On Tuesday, January 26, 2010, MarketLinx implemented quarterly updates to MLXchange. Improvements included a new HOA/Community Association field, new selections for pets, a new field for Study or Den dimensions, changes for international listings, and labeling clarifications to a few fields. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these changes. Since certain fields will be changed in existing listings, it is recommended that you check your listings and saved searches for accuracy.

HOA/Community Association

A new field, "HOA/Community Association" features several new enhancements. Existing listings that have "HOA/Comm Assn" have been changed to this new field. Since existing fields have been modified, be sure to check your listings and saved searches for accuracy.

This field is mandatory except when choosing Single Family or Modular in the Residential Property Class. Others are presented with the following choices: "none," "optional," or "required." If the HOA/Community Association field is selected as "optional" or "required," other related fields will become activated, such as "HOA Fee" or HOA Payment Schedule." All property statuses are affected.

The following HOA fields have changed as indicated below; and the items in the "Previous Field" column have been eliminated from MLXchange:

Pets R Us
Another area that has changed involves fields that relate to Pets. When "HOA/Comm Assn" is selected as "Optional" or "Required," a new field titled "Pets Y/N" will become required. Other relevant fields, such as "# of Pets" and "Max Pet Weight," will also be activated if "Pets = YES" is chosen. Additionally, if "Pets = YES" is chosen, another new field called "Pet Restrictions" will be activated, allowing you to type in any additional unique or relevant information.

The existing Pet fields have also changed as indicated in the table below. The pick list choices in the "Previous Field" column has been removed from MLXchange in both the "Realtor Info" list as well as the "Community Features" list.

"Realtor Info" Field gets Clarifications

Modifications in the Realtor Info field have also taken place. Primarily consisting of relabeling for clarification purposes, the choices have become as follows:

Additionally, the following choices were removed from the Realtor Info pick list:

• Asso Appr Not Req
• Association Required
• Association Optional
• Not Applicable
• OK to Lease

MLS Without Borders

In a continuing effort to assist our members with providing the tools you need to succeed in real estate, MFRMLS implemented several changes to better accommodate the entry of international listings into MLXchange (1/26/2010).

To list an international property, first select "Out of Country" for the state and the new text field entitled "Country" will be made available.

If “Out of Country” is selected, the following fields will no longer be required:

• Tax ID
• Subdivision
• Street Name
• Block / Parcel
• State ID
• Plat Book / Page
• Zip Code
• Legal Description
• Section
• Driving Directions
• Township
• Zoning
• Range
• County
• Subdivision #

When you choose, "Out of Country" in the state field, MLXchange will provide you with a reminder message as follows:

• You must be authorized (listing or referral arrangement) to sell property in the country where the property is located.
• You must be able to make a unilateral unconditional offer of compensation.
• Any reference to price or rate must be in US currency.

These changes will allow listing agents to more accurately display their international listings and better allow buyer's agents to search for those "over the pond" properties. As with any modification to existing fields, it is recommended that you check your listings and saved searches for accuracy.