New Updated MHMLS Listing Agreements - Contracts

Our Elf at MHMLS has whipped up some holiday magic for you in the form of newly configured listing agreements. With more and more listing agreements being emailed or faxed it is impossible to retain the legal size original intact. Therefore, we have made the listing agreement a two page form. We added some enhancements to make it easier to work with and easier to transmit via email or fax.
The form is a PDF file which will permit you print it out and use it as a conventional form. Or you may open it and fill in the blank fields with your computer. This will produce a clean and legible listing agreement. You can find these new forms on the MHMLS system by going to TOOLKIT> FORMS & DOCUMENTS> 2011 MLS FORMS. You will also find the Status Form there.
I would suggest you download the listing agreements to your local computer so you can use them without having to be connected to MHMLS. In this way you will always have listing agreements on hand.
Please note there are two types of listing agreements pertaining to property for sale (not rent). For example you will find and Exclusive Right to Sell and an Exclusive Right to Sell CELaw. The latter form is in compliance with the relatively new Commission Escrow Law. The difference between the two forms, and it is significant, is item ‘3B’. It is the principal broker that determines which of the forms to use. You CANNOT comingle the language of item 3B into one agreement.
We hope you will find these new agreements beneficial.

MHMLS Members Star in Video

I am pleased and honored to announce that Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Services members are highlighted in a Realtor Property Resource (RPR) informational video. Members were interviewed at the RPR launch on October 5, 2010 at the Poughkeepsie Grand. This video will be part of the RPR presentations at the National Association of Realtors Conference and Expo in New Orleans from November 5 – 8, 2010.

Again, thanks to all those that volunteered to beta test the site and contribute their input to fine tune the site’s content and workflow. And to the leadership at MHMLS that permitted a vision be become a reality for another value added tool for our Realtor members. Personally, I am proud to be part of a group that is not afraid to move forward; embrace technology offerings that make sense to secure our industry’s welfare.

You may click on the link below to see the video:

http://videos.narrpr.com/services/player/bcpid658220540001?bctid=658283788001

Regards,
Sandy

New RPR Site is LIVE!!!!!

The October 5, 2010 launch of the Realtor Property Resource (RPR) went off without a hitch. The live demonstration at The Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel was attended by about 200 members. If you were unable to attend you missed a dynamic presentation by Mona Steen, Senior Vice-President, Ernie Bottom, Industry Relations – East Region and Reggie Nicolay, Director of Social Media. The site is available to all Realtor members of MHMLS through use of their NAR NRDS#. We are proud and excited to bring this production enhancement tool to you and to be the first MLS in New York to launch RPR to its members.
You may access the RPR site at www.narrpr.com. Added features to RPR are the links embedded at the bottom of the first page that permits you to log into the MHMLS Agent site (midhudsonmls.com), the MHMLS Public/Open House site (midhudsonmlshomes.com) and the MHMLS Blog (http://mid-hudsonmls.blogspot.com). Information about RPR can be found on this blog site by clicking the older posts link.

KEY BOXES - We Want Your Opinion

MHMLS would like to get the opinion of our membership on lock boxes. A few years ago we investigated the option of utilizing electronic boxes. After careful consideration and membership opinion the consensus was not to migrate to them. The cost associated with them and the user maintenance was found unappealing. We maintained the use of the key boxes whereby the boxes are purchased by the broker and agent for about $30 each. The lock box key is given to any MHMLS member at no cost except for a $100 deposit which is returned when the member surrenders the key in compliance with the MHMLS rules governing such.

We believe due to economic conditions and the cost that electronic lock boxes are still not seen favorable by the membership. It is evident many brokers and agents are using combination boxes more frequently. With that said MHMLS is considering eliminating supporting a key lock box system. Please comment in the comment section of this blog whether or not you are for or against this consideration. Please indicate your agent ID within the comment for validation.

We are soliciting your position as to ensure our thinking to eliminating a key lock box system is correct. This will NOT occur if the majority is not in favor. Please take the time to comment and/or make suggestion regarding key boxes to give us direction in how we may better serve your needs.

Thank You - Sandy

RPR Launch Scheduled for MHMLS

It is time to give you an update and bring you some exciting news about the Realtor Property Resource (RPR). MHMLS has a tentative launch date of the week of October 4, 2010 for all our Realtor members to access RPR. Our beta testers continue to work on the system and aid the RPR developers in fine tuning the application. While the majority of beta tester’s participation is above expectations it is appropriate to single out those who went beyond. Special thanks to Kelly Bente, Jeff Eraca, Rick Rielly and Tina Vaitkus.

I participated in a conference call yesterday with the RPR implementation team. This is part of one report.
“Since April, we have been beta testing the early release of the production version of the RPR, and thanks to the thousand or so testers in 13 different MLSs, we’ve made significant improvements in the application, and also completed the data loading of 147,000,000 property records. We’ve also been building lots of “behind the scenes” tools to make sure that when we launch the RPR to your members, the process, data and service work as they should. Those include not only tools that automate data feeds and provide back office management, but the addition of a full service US-based call center that will respond to emails, chats and phone requests for help from your members, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We’re also building communications, training, and marketing tools to make sure you and your staff are ready and informed, and that your members have great training options once we’ve launched.
And we’re very close to being ready! We will launch the RPR application in our first markets—Reelfoot Association of Realtors in Union City, TN, and Monroe County Association of Realtors in Monroe, MI, the week of August 16—just one month from now. The following week we will begin launching our beta test markets, and then all enrolled MLSs in roughly the order that their contracts were signed. We’ve put together a tentative launch schedule, and if our timeframe synchs with yours, we will plan to launch the RPR to the members of the Mid-Hudson MLS the week of 10/4/2010.”
Even after our launch enhancement will continue to be added. Focus will be on Plat Maps, subdivision geographies, street view, polygon drawing and overlays. New York will have the largest number of MLS’s participating in the RPR. RPR is working to secure the tax records for properties in 62 New York counties.

All of this is very exciting and we are pleased to be on the ground floor. As we get closer to launch or as new items of interest develop I shall keep you informed.

Tax Credit Closing Deadline Extended

Congress has passed the bill extending the Homebuyer’s Tax Credit closing deadline to September 30, 2010. The extension only applies to signed contracts in place as of April 30, 2010 that have not closed yet. Please note this does NOT extend the tax Credit program it only extends the time to close the property that was in contract on or before April 30, 2010.

RPR Beta Site Launched At MHMLS

Today was an exciting day at MHMLS. Jeff Young and Ron France from the Realtors Property Resource RPR opened the site to the beta testers to test the RPR using the MHMLS live and property record data. This is so huge and I am so proud that MHMLS is selected and our Realtor members have stepped up to test the first MLS beta site in New York and only the twelfth in the country of over 900 MLS’s. The site is populated with the active listing data from MHMLS and it will soon contain the sold data as well. At the end of the beta period, expected to last approximately 120 days the site will be accessible to all Realtor members of MHMLS. All you will need is you NRDS number.

There are twenty beta testers that have volunteered their time to pound on the site, to find issues and make recommendations to the RPR developers. Each beta tester brings a unique quality and expertise to the process. They include brokers, agents, technically proficient and those not so technically proficient but have the wisdom and experience of years in our industry. Also included are those that work in more than one area. Areas included along with Dutchess, are Orange, Columbia, Ulster, Putnam and Westchester Counties.

I shall keep you posted as we progress.

Listing Load Auto Save Update

The Listing Load module is updated to include new functionality that I believe you will welcome. While you are entering a listing the system will permit you to click the link marked “Partially Save and Continue” and save the work you have done up to that point. If you do not click the link the system will automatically save your work every 10 minutes. There is a timer on the Listing Load page that counts down the time left before the auto save is executed. You will see the page refresh and reload for a moment then you will be able to proceed as normal. We have set the timer to 10 minutes as the default. After using this feature and you think in practicality the time is too short or too long a period let me know and it can be adjusted. You should note that the dialog boxes that you see when you first start entering a listing will appear different although the operation remains the same.

Sales Commissions Missing In Action

I have just completed the first quarter sales numbers by individual broker office. In the past I have brought to your attention the steady penetration into our market of out of area brokers selling your inventory. This discussion is usually met with complacency or circular reasoning that it is in the best interest of the seller to garner exposure in multiple markets. Whether this is true or not, I’m not sure. In my opinion the jury is out. The fact is as follows. From 2005 through the first quarter of 2010 over one-half billion dollars in commissioned sales has gone to out of area brokers. Below is a breakout you may find of interest. With the economic climate our industry is in I can’t help but to think, Its My Money! Or at least it should be.

2005 $126, 484, 132 Market Share 4.7%

2006 $135, 491, 894 5.5%

2007 $ 152, 560,864 6.9%

2008 $110, 135, 166 6.97%

2009 $97, 595, 009 7%

2010 $19, 377, 160 7.9%

Total $641, 644, 225

Listing Hit Reports from ListHub

The ListHub metrics report documents outlining the number of hits your listings from Mid-Hudson MLS are getting on various web sites are available by month below.

February 2010 www.mydreamhouse.com/lhfeb10.pdf
January 2010 www.mydreamhouse.com/lhjan10.pdf
December 2009 www.mydreamhouse.com/lhdec09.pdf
November 2009 www.mydreamhouse.com/lhnov09.pdf
October 2009 www.mydreamhouse.com/lhoct09.pdf

Your listings are automatically sent to the following real estate search websites in addition to the existing web portals for broad exposure to potential buyers. The ListHub enhancement includes and it not limited to Google Base, Yahoo! Real Estate, Trulia, Zillow, Homescape, MyREALTY, CLR Search, AOL Real Estate, Vast, Oodle, Hotpads.com, Cyberhomes, FrontDoor and many more! For a complete list of channels, visit www.ListHub.com. Public search results generated at these sites will be redirected to the MHMLS public page, www.mydreamhouse.com for display in its standard format highlighting the listing agent. The ListHub may contact you regarding an upgrade that provides reporting on the traffic to your online listings, both for the brokerage, as well as for individual listings (great for sharing with sellers). The goal is to help our members to step up their online marketing strategy. To view sample reports available to you, please visit http://www.listhub.net/broker.html. If you have questions about ListHub, you may contact them at 877.847.3394 x738.

NYSAR Business Meeting Synopsis

Let me give you an update of what is going on at the NYSAR Business Meeting in balmy Albany (balmy as long as you don’t leave the hotel). Dutchess County is very well represented with a contingency from DCAR and WCR.

I arrived Monday afternoon in time for the Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee meeting. Kevin Mc Queen, President of Focus Forward Consulting underscored the changes in mobile technology and the need for agents to keep up with those changes. The real estate buyers want real time data and they want it now. Technology such as doing a GPS search for properties around the exact location you are standing with your phone. We are in an on-demand environment where the consumer dictates when they want information from you 24-7. No more can we say I’ll get it for you on Monday when the office opens. In my view consumers are the Realtors competitors when it comes to information. He also touched on the Realtor Property Resource (RPR) that I wrote in this blog after the NAR meetings. I’ll write more about the RPR later.

Fred Cantor chaired the Commission Protection Working Group meeting with NYSAR legal staff Mike Kelly and Anthony Gatto. A survey was reviewed that was sent out to gauge the membership’s use of the provisions of the Commission Escrow Act of 2008. The work group agreed to additional communication and education pertaining to the Act. The survey revealed the Act as being underutilized. Information on the Act and its’ provisions may be found on www.nysar.com .

The evening was finished off with Inaugural Dinner installing the NYSAR officers for 2010. Special recognition was given to Joan Sanford as Realtor of the Year and Kim-Marie Mullin as president-elect for NY State Women’s Council of Realtors. The event was very nice and a goodtime was had by all.

The Association Update Tuesday outlined initiatives planned for NYSAR for 2010. Top on President Hank Fries list is to bring greater cultural diversity to the NYSAR ranks through a newly appointed PAG. A presentation followed on the RPR program with the beta testing to begin this spring. There is more information on the RPR in my older postings of the blog. This topic had much buzz and discussion of the pros and cons of this initiative took place during the question and answer period after the demonstration.

Wednesday began with the Joint Board Forums and a presentation by Susan Young of Realtor.com. She demonstrated the new look Realtor.com, the tools available for the public to research properties, an Open House function and the enhanced features available to agents with priced upgrades. Also, iPhone users are able to search for active listings from where they are on Realtor.com by downloading the application (app) to their iPhone. This is one of the items Kevin Mc Queen spoke of on Monday. For more information you may contact Susan Young of Realtor.com at susan.young@realtor.com .

The Large Board Forum discussions centered on engaging younger people into leadership positions, the benefit of members attending the Leadership Training Program, utilizing social networking and the issue of dealing with negative comments (agent ratings) posted on web sites by the general public.

The Legislative Policy Forum covered pending legislation that will have an impact on the real estate industry. Mike Kelly from NYSAR pointed to three important items of pending legislation that NYSAR opposes. A proposal to change the size of a state wetland from 12.4 contiguous acres to one acre, statewide transfer tax authorization and a “loan counseling disclosure notice” to be attached to all contracts of commercial or residential sale of real property. There will be a “call to action” for these items in the near future.

The Technology Forum demonstrated the advantages of using less expensive Netbooks for MLS access. While they are not designed to replace a laptop or desktop they are lightweight and very mobile. The iPhone and Droid were given good reviews as mobility devices. The reoccurring comment regarding devices by the presenter was that each agent should select mobility devices predicated upon the way they do business. What is right for one person may not be right for another. There was a discussion on the use of video to promote yourself and highlight your listings. Sal Prividera, NYSAR Director of Communication & Marketing demonstrated the new NYSAR web site www.nysar.com and the beta version of a mobile site www.nysar.com/mobile.htm . This is in beta and may not be always be available and the address may change at public launching.

The Lower Hudson Regional Meeting of the boards from our region gave reports on the status of their board’s and positive and negative issues each is encountering. The boards represented are Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Columbia/Greene, Rockland, Orange and Westchester/Putnam. An excellent report from Dutchess was presented by DCAR Executive Officer John Greenan outlining the new and policies and social events (FUEL) put in place this past year that have enhanced DCAR.

I did keep a very busy schedule and yet because of many sessions going on simultaneous I could not get to all of interest to me. I’ve tried to recap the highlights of the sessions I attended and relay to a snapshot of what is happening in our industry. The NYSAR Business Meetings are a worthwhile venue and I suggest you attend the next one in September.

NEW MHMLS SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS

MHMLS is announcing some new and system enhancement to the MLS system scheduled for January 13, 2010. These were some of the upgrades that were developed during my visit to our vendor LPS Real Estate Group’s facility in Kansas last June. LPS has worked with us to deliver the following:

NEW Statistical Reports
NEW Exportable Spreadsheet Grid
Updated CMA Module
Safari (MAC) and Mozilla Browser Compatibility

Statistical Reports are located under Toolkit then Statistical Reports. This search module will permit you to create some remarkable analysis metrics. Those that are lovers of number crunching are going have a field day with this. It is one of the most in-depth statistical tools available and we have it.

Exportable Spreadsheet Grid will permit you to after running an Advanced MLS Search to customize fields you need then export the grid to your computer in a format that you may open in Excel. Then you can apply the power of the Excel spreadsheet to massage the data to your need.

The CMA module is reconfigured to permit the entry of a price range or a specific price for the subject property, the mapping of the location of the subject property, the selection of the original template or two alternate templates where you may control the font and color scheme, the addition of an option to create a cover letter for the CMA, the display of the subject property and the comps on a map and the option to run the CMA without a subject property with comps only.

Those that have been waiting to use their MAC computers on MHMLS will be able to do so. MHMLS will support Safari, Mozilla and Google Chrome.

We have other enhancements in the works and will continue to upgrade the MHMLS system. I will inform you as new features are deployed.