Beginning August 10, Flexmls will automatically set all listing media (photos, videos, virtual tours, and floor plans), except the primary photo, to Private While Off Market for all new listings.
This system enhancement helps agents honor client privacy preferences while preserving the valuable MLS compilation all MLS users rely on for research, comparables, and appraisals.
SUMMARY
• The primary photo is not affected by the change.
• MLS users retain the ability to view any media marked as Private for any listing in any status to conduct research, run comparables, or appraise property.
• New listings created after August 10 will automatically use the new privacy setting.
• Existing listings will not be changed automatically.
• Listing agents retain the ability to mark media as Private; however, certain changes to media privacy settings on listings entered before August 10 may require assistance from MLS Staff.
DEFINITIONS
• ON Market Statuses = Active, Active-First Right of Refusal, Coming Soon, Contingent, Pending, or Withdrawn
• OFF Market Statuses = Canceled, Closed, or Expired
• Media = Photos, Videos, Virtual Tours, and Floor Plans
• Public Media = Included in syndication feeds. Visible to users within Flexmls.
• Private Media = Not included in syndication feeds. Visible to users within Flexmls.
FAQs
Will Flexmls users still be able to view all media for OFF Market listings? Yes. MLS users will continue to have access to media for Closed, Canceled, and Expired listings within Flexmls.
Which media will be affected? The primary photo is not affected by this change. The new setting applies to:
• Photos
• Videos
• Virtual Tours
• Floor Plans
What happens with media uploaded to listings after August 10?
- Any media uploaded after the new setting is enabled will default to Private once that listing goes to an OFF Market status.
- A red box will be displayed around photos marked Private. This is intentional and to be expected.
What happens with media uploaded to listings before August 10?
- Media uploaded before August 10 will not automatically default to Private.
- Listing agents retain the ability to mark any media, except the primary photo, as Private for ON Market listings. However, to change media from Private to Public, please contact MLS Staff at 423-698-8001 and ask for Matt or Bethani.
- Listing agents wishing to mark media, excluding the primary photo, as Private for an OFF Market listing, please contact MLS Staff at 423-698-8001 and ask for Matt or Bethani.
What about media already uploaded to my Incomplete listings?
- Incomplete listings are considered neither ON nor OFF Market, as they are only visible to the listing agent.
-
Incomplete listings with media already uploaded:
- Listing agents may remove the media and upload again after the new setting is enabled so the system will automatically set the confidentiality to Private While Off-Market O
- Wait until after the setting is enabled to add any media.
August 10 & Beyond – How media visibility will work:
-
Private While Off Market (default setting beginning August 10)
- While a listing is ON Market, media will be included in syndication feeds, unless the listing agent marks an individual media item as Private.
- After the setting is enabled on August 10, all media for new listings will automatically become Private when a listing moves to an OFF Market status. Media will no longer be included in syndication feeds and will remain visible to users within Flexmls.
- Private: Listing agents may continue to designate any photo, video, virtual tour, or floor plan as Private at any time while a listing is ON Market. While a listing is ON Market, any media manually marked as Private will not be included in syndication feeds but will remain visible to users within Flexmls.
- Public: For OFF Market listings that the listing agent wishes to mark any media as Public (allowing it to continue appearing in syndication feeds), please contact MLS Staff at 423-698-8001 and ask for Matt or Bethani.