“By popular request, the new NorthstarMLS default setting for ShowingTime overlapping appointments is to continue to allow them, but no longer reveal the appointment blocks/overlaps to the showing agent that other agents have scheduled.”
–Notice to Twin Cities Realtors, NorthStar MLS (August 7, 2018).
[Editor’s Note: The views expressed here are solely those of Ross Kaplan, and do not represent Edina Realty, Berkshire Hathaway (“Berkshire”), or any other entity referenced. Edina Realty is a subsidiary of Berkshire.]
It took awhile — about 2 years, to be exact — but the local MLS just disabled a feature that unwittingly gave Twin Cities Buyers’ agents more information about showing activity than listing agents (representing Sellers) intended.
The feature?
An online calendar showing the time and date of upcoming showings.
The calendar’s purpose was putatively to let Buyers’ agents avoid showing conflicts.
However, the log of future scheduled showings also telegraphed Buyer interest (or lack thereof) in the home . . .
See also, “Hot or Not? New Stealth Way For Buyers’ Agents to Gauge Interest (or Lack Thereof) in “For Sale” Homes.”
