How can I avoid having to visit a property an additional time to place the "for sale" sign?

March 30, 2023

If your listing is not ready to show the world yet but you have a valid listing contract, it must be entered into GNMLS before any public advertising.  See GNMLS R&R: Sec 1.01 and GNMLS P&P: Sec III-B

Public marketing includes, but is not limited to, flyers displayed in windows, yard signs, digital marketing on public facing websites, brokerage website displays (including IDX and VOW), digital communications marketing (email blasts), multi-brokerage listing sharing networks, and applications available to the general public.

Here are steps to remain consistent with GNMLS policy without having to make a separate trip to the property to place the sign after entering into GNMLS/Xposure:

  1. Enter the listing with as much information as you can obtain from the initial and/or follow-up visit to the property during which you would get measurements, perform a walkthrough, take photos, etc.
  2. Make sure to set "Internet Display?" = NO so the listing does not syndicate out to the world.
  3. Submit as Active and quickly change the status to On-Hold - could do at the property if internet available or nearest place with internet access.
    • After the listing is entered and placed On-Hold, you can plant the "for sale" sign since the listing has been entered into GNMLS (even though not presently active).
  4. Once you've had time to input any info still needed (eg: add'l photos, measurements, docs, etc) and the listing is complete and ready for the world, go back into Data Entry and change "Internet Display?" = YES, then change the Status to "Collapse/BM" which will make the listing Active.

By doing the above, you will comply with GNMLS "Clear Cooperation" policy and hopefully save some mileage as long as you can get on the internet at or nearby the property.