Suncoast MLS Reference Center

Virtual Office Websites (“VOW”)

Some real estate brokerages offer real estate brokerage services online. These sites are referred to as Virtual Office Websites (“VOW”). The simplest definition of a VOW is a broker Web site that allows consumers to access all of the non-confidential information in the MLS after registering with a Realtor.

VOW policy was determined as part of the settlement reached between the National Association of REALTORS® and the United States Department of Justice in order to ensure that a broker who wishes to offer on-line brokerage services has that capability as it relates to MLS content. Once the settlement was reached in late 2008, all Associations and MLS’s were required to comply with VOW policies by February 15th, 2009. The Suncoast MLS is in full compliance.

There is no requirement for a broker to operate a VOW. However, if a broker does decide to operate a VOW, there is a specific list of requirements that must be met.

The settlement between the Justice Department and NAR recognizes that access to this level of real estate information should be permitted only when there is an expressed working relationship between a consumer and a Realtor. To access a VOW, the consumer is required to register, agree to the terms of use, and agree they are entering in a lawful broker-consumer relationship (broker-consumer relationship as defined by Florida law).

To satisfy the registration requirements, the consumer must provide a name and a valid e-mail address. The password must also expire on a specified date, and the broker must keep the registration information of that consumer for 180 days after expiration. To satisfy the lawful broker-consumer relationship, the consumer must click to agree to the terms of use, verify that they will not use the data for any commercial use, and confirm that they have a bona fide interest in the purchase, sale or lease of real estate of the type being offered through the VOW.

Nobody – not the broker, consumer or the Web site provider – may redistribute any of the information to any third party.

Please take the time to review the NAR VOW policies, the Suncoast MLS Rules and Regulations as they relate to VOWs, and Frequently Asked Questions so that you have a clear understanding of them. These new VOW policies and options do not impact IDX in any way; IDX options and rules as they exist today have not changed!

How do the new VOW Rules and Procedures affect me when adding listings into the Tempo MLS system? Tempo currently has several new input requirements when adding listings for Residential, Residential Land and Multi-Family listings. These new fields reflect new options that your seller(s) are offered when entering a listing. They are discussed below.

How about my existing listings? All existing listings in the system were automatically set to default as described below. After reviewing the new options, please be certain to contact your Sellers to determine whether or not they want you to make changes to their existing listing.

Your Seller has Options

As part of the settlement, Sellers now have more choices when it comes to the display of their property on the Internet. They have the ability to decide if they want their listing to be on the Internet as before. Now however, they also have specific options relating to allowing their property address to be shown, whether or not they will allow for a property valuation to appear with their listing in a VOW; and whether or not they will allow comments/blogs to appear with their listing on a VOW.

Specific Add/Edit changes in Tempo

Your Residential (RES), Residential Land (LAN) and Multi-Family (MUL) profile sheets have been revised to accommodate the new prompts added and reviewed below. Click here for the new forms.

The prompt “IDX Y/N” has been replaced with “Allow Internet Y/N” This selection identifies whether or not the listing can be displayed on the Internet (not just VOWs, but the entire Internet, which includes Realtor.com, FloridaLivingNetwork.com, IDX sites, etc.)
Default: This option will default to YES, unless previously noted as “NO” for IDX.

Allow Address on Internet? If the listing is to appear on the Internet, this option identifies whether or not the seller’s address will be displayed on the Internet.
Default: This option will default to YES.

Allow Comments/Blog? A reviews and comments (“blog”) option may be displayed in conjunction with a property on a VOW. Anyone who registers with a VOW may leave comments and reviews. If the Seller does not authorize (on a VOW) third parties to write comments or reviews (or a hyperlink to such blogs) in immediate conjunction with the listing of the property, select “No”.
Default: This option will default to YES.

Allow Auto Valuation Model? An automated estimate of market value (“AVM”) may be displayed in conjunction with a property on a VOW. Anyone who registers with a VOW may gain access to the AVM. If the Seller does not authorize an AVM of the listing to be displayed (or a hyperlink to such estimate) in immediate conjunction with the listing of the property, select “No”.
Default: This option will be default to YES.

Do I Have to Have a VOW? No, whether or not you have a VOW is an individual choice.

What Do Should I Do if I Want a VOW? First read the rules and regulations and the policies carefully. Next discuss the requirements with your Web site or other Internet service program providers. The licensing agreement for operating a VOW is now available at PRO. Contact Matt Simmons at msimmons@tampabayrealtor.com for information.