The motto for 2025 is, “strive for progress, not perfection.” Mistakes happen! Every year, Data Integrity (DI) continues to find ways subscribers can avoid and correct mistakes that lead to violations.
Below are the top 10 violations for 2024, as well as commentary on the progress, opportunities for improvement, and ways DI is assisting ARMLS subscribers in setting themselves up for success in 2025.
Top 10 (Including Self-Reported)
Rank | Top 10 (includes Self-Reported) | 2024 | 2023 |
1 | Self-Reported | 3553 | 3827 |
2 | Assessor’s Number Incorrect | 1224 | 1064 |
3 | Address Incorrect | 759 | 765 |
4 | Text or Watermarks on Photos/Media | 725 | 899 |
5 | Public Remarks – Inappropriate Use | 608 | 1023 |
6 | Sold Price Incorrect | 394 | 431 |
7 | Closing Information | 347 | 344 |
8 | Special Listing Conditions | 300 | 339 |
9 | Dwelling Type | 299 | 288 |
10 | Selling Agent Incorrect | 225 | 281 |
Self-Reported
Rank | Self-Reported Top 5 Errors | 2024 | 2023 |
1 | Selling Agent or Co-Selling Agent | 661 | 763 |
2 | Closed to Pending/UCB/CCBS Status | 606 | 775 |
3 | Closing Info (NOT sold price) | 435 | 561 |
4 | Removal of Photos | 425 | 338 |
5 | Sold Price | 214 | 328 |
Improvements
#4 – Text or Watermarks on Photos/Media
Violations decreased 20% YOY compared to 2023. Subscribers continue to take advantage of the landing page to submit photos for review before uploading.
#5 – Public Remarks – Inappropriate Use of Field
Violations decreased 41% YOY compared to 2023 thanks to blocked terms related to compensation and warning terms related to “call phrases.”
Opportunities for Improvements
#2 – Assessor’s Number Incorrect
Violations increased 15% YOY compared to 2023. To combat these types of violations, DI recently released a guide on how to use the Populate Tax Data feature to help subscribers auto-populate the listing data and reduce errors.
Improving Together
Shared efforts led to a reduction in seven out of ten violations in 2024! Thanks to subscriber contributions and ARMLS-created resources like blogs and classes, listing data accuracy continues to improve. Your commitment to remain informed can be seen by an 8% increase in subscribers who took the Rules online course in 2024. Additionally, the top three blogs that captured your attention last year were Top 10 Violations of 2023, Equitable Interest, and the always-popular Photo Rules. All good reads!
Another noteworthy violation being monitored is Invalid Listings – Park Models (ranked at #12), where we experienced an increase in 2024. DI audited numerous manufactured home and park model listings and created a dedicated landing page to help subscribers better understand the rules. This resource ensures more accurate listings and compliance with regulations.
Final Thoughts
In 2025, ARMLS will continue the fine donation program and your first non-lockbox key penalty violation fine of the year will still be waived. If you are looking to learn more, take the online ARMLS Rules course.
We recognize that subscribers value having accurate and complete data in the MLS system. Your ideas help us improve and better support you in avoiding rule violations. Have suggestions or ideas? Submit them here.
Anonymous
I have an agent that copied my public remarks Verbaidian. How do I file a complaint?
James Marcus
Hi, in Flexmls, go to the listing. Under the three dots, click Report an Error.