Member Q&A: Can a Delay of Submission and Coming Soon Be Used for the Same Time Period?

One of the best parts of serving our members is receiving thoughtful questions that spark great conversations—and this week’s question is one that many REALTORS® have wondered about.

The Question:
“If my seller originally signed a Delay of Submission Addendum but later decides they want to run a Coming Soon campaign during that same timeframe, is the Delay of Submission still sufficient, or should it be voided because of the Coming Soon?”

The short answer is:
A property cannot be in a Delay of Submission period and a Coming Soon status at the same time.

Here’s why
Understanding the Difference
Although both the Delay of Submission Addendum and the Coming Soon Addendum are signed in conjunction with a fully executed Listing Agreement, they serve two very different purposes.

Delay of Submission
A Delay of Submission keeps the property completely off the MLS for a period of time. During this delay:

• No public marketing is permitted.
• No yard signs, social media posts, email campaigns, flyers, or other advertising may occur.
• Showings are not permitted.
• Days on Market do not begin until the listing is submitted to the MLS.

This addendum is commonly used while a property is being prepared for market through repairs, staging, cleaning, or professional photography.

Coming Soon
Coming Soon is an official MLS status that allows a property to be entered into the MLS before showings begin. During this period:

• The listing is visible in the MLS and to the public.
• Public marketing is permitted.
• Showings remain prohibited until the designated On-Market Date.
• The Coming Soon Addendum must be uploaded with the listing, and the first sentence of the public remarks must clearly state the On-Market Date.

Why the Difference Matters
The distinction is driven by the Clear Cooperation Policy, which all REALTOR® MLSs are required to follow.

Clear Cooperation requires that once a property is publicly marketed, it must be submitted to the MLS within one (1) business day. Public marketing includes activities such as:

• Yard signs
• Social media posts
• Email blasts
• Brokerage websites
• Flyers
• Other advertising available to the general public

Because a Delay of Submission prohibits public marketing while Coming Soon is specifically designed to allow public marketing, the two cannot apply to the same period of time.

So What Happens If the Seller Changes Their Mind?
If a seller initially chooses a Delay of Submission but later decides they want to begin promoting the property before it becomes available for showings, the listing should move into the Coming Soon status.

At that point, the Delay of Submission no longer reflects the seller’s intentions because the property is now being publicly marketed.

Have an MLS Question?
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I’m not sure how these forms work together,” you’re probably not alone!

We appreciate members who ask questions like this because the answers often benefit the entire membership. If you have an MLS rule, policy, or listing question, don’t hesitate to reach out to Andrea at Andrea@WMLAR.com or 616-846-6240 ext. 105. Chances are someone else has the same question, too.

We’d much rather have a conversation before a listing is entered than issue a violation or fine afterward. If you’re unsure, ask—we’re always happy to help.