September 2025
Safeguarding Your Transactions: Fraud Prevention & Escrow Best Practices
In our newest episode of Beyond the Sale, NAAR President Michelle Linton sits down with escrow officer Merilee Arend to unpack the rising challenges of fraudulent transactions and escrow complications. They highlight how to look out for fraud, protect your clients, and clearly communicate compensation. Merilee stresses that complete documentation and detailed communication are critical to avoid payment delays and last-minute surprises.
Watch the full conversation for essential fraud-prevention strategies and escrow tips, and click the button below for more episodes.
Congratulations to the Newly Elected 2026 NAAR Officers & Directors
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s election, as your voice truly helps shape the future of NAAR. We’re excited to congratulate our newly elected Board of Directors and invite you to join us in celebrating their installation. Registration for the 2026 Board of Directors Installation is now open online.
Vice President
Brannon Harbur
2-Year Directors
Jacquie Kellogg
Matea Burleson
Treasurer-Elect
Kristin Stribling
Affiliate Director
Karen Flores
MLS Chair-Elect
Linda Kiehne
September Member Luncheon Recap and AAR Form Revisions
Thank you to everyone who joined us in person for September’s Membership Luncheon on Friday, September 26. One of the most important updates came from Jan Steward, Arizona REALTORS® Senior Risk Management Specialist, who shared critical information about upcoming form revisions.
Arizona REALTORS® maintains a library of copyrighted, standardized forms created exclusively for members and adopted statewide. These forms are one of the most valuable benefits of REALTOR® membership, designed to protect clients and practitioners alike by reducing disputes, eliminating ambiguity, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations through regular updates. Using these forms strengthens professionalism across the industry and reinforces the trust clients place in a REALTOR®. Expected revisions include:
Residential Exclusive Right to Sell
Residential Exclusive Agency Right to Sell
Vacant Land/Lot Exclusive Agency
Vacant Lot Exclusive Right to Sell
NAAR's Policy on the Multiple Listing Options for Seller Policy
In May of 2025, the National Association of REALTORS® released the Multiple Listing Options for Seller Policy. This policy created a NEW category of listing called "Delayed Marketing Exempt Listings (DMEL)." This option would allow sellers to instruct their listing broker to delay the marketing of their listing by other brokers outside of the listing firm through IDX and syndication for a period set by the local MLS.
To prevent confusion, the NAAR Board of Directors voted NOT to adopt the DMEL status. Instead, we have modified our current Coming Soon status to satisfy this new NAR policy.
What Changed
Showings
Previous policy - No showings were allowed while in Coming Soon status
NEW policy - Showings ARE permitted subject to the seller's instructions.
Visibility and Distribution
Previous policy - Listings in Coming Soon status were visible to all MLS Participants and Subscribers within the MLS system and were syndicated via IDX
NEW policy - Listings in Coming Soon status are still visible to all MLS participants and Subscribers within the MLS system but WILL NOT be distributed via advertising feeds (IDX) or to public real estate portals (e.g. Realtor.com, Zillow, etc.). Listings may be shared through methods such as Vow, direct email to clients, internal broker websites, and one-on-one communication.
NEW policy - Marketing Disclosure and Acknowledgement
The owner acknowledges and understands that choosing to delay or limit the immediate marketing of the listings broadly to the general public may result in (1) a longer time to sell; (2) fewer offers; (3) a lower purchase price and/or (4) the listings not being displayed on some well-known real estate websites for the duration of the Listings Contract.
What Didn't Change
Time Limits and Status Changes
Listings may remain in Coming Soon status for up to 21 days from the date all necessary signatures have been obtained on the listing agreement.
The listing broker may update the On-Market Date at any time to shorten the 21-day period and move the listing to Active status earlier.
Days on Market (DOM)
DOM will begin accruing when the listing transitions from Coming Soon to the Active Status.
Status Reversion Prohibited
Once the listing transitions from the Coming Soon Status to the Active Status (or any other status), it cannot revert back to the Coming Soon during the terms of the same listing agreement.
The Multiple Listing Options Disclosure form is immediately available on the Forms & Documents page of the NAAR website. Thank you for your patience as we are in the process of adding it to TransactionDesk.
Introducing NAAR's New Launch Dashboard
NAAR is thrilled to introduce the Launch Dashboard, designed in partnership with FBS, to make your work faster, simpler, and more efficient. With a single login, you'll have one-click access to all MLS and Association-provided applications without multiple passwords. The dashboard’s clean, mobile-responsive design allows you to customize your workspace by rearranging application tiles, exploring product videos, and accessing support resources.
The Launch Dashboard will be available beginning October 28, 2025.
ListHub July MLS Report
Stay informed with the latest market insights, available to you every month through ListHub. July’s MLS Report is ready to download, giving you a clear look at the data and trends shaping our local market.
Curious about how ListHub can support your business? Take a quick tour of your MLS-level dashboard in the video above and see how easy it is to access reports, track activity, and put data to work for your clients.
AAR Secures Regulatory change in Coconino County
The Arizona REALTORS® has successfully secured a major win for property rights and regulatory clarity in Coconino County. After raising concerns about the county’s septic permitting process, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) issued a directive requiring the County to stop mandating that only county staff conduct site and soil investigations. This policy had long caused unnecessary costs and delays for property owners, developers, and REALTORS®, despite Arizona law allowing qualified non-governmental professionals to perform these tasks.
Thanks to direct advocacy efforts, ADEQ’s directive now ensures Coconino County must comply with statewide standards, notify stakeholders of the change, and outline steps for implementation. This resolution restores consistency in permitting practices, reduces barriers to property transactions, and reinforces the Arizona REALTORS®’ mission to protect private property rights. The association also commends AAR President-elect Lisa Paffrath for elevating this issue and ADEQ for acting swiftly to restore accountability and transparency.
New Innovations to Raise the Bar on Fraud Protection
The American Land Title Association (ALTA) has introduced two new policy endorsements to protect homeowners against the rising threat of seller impersonation fraud, where criminals forge deeds or mortgages to illegally sell property and steal proceeds. These endorsements provide post-policy protection by covering legal costs needed to correct public records if fraudulent documents are recorded. With real estate fraud causing $174 million in losses in 2024 and the average claim exceeding $143,000, these new products offer homeowners crucial financial protection and peace of mind.
In addition to the endorsements, ALTA has updated its Best Practices framework to help title agents detect and prevent emerging fraud schemes. The guidance includes stronger identity verification during closings, enhanced training for staff, stricter oversight of notaries and signing agents, and clear protocols for addressing suspected fraud. ALTA has also released educational resources, including a video and infographics, to raise awareness of seller impersonation fraud and promote industry-wide standards for protecting homeowners.
Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan Seeks Community Feedback
The City of Flagstaff is updating the Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan to reflect progress and improve the community’s experience using the Plan. The City invites residents to attend a community open house to learn about local climate action efforts, share ideas, and help shape the City’s path forward.
Next Open House:
October 1st, 4:30-7pm @ East Flagstaff Community Library
As part of the update to the Plan, City staff will revise Flagstaff’s greenhouse gas emissions projections and report on progress since 2021. The Carbon Neutrality Plan will be redesigned to improve accessibility and usability. This update will not change the City’s three carbon neutrality goals nor the Plan’s core strategies, which seek to reduce emissions, increase resilience, and ensure community equity.
Spreading Kindness with NAAR
Congratulations to our August recipient, Tamra Stark. Thanks for who you are and your contribution to our community!
The Health & Wellness Committee invites you to nominate an NAAR REALTOR® or affiliate who deserves a special thank you for their hard work and kindness. Next month's winner will be randomly selected from nominees—so let’s spread positivity and brighten someone’s day!
Upcoming Events
Register for local NAAR events directly on our website using the button below. If you’re interested in volunteering with NAAR next month, contact Community Outreach Committee Chair, Hunter Hicks at hunterhicks418@gmail.com for more information.
10/9 - Vitalant Blood Drive (Community Outreach)
10/13 - NAAR OFFICE CLOSED: Indigenous Peoples' Day
10/14 - Health & Wellness Experience Fair
10/21 - CPR Training & Certification Class
MLS Complaint Summary
August 25 - September 25
Click here for ADRE Disciplinary Actions
MLS Rules and Regulations Reminder
Upon final closing, the listing broker must change the listing to "sold" and report the correct sales price by the end of the third calendar day (72 hours) after the final closing date. Listings not marked as "sold" within 72 hours will receive a fine of "FINE LEVEL B" is assessed for failing to update the status.
Please take a moment to review the NAAR MLS Rules and Regulations and the NAAR MLS Penalty Policy.
