a type of phishing whereby someone uses SMS to try to trick you into giving them private information, or tries to defraud you in some other way – like convincing you to purchase gift cards.  They may claim to have spotted “suspicious activity on your account”, or they could send you an SMS that look like this:

Smishing is essentially any form of phishing that is conducted via SMS.   

How to protect yourself

1. Be on the lookout for suspicious text messages from numbers you don’t recognize.
2. DON’T CLICK links sent to you by unverified senders – the sender may be trying to install malware on your device.
3. Call back the sender at a number you know for them or independently verify – like looking up their contact info on hicentral.com’s handy REALTOR tool, or their website.
4. You may want to block messages from unknown senders, or with a call blocking app.
5. Copy the message and send it to the FTC’s Spam prevention team at 7726 (SPAM)

Additional links for more information

“How to Recognize and Report SPAM Text Messages” from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages

"What is Smishing" Tech Talk from IDG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOZGQeG8avQ

“What is Smishing” from Norton – the antivirus and security company.

https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-emerging-threats-what-is-smishing.html