Christine von dem Bach

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Emerald Coast Association of REALTORS® MLS Rules have been modified to allow website references in the Agent Notes and to extend Virtual Office Website (VOW) provisions. The changes were approved at the February 19, 2009, meeting of the ECAR Board of Directors.

Section 4.4, Note 2, of the rules was changed to better represent the rule's original intent. The note was added several years ago to restrict references to real estate licensees who did not subscribe to ECAR MLS. For example, if an ECAR member co-listed a property with a Realtor from Tallahassee who did not subscribe to the MLS, the rule prohibited entering information about the Tallahassee agent.

The original wording, however, was broader than necessary and inadvertently prohibited references to any third parties including homeowner associations and builders. The Board of Directors narrowed the wording to specifically reference real estate licensees and their assistants. This allows information and website links for third parties to be placed in Agent Notes. The change does not affect the requirement to record a non-MLS selling agent's name in the Sales Notes.

Virtual Office Websites, or VOWs, are private websites used by brokers to provide services to their customers over the Internet. They are password-protected sites that require visitors to pre-register, essentially making them customers, before accessing services on the site. These services use active and off-market listing information and are similar to those offered face to face.

The National Association of REALTORS®, with help from the U.S. Department of Justice, established policies in December to govern the use of MLS information on Virtual Office Websites. ECAR adopted the mandatory VOW language in January, but only recently determined which of the optional policies it would include in the MLS Rules.

ECAR's Board of Directors determined it would not place a restriction on the statuses used on Virtual Office Websites, but did decide not to allow confidential information to be displayed on these sites. Because that policy required a similar restriction to be placed on all brokers, the Board also approved a rule prohibiting the sharing of Agent reports with any customers other than a listing's seller(s).

Members should check to be sure that automated emails to prospects are sending Customer reports and that they are not using Agent reports for flyers. Customer reports "with Contact Information" provide complete agent information if a listing agent wants to use a report as a listing flyer. Prospect notification emails sent to agents always use the Agent reports which is not against the rules. It is also okay to use Agent report when participating in an MLS Marketing Tour.

View a summary of the MLS Rules changes

Saturday, February 21: Mardi Gras Parade The highlight of Mardi Gras is the spectacular parade that winds its way through HarborWalk Village. Enjoy dazzling floats, colorful costumes, street performers and float riders tossing handfuls of beads to delighted parade goers as they create a festive party atmosphere unlike anything else in Destin. Bring your kids to make their own Mardi Gras Crowns. Parade from 3pm-till. Download Application

Sunday, February 22: Jambalaya Cook-off and Pet Costume Contest The first annual Jambalaya Cook-Off and Pet Costume Contest at HarborWalk Village. Let your pets enjoy the Mardi Gras festivities at this benefit for the Destin Harvest while enjoying Jambalaya from your favorite restaurants on the harbor. Live entertainment by Terry and the Zydeco Bad Boys. Dress your pets in their snazziest Mardi Gras costumes and show off their special trick and their owners. Event is from 11am-3pm. Costume Contest 11:30am. Download Costume Contest Application

Truly priced to sell, this is a one-of-a-kind building great for investing in the rapidly growing Crestview area. With a perfect location in downtown Crestview's revitalized "Florida Main Street" state-designated historic district, this two-story circa 1925 landmark was built as a hotel with eleven rooms on the second floor which were converted into office space. It is situated thirty miles from the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, near Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Pensacola & Navarre on the I-10 corridor in the fastest growing city of its size in the entire state; also near aerospace hub of Eglin Air Force Base with rapid growth due to BRAC realignment. The first floor has two separate storefronts, one of which is currently a doctor's office and the other an attorney's office.This storefront features terrazo flooring. The entire second floor has clear-coated tongue-and-groove heart of pine walls and ten-foot ceilings with exposed "Chicago Brick" on the outer facing walls. The second floor also includes a full kitchen, tiled floors, a gas range, crown molding and trim on all 17 second-story windows and solid wood custom cabinets as well as hand-built custom carpentry with cypress, cedar, and pine throughout. Each room has a ceiling fan. The second-floor bath features a custom-built tiled shower. There is a 420 square foot deck off the second floor as well. The exterior is all brick with new hurricane-insulated windows and 2 new insulated and tinted storefront windows. These are the all new 2000-2005 mechanicals: new A/C and heat pumps, electrical wiring, plubming, CAT5 data/telephone lines and amplified digital cable to current code in every room. This property need to be seen to be truly appreciated. It is ideal for office space or a restaurant/bar. A unique piece of property you don't want to miss. Owner may finance for qualified buyer.

With a potential for.. Natural Springs Resort,Retreat Center, Recreational Facility ,Fishing Lodge, Natural Wellness Center, Campground, RV Park, Senior Resort community ,Private Estate. This luxurious "natural springs" waterfront acreage is set in an impressive position, with sweeping panoramic views over your own private lake. It makes a great impression! private natural springs lake Ideal for entertaining and relaxing, it is a peaceful haven laid out on 70 acres, a lovely multitude of mature trees that add to the breathtaking surroundings all this while only 5 Minutes drive time to Crestview.