IRES employees spend time each day running data integrity checks and working to maintain accurate, appropriate data in the MLS. We strive to provide data that is trustworthy and correct. Listing Remarks can be tricky, so we wanted to provide a brief article on some dos and don’ts to help out.
First, the “Do’s” of Public Listing Comments. What sets this property apart from any others on the market? Buyers want to know why it is special! Describe the unique features and include information that may not be conveyed through the MLS fields, or draw attention to features that you think are particularly great about the property. 
In the MLS spirit of cooperation with other brokers, contact and commission information are not allowed the Public listing comments section. However, that information is allowed in the private Broker Remarks section. In order to protect your clients, “vacant” is not allowed in the public comments, but you are welcome to indicate the property is not occupied in the Broker Remarks. This is for the safety of the owner and the property.
In order to protect our users, we take a cautious stance when it comes to fair housing guidelines. What does this mean for you? It means we scan for words that are considered unacceptable or cautionary – this goes for public and broker remarks. The basic rule is to describe the property objectively, rather than who should live there or how it should be used. Avoid reference to protected classes of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or 
familial and handicap status. Comments that includes phrases like “perfect for” or “buyers with (some specific traits associated with a protected class)” are risky as well.
Although these guidelines may seem restrictive, and want to assure you our intent is to protect you from any legal claims rather than limit your creativity. Simply describe the property itself and the characteristics that make the property unique; leave any thoughts about how it could be used or who would love it to the buyers. Some of the most common phrases we remove are listed below:
As always, if you have any questions about listing information or any other topic, check out the Learning Center on IRESis.com for more information. You’re also welcome to email us or give us a call.
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Product Manager
IRES MLS: Come Home to Colorado 