Paragon will not be available on Wednesday, November 12th between midnight – 2:00 AM (PST) for about an hour.
Author: Linda Alcocer
The Federal government shutdown is directly impacting real estate transactions and homeownership from flood insurance to home purchase financing. NAR is actively working with Congress to reach an agreement to bring crucial Federal agencies back online.
Join us for the VREN Volunteer Day: Kids Against Hunger on September 5 from 9–10:30am at the KAH Bay Area Warehouse in Pleasanton (1258 Quarry Ln #H, Pleasanton). Registration cost $20 and you’ll help package nutritious, life-saving meals for children facing hunger both in the U.S. and around the world. Space is limited, so reserve your spot and be part of something truly meaningful. Register here.
To improve search functionality and provide a more consistent experience for MLS subscribers, the following updates will take effect on August 25, 2025:
- District/Neighborhood/Sub Field Requirement: Currently required for Residential and Lease Rental listings, this field will now be required for all property classes for consistency.
- New Building Type Option: “Detached Leased Land” will be added as an option in the Building Type field for the Residential property class.
- New Utility Feature: For the Lots and Land property class, “Septic System” will be added to the Utility on Site feature category.
- New Terms Option: “Potential Loan Rate Buydown” will be added to the Terms feature category.
These changes are designed to help you enter listings more accurately and make property searches more precise for all users.
Paragon MLS will install release 12.2/12.3 on Tuesday, August 26. The downtime deployment will begin at 8pm on Tuesday August 26, and will be complete by Wednesday, August 27 at 3am. Paragon will be unavailable during this time.
Share Multiple Listings via Email (Collaboration Center)
We’ve enhanced the listing sharing experience in the Collaboration Center. Buyers can now select and share multiple listings (up to 6) in a single email — making it easier for recipients to view and compare options all in one place.
New Manual Share Email Template (Collaboration Center)
The latest update introduces a refreshed email template that makes shared listings clearer, more personal, and easier to act on.
Media Gallery View
A new Media Gallery has been added to Paragon Connect, offering a streamlined, full-page view of all listing media in one convenient place. This updated experience replaces the old, tabbed layout on the listing detail page and now allows you to quickly access photos, videos, documents, and maps—even from the thumbnail view. Previously, tapping a listing would only open the photo gallery—now it opens the full media gallery, giving you a more complete view of the property’s media content right from the start. The gallery opens in a full-page modal.
Radius Distance Label on Map
Users can now get instant visual feedback when creating custom search areas on the map in both Paragon Connect and Collaboration Center by displaying the radius size after drawing a radius shape. This enhancement helps users better understand the area they’ve selected and improves overall map usability.
Review all of the enhancements here. Questions, please call our MLS Tech Support at 925.730.7100.
Good news for buyers and sellers: Thanks to Bay East advocacy, the Pleasanton City Council is no longer considering a real estate transfer tax.
During its Tuesday, July 15, meeting, on a 3-2 vote, the council directed city staff to not proceed with Bay East members and past presidents William Doerlich and Mike Fracisco, along with Bay East staff, testified during the meeting about how the proposed tax would impact homeownership affordability and shared other concerns.
If you have questions about this issue, how Bay East was involved in stopping the transfer tax or if you want to get involved with Bay East advocacy activities, contact David Stark.
On July 17, the Real Estate Alliance of Livermore (REAL) hosted its annual Back to School Auction, raising over $6,000 for the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Football Program!
From handmade treats and themed gift baskets to sports tickets and thrilling biplane rides, the event held during a REAL Marketing Meeting, was a true celebration of generosity and community spirit. Thanks to everyone who donated, bid, and helped make it a touchdown for Livermore Valley High Schools!
But this was more than just an auction—it was a powerful reminder that strong schools build strong communities. When we invest in students, we’re investing in our future. REALTORS® don’t just help people find homes—they help shape the neighborhoods that make those homes special.
Learn more about Bay East Marketing Meetings here.
The real estate landscape keeps changing, and your feedback helps us ensure we’re providing you the support, tools, and resources you need. On July 8, check your inbox for an email from Jessica Arnold and take a few minutes to complete the 2025 Bay East Membership Survey.
Complete the survey by July 15 and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a $250 gift card. If you did not receive the email, please contact Jessica Arnold.
Whether you’re just starting out or years into the business your input shapes the future of your membership. Let’s build it together!
We’re pleased to announce a recent MLS rule update that provides more flexibility and clarity when including information about seller credits and concessions for buyers in your listings.
What’s Changed?
Previously, MLS rules prohibited any mention of seller credits or concessions in Public and Confidential Remarks. Under the updated rule, remarks regarding seller credits, incentives, or concessions to a buyer are permitted in the Public or Confidential Remarks fields, provided it meets the following guidelines:
· The remarks specifically identify the intended use of the credits, incentives, or concessions.
· The remarks do not include a dollar amount or percentage.
· The credits, incentives, or concessions are not offered for payment, directly or indirectly, of buyer broker compensation.
· The remarks are otherwise compliant with all MLS Rules.
· For additional information, contact the listing agent.
How This Helps You
This change is designed to support more transparent communication with agents and buyers, while still ensuring compliance with MLS policies and the spirit of cooperation. By clearly describing how a seller is willing to assist a buyer—without referencing compensation—you can:
• Highlight value-added opportunities in a competitive market
• Better manage buyer expectations
Full MLS Rule Verbiage (changes in red)
MLS Rule Section 12.5.1 Public Remarks Restrictions and Requirements
a. Information in the public remarks shall only relate to the marketing, description, and condition of the property.
b. Advertising of financing terms in public remarks is prohibited.
c. No contact information is permitted, including names, phone or fax numbers, email addresses, or branded website addresses (including branded virtual tours and branded transaction tracking URLs).
d. No showing instructions are permitted, including references to lockbox, alarm, gate, or other security codes.
e. No information directed toward real estate agents or brokers may be shown in public remarks.
f. Listing Content and Fair Housing Laws. All listing information, including all remarks, submitted to the MLS must be in compliance with fair housing laws. The MLS monitors listing content and employs a process for identifying potential violations of fair housing laws. Should potential fair housing law violations be identified, Participants and Subscribers will be advised to immediately remove or correct such potential violations. Failure to remove or correct may subject Participants and Subscribers to discipline and/or subject the listing to immediate removal from display.
g. Seller’s concession or credit information and comments are prohibited.
Seller credits, incentives, or concessions to a buyer are permitted in the Public or Confidential Remarks fields, provided that:
• The remarks specifically identify the intended use of the credits, incentives, or concessions.
• The remarks do not include a dollar amount or percentage.
• The credits, incentives, or concessions are not offered for payment, directly or indirectly, of buyer broker compensation.
• The remarks are otherwise compliant with all MLS Rules.
• For additional information, contact the listing agent.
h. Any compensation or commission information is prohibited.
i. No occupancy information is permitted (for example, whether the property is owner-occupied, tenant-occupied, or vacant). However, a statement that the property shall be delivered vacant is not a violation.
MLS Rule Section 12.5.2 Confidential Remarks Restrictions and Requirement
a. “For Comp Purposes Only” must appear in the first line of confidential remarks when a listing is entered for that purpose.
b. References to codes, burglar alarms, security systems, gate codes, assigned parking space numbers, or combo lockbox codes may only be placed in confidential remarks only with seller’s written permission.
c. Caution: Title or escrow information may be entered in confidential remarks; however, participants/subscribers should note that any verbiage which implies a requirement to use a specific title company or escrow service may be a violation of RESPA. You are advised to seek legal counsel for specific advice when using such verbiage.
d. Except for reciprocal listings, no reference may be made to licensees who are not participants or subscribers.
e. If a seller(s)/landlord(s) has directed that offers are not to be presented for any length of time, seller’s direction authorizing such arrangement shall be in writing, and listing broker shall provide clear and accurate notice of the date/time of presentation of offers as set forth in the written instruction to Participants and Subscribers in the confidential remarks of the MLS notwithstanding seller’s right to accept offers at any time.
f. Seller’s concession or credit information and comments are prohibited.
Seller credits, incentives, or concessions to a buyer are permitted in the Public or Confidential Remarks fields, provided that:
• The remarks specifically identify the intended use of the credits, incentives, or concessions.
• The remarks do not include a dollar amount or percentage.
• The credits, incentives, or concessions are not offered for payment, directly or indirectly, of buyer broker compensation.
• The remarks are otherwise compliant with all MLS Rules.
• For additional information, contact the listing agent.
g. Any compensation or commission information is prohibited.