Many MLS rules require posting "agent owner" in public and private remarks of MLS.
Article 4
REALTORS® who have a present ownership interest in property for sale or lease, or contemplated interest to purchase or lease property, must disclose in writing the existence of such interest to all parties to the transaction prior to a party signing any agreement. (Amended 1/25)
- Standard of Practice 4-1
The present ownership interest in property for sale or lease, or contemplated interest to purchase or lease property, includes transactions in which REALTORS®:
- represent themselves
- represent a member of their immediate family
- represent their firm or any broker or agent thereof
- represent an entity in which the REALTOR® or member of their immediate family has a legal interest. (Adopted 2/86, Amended 1/25)
- Standard of Practice 4-2
REALTORS® are not required to disclose the identity of the client or customer, nor the specific nature of the interest referred to in Article 4, but must disclose that an interest exists. (Adopted 1/25)
Article 5
REALTORS® shall not undertake to provide professional services concerning a property or its value where they have a present or contemplated interest unless such interest is specifically disclosed to all affected parties.
SC license law:
(F)(1) A licensee clearly shall reveal his license status in a personal transaction involving the purchase, sale, exchange, rental, lease, or auction of real estate:
(a) at first substantive contact with a consumer;
(b) in advertising or marketing in any media; and
(c) in bold, underlined, capital letters on the first page of a contract for the purchase, sale, exchange, rental, or lease of real property.
Post "agent owner" or some customary phrase for your market in all channels including MLS public remarks to convey the message via syndication advertising and MLS IDX advertising on websites and social media.
Some methods to manage the risk of license law and ethics complaints:
MLS posting. MLS public remarks (helps with MLS IDX and MLS syndication data feeds to websites and portals and socials. MLS private remarks. MLS IDX. MLS to website. MLS to social media. Advertising posting. Yard sign. Sign on the front door of the listing. Signs inside the listing. Website posting. Seller disclosure form posting. Social media. Print media.
Non-disclosure in some channels can crack the door open if someone gets upset and has an axe to grind and looks for means to complain against you.
Posting early and often could help build a defense to ethics complaints, license law complaints, and upset people.
REALTORS® have to disclose in writing to all parties before the buyer writes the offer and signs that offer to be presented.
How does a REALTOR® guarantee this occurs when an offer might come in unannounced or with the buyer agent calls you or emails you before the offer is presented? Or the buyer communicates with you directly…
MLS posting. MLS IDX. MLS to website. MLS to social media. Advertising posting. Yard sign. Sign on the front door of the listing. Signs inside the listing. Website posting. Seller disclosure form posting. Social media. Print media.
All these may help with compliance on NAR ethics Article 4. Same for the license law above here in this article.
This information is only accurate as of 6/11/25. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 6/11/25 as laws and regulations may change over time. SCR 803-772-5206 or email info at screaltors.org or email byron at screaltors.org)
This information is not legal advice. This information is intended only to provide general information and may not be relied upon as specific legal guidance. Legal counsel should always be consulted before acting in reliance on this information.