It’s very gratifying to see that so many members “get it” when it comes to database integrity. Every day, I see examples of members challenging each other to do better.

They look to CREB® to set the bar higher and to effectively enforce our business rules. We also receive great ideas about how to add value to the MLS® System – and these suggestions are not always about adding more fields. In some cases, it’s about addition by subtraction.

A good example of this is with CDOM, which refers to combined (or some say cumulative) days on market. When you input a listing, the CDOM equals the total days on market for all listings with the same LINC number that were active (or sold or terminated) within the last 30 days of each listing expiry. 

If no listings match the criteria for that LINC number, CDOM will start at zero and increment daily with the same rules as DOM (Days On Market). Over the years, various “cooling off” periods were set to prevent the old trick of re-listing a property just to restart the CDOM clock. Some members debate that 30 days is an unfair period to wait. But, hold on, why is this about being fair?

If the perception that a high CDOM total is a condition that should be explained or worked around, we need to look at that.

On one hand, there have been no suggestions to dispense of the Days on Market (DOM) field. The measurement of the number of days a current listing has been on the market is useful to members and saves time. This is true because the value in this field needs no explanation and is intuitively understandable to consumers.

On the other hand, there is usually a story behind the CDOM calculation that requires more explanation.

Market and competitive conditions can vary over a long time period, as can the condition of a property. CDOM could be a case where too little information in a field hurts the effectiveness of the MLS® System, rather than enhances it.

Currently, CDOM only appears on reports and displays intended for members. It does not appear on client reports. The inference is that members will dig deeper when they see a high CDOM total before explaining this information to clients. It makes sense that a look through the history report and previous listings would provide useful background information for clients.

But, if it was your home, would you want the number in the CDOM field to tell the story of your sale efforts? Would you rather the history report do this?

Our database is more robust than ever so we need to think hard about shortcuts that may not add value.

Please, share your comments below and participate in the poll question on the CREB® Tools portal. Do you want CREB® to continue displaying CDOM on agent reports and displays in Matrix™?

If you value your database, it’s just as important to think about what’s already there, as it is to consider what should be added.