Sunflower MLS News

Introducing the New Coming Soon Status for Sunflower MLS

We're excited to announce that the new Coming Soon status is scheduled to launch on July 1st in the Sunflower MLS! This update brings several key features:

• It aligns with the practices of neighboring MLSs.
• It includes clear procedures for handling estate sales, unauthorized showings, and sight-unseen offers.
• It requires additional disclosures in listing agreement documentation.

NEW! Section 1.17 Coming Soon Listings

Coming Soon is a sub-status of the Active status in which property information is input and shared with all Participants and Subscribers. Showings are NOT allowed for the property while in the status of Coming Soon, even by the listing agent or broker.

1. All property listed in the Coming Soon status must contain a Begin Showing Date when input into Paragon. Listing agents, with seller authorization, may change the Begin Showing Date at any time, except after the listing becomes Active.
2. Coming Soon listings will automatically change to the Active status at 12:00 A.M. on the Begin Showing Date entered in Paragon.
3. A listed property may be entered in the Coming Soon status beginning on the effective date of the listing agreement with the Begin Showing Date no less than two weeks prior to the expiration date of the listing agreement.
4. Listings in the Coming Soon status may be publicly marketed.
5. Showings are prohibited by any agent, including the listing agent, for all property in the Coming Soon status. Any showing will result in a fine of $1,000 for the listing agent and may include an additional $1,000 fine for the showing agent.
6. All listings in the Coming Soon status are required to include the following disclaimer in Public Remarks: Disclaimer: Sight unseen offers may be accepted by the Seller. The Showing Begin Date is subject to change.
7. In the event that a sight unseen offer is accepted by the seller, the listing agent will change the status from Coming Soon to Active, and then to Under Contract within one (1) day.
8. Once a listing is removed from the Coming Soon status, it cannot be returned to the Coming Soon status.
9. While in the Coming Soon status, DOM will accrue. When the status is changed to Active, DOM will reset to zero.
10. The listing agreement for a listing in the Coming Soon status must pre-authorize an immediate status change from Coming Soon to Active, regardless of the Begin Showing Date, if the property is shown by anyone, including the seller, prior to the Begin Showing Date.
11. Agents are required to follow the Coming Soon Showing Protocol outlined in Appendix A if there is any change to the Begin Showing Date (forward or backward) or an unauthorized showing.

Appendix A - Coming Soon Showing Protocol

While in the Coming Soon status, if there is ANY change in the Begin Showing Date (forward or backward), the listing agent must notify all showing agents with a pre-existing scheduled showing appointment prior to any showing occurring, or within one (1) business day, whichever is first. A change to the Begin Showing Date will result in the following protocol, to be completed in this order:

1. Seller signs written authorization to change the Begin Showing Date.
2. Listing agent notifies ALL showing agents with scheduled appointments.
3. The Begin Showing Date is updated in the MLS.
4. Showings can occur after steps 1, 2, and 3 are completed.

Unauthorized showings are showings that occur outside of the listing agent/broker’s knowledge. When the listing agent/broker becomes aware of any unauthorized showing, the following protocol is to be completed in this order:

1. The listing agreement for a listing in the Coming Soon status must pre-authorize an immediate status change from Coming Soon to Active, regardless of the Begin Showing Date, if the property is shown by anyone, including the seller, prior to the Begin Showing Date.
2. The listing agent notifies ALL showing agents with scheduled appointments.
3. The listing agent MUST change the status to Active in the MLS at the earliest opportunity, but no later than midnight of the same day.
4. Showings must be readily available after steps 1 & 2 are complete.
5. Unauthorized showings that happen as a result of estate or garage sales do not require a change to the listing status UNLESS a written offer is accepted, and at that point, the unauthorized showing protocol must be followed immediately, then the listing status should be changed to Active and then to Under Contract.

The SMLS directors adopted this policy in response to feedback from multiple participants and subscribers who reported losing business to listing agents utilizing a Coming Soon status in other markets.

As always, contact SMLS staff with any questions or to schedule training for yourself or your office.