The monthly magazine of My Florida Regional MLS April/May 2012
Spring into Action!
Volume 2, Issue 1
Annual Marketing Issue Reports galore! Impress your clients! page 14
Market Yourself as a Stats Expert with Stats IQ! page 15
One Month FREE Proxio Trial page 17
Write Ads That Sell page 19
Quick Email Marketing Tips!
Resources & Marketing
page 22
Six Real Estate Technology Mistakes page 23
ALSO New MFRMLS Leadership page 11
My Office Savings of the Month page 35
Friendly Reminder: 2012-2013 Annual Subscription payments due before 5 pm, Tuesday, May 15
My Florida ReSource Magazine April/May 2012 Volume 2, Issue 1
April/May 2012
My Florida Regional MLS (MFRMLS) 555 Winderley Place, Suite 320 Maitland, FL 32751
In this issue... 11 MFRMLS Installs 2012-2013 Leadership ... 11 Note from Melody Hall, 2012-2013 MFRMLS President 12 RNC and Short-Term Rentals ...
In every issue... 3 Training & Tips —Recent My Tips of the Week —May 1 Course Changes!
7 Compliance Corner —It’s that time of year. Your annual subscription is about to renew! —Craigslist Reminder —Reminder: Expected Closing Date
13 Marketing & Resources Featured —Marketing: It’s all about value (and being a REALTOR®) —Reports galore! Impress your clients!
—Write Ads That Sell
Featured
Featured
—You’re Doing it Wrong: 6 Real Estate Technology Mistakes ...
My Florida Regional MLS is Florida’s largest multiple listing service with over 32,000 subscribers. Owned by 15 Shareholder REALTOR® Boards and Associations in Central and Southwest Florida, MFRMLS offers a comprehensive suite of productivity and marketing tools to professionals in the real estate industry. Positioning Statement My Florida Regional MLS is the only real estate information resource that helps our members deliver quality service to their customers by providing the tools and opportunity to succeed in their profession.
Melody Hall, President Steve Amburgey, President-Elect Joe Perez, Vice President Michael Bindman, Treasurer Bill Dryburgh, Immediate Past President
Featured
Featured
—Quick Email Marketing Tips
About MFRMLS
2012-2013 MFRMLS Officers
Featured
—Market yourself as a stats expert with Stats IQ! —Free One Month Proxio Trial ...
Featured
Tel: (407) 960-5300 Toll-Free: (800) 686-7451 Fax: (407) 960-5450
Featured
27 Real Estate News —Big changes to BofA short sale process ...
29 Spotlights —Team Member: Sue Queen, Senior Help Desk Technician —Product and Services: Stats IQ
31 Commercial Real Estate News (presented by MFCRE)
—Smart Decision Making in an Uncertain Age
33 Around the House (an article for current and future homeowners) —Simple Tips for Better Home Showings
MFRMLS Executives Merri Jo Cowen, CEO Jay Markell, CFO, COO Deanna Rogers, VP of Business Development Carole Burgess, VP of Administration Jennifer Thompson-Kersting, VP of Sales and Marketing Editorial Staff Natashia Ford, Editor Doug Wise, Editor, Creative Director
How does RatePlug help Agents in today’s market?
1.
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Visit www.rateplug.com/mfrmls to enroll
*Participating lenders pay a license fee.
www.MFRMLS.com
April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 2
&
Training
Y M
of the WEEK
Tips
Recent My Tips of the Week Go to http://www.mfrmls.com/resources/education-and-training/my-tip-ofthe-week for more My Tips of the Week.
March 5, 2012 Looking to shorten the timeframe in between transactions going from “list” to “contract” and to comply with the FTC requirements regarding mortgage advertising? Then give RatePlug a try! A recent study shows that Agents that are active with RatePlug experience an average of a 23.71% reduction in the transaction timeline between List Date and Contract Date. Additionally, RatePlug guarantees that Brokers and Agents using RatePlug are fully compliant with the new FTC guidelines. Best of all, RatePlug is included in your MFRMLS membership, so why not take advantage! Click here to get started!
March 12, 2012 Using the new Green Certifications field in MLXchange? Then don’t forget to upload proof of certification after you enter or update your listing. Under Listing Summary for your listing, simply click on the Attachments section, Add New Attachment and then upload documentation or certification of the respective green/energy efficient feature that you chose when entering or updating the listing. Note: For the list of attachment types, choose “other” as the type. As a reminder, under Article 4, Section 27 (http://mfrmls.myismart.com/ articles/search?q=4.27) of the MFRMLS Rules & Regulations, documented proof or certification of any “Energy Efficient” features or ratings (those found in the Green Certifications field) “must be uploaded to the listing immediately following listing entry or update.”
3 | My Florida ReSource | April/May 2012
Volume 2, Issue 1
April 9, 2012 Using Data Co-op? Data Co-op can be accessed through the home page of MLXchange, in the SmartLinks section. Once in the Data Co-op, agents can search by address and/or MLS ID Number, as well as other additional property features. Agents have access to listing information from MLXchange and Public Record, giving them easy access to several reports and other info, including: —Real AVM Report (you can see what lenders see) —Listing/Market Activity Report —Neighborhood Report —Listing Info —Tax and Public Record Info —Comparable Properties
MLS Data Co-op
—Statistics —Community Demographics —and much, much more. So, find the Data Co-op link under the SmartLinks section in MLXchange and find success with Data Co-op!
April 23, 2012 How do you market a listing in a 55+ or 62+ retirement community in the MLS? 1. Locate the Inventory Watch menu on the homepage of MLXchange, and then click on the Active Listings link. 2. Check or select the listing that you want to market as an age-based retirement community, and then click the Edit button. 3. Finally, scroll down to locate the Housing for Older Person’s field, selecting 55+ and/or 62+. Please note: To use this option, you must validate that this community is listed on the FCHR website, adding the renewal date for FCHR. Or, you can upload a notarized affidavit if the community is not registered with FCHR. Hint: Click on the question mark help bubble for this field in MLXchange, which will provide the link to the FCHR website, as well as the affidavit. www.MFRMLS.com
April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 4
Class is Now in Session!
" U " g i B o G Have you been to MFRMLS University? This training portal will connect you to the many courses available to you as an MFR Member. Online, or in person, we’ve got a class for you. Looking to learn in your pajamas? With easy registration and no waiting, you can bring our trainers into your home through live and recorded webinars. Available online, you can save gas and you can save time. Best of all, the courses are free. Need face time? No problem. MFRMLS University also connects you to live courses taught at your association/board by MFRMLS instructors. With interactive sessions in a classroom setting, you’ll be an expert in no time. In-person or online, MFRMLS University can help you boost ered with your membership. Log on today to learn more!
www.MFRMLSUniversity.com
5 | My Florida ReSource | April/May 2012
Volume 2, Issue 1
&
Training
Tips
May 1 Course Changes! By MFRMLS Staff Hello MFRMLS students/members! Please note: Effective May 1, 2012, there are course changes, including new courses and new course requirements, coming to the MFRMLS Education and Training department. Here are the May 1, 2012, changes: Compliance 101—NEW Course (*required) *New members (on or after May 1, 2012): Required to take Compliance 101 within 60 days of becoming an MFRMLS member. *Current members (before May 1, 2012): Required to take Compliance 101 by April 30, 2014. After April 30, 2014, all members will be required to take Compliance 101 every two years. Course description: In this class you will learn about the My Florida Regional MLS Rules and Regulations and the compliance procedure for accuracy of Listing Data, along with additional educational materials available on MFRMLSUniversity.com. This class is available through live webinars or you may attend at any Association/Board.
—MFRMLS University Entering & Updating Listings is now called Adding & Modifying Listings Course description: This class is mandatory if you will be adding and modifying listings in the MLS. You will be taught how to input and modify listings, enter photos, and add attachments, along with valuable tips and techniques. This class is available through live webinars or you may attend at any Association/Board.
Link to course calendar: www. mfrmls.com/resources/training-andevents We look forward to seeing you in class!
—Profile Sheets —Adding listing information to the MLS —Adding photos, attachments, Open Houses —ShowingTime, RealBiz 360, lockboxes Other NEW courses We are pleased to present you with the following three new courses:
—Rules and Regulations
—Statistics
—Profile Sheet Terms
—CMA (not the 3 CE course)
—iSmart Tool
—Mobile Agent Class
www.MFRMLS.com
Please click on the following link to download all of your course descriptions, including your new course descriptions: www.mfrmls. com/resources/document-library/ doc_download/563-mfrmls-trainingcourses-effective-5112
April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 6
Compliance Corner
Thank you. MFRMLS prides itself on accurate data, and one of our goals is to maintain a listing service that is successful for everyone. With that said, we want to thank all of our members who comply with our rules and regulations. If there is a violation, a warning will be issued. Most warning notices allow 24 hours for correction before a fine is assessed. However, failure to change the status of a listing is a more serious offense, which is an automatic fine without any warning notice.
April statistics for rules violations: Total number of Warnings: 6,884 (March: 7,160) Total number of Agents Reported: 1,028 (March: 1,206) Total number of Fines assessed: 51 (March: 78)
Top five violations for April: 1. Status – failure to change the status from pending to sold within two business days of the closing. 2. Short Sale – failure to add “Short Sale” as the first two words in the Public and Realtor Remarks. 3. Incorrect Photo – failure to add a front exterior or rendering, or aerial photo or water view photo in the first photo slot. If a water view or aerial photo is in the 1st slot, the 2nd photo slot must contain a front exterior photo. If placing a water view photo, it must be a photo from the property/unit. Photos may not contain any contact information, text, etc. 4. Driving Directions – are required and must be for narrative directions that include full street names, beginning and ending points and use standard directional designations. Reference to online electronic mapping isn’t allowed (e.g. Mapquest, Google, GPS is not acceptable.) 5. Active with Contact (AWC) – failure to have seller’s written authorization and/or add the “Active with Contract” in the Public Remarks directly after “Short Sale,” if applicable.
7 | My Florida ReSource | April/May 2012
Volume 2, Issue 1
It’s that time of year! Your annual subscription is about to renew! By MFRMLS Staff Reminder: Your 2012-2013 MFRMLS and/or MFCRE subscription payment is due by May 15 before 5 pm.
More Compliance Corner on page 9.
Your subscription with My Florida Regional MLS (MFRMLS) is about to renew. Please know that we are committed to providing you with top-notch products and services to help you grow your business, and we value your membership.
How do you pay? To PAY ONLINE, please visit https://mdweb.marketlinx.com/mfr/ (and log into the Membership Director payment center, using your MLXchange log-in credentials). Payments can also be taken over the phone by calling 407-960-5300 or 1-800686-7451. However, to reduce wait time, we encourage you to pay online. It’s FREE and the online payment center accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and electronic check payments. MLS fees are non-refundable in full or pro-rata.
What’s the due date? Due date: Your annual payment is due before 5 pm on May 15, 2012. (Late fee: $50 after 5 pm on May 15, 2012 and before 5 pm on May 31, 2012. Reactivation fee: After 5 pm on May 31, 2012, accounts will be suspended and incur a $150 reactivation fee (in place of the late fee).)
Questions? Our Administration staff is here to help! Call 1-800-686-7451 (option #3) or 407-960-5300 (option #3). Administration Dept Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–5:00 pm Note: If you are a Punta Gorda-North Charlotte-North Port Association member, please contact your association at 941-629-8261 for billing. Thank you for your subscription, and we look forward to helping you reach your goals. www.MFRMLS.com
April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 8
Craigslist Reminder By MFRMLS Staff In light of recent occurrences relating to unauthorized postings of listings on Craigslist by someone other than the listing agent, MFR would like to remind you to check to be certain your listings are not misrepresented as a rental or for-sale by an unknown party. If you discover a problem with a listing that you did not post yourself, try this link from Craigslist: http://www.craigslist.org/ about/scams. We’d also like to offer a reminder that using listing information directly from MLXchange or an IDX feed to post listings of another agent/brokerage is against the MFRMLS Rules and Regulations. Brokers and agents are, of course, welcome to post their own listings on classified advertising sites such as Craigslist, but if the listing belongs to another member, you must first have permission from the listing broker to advertise his/her listing(s). MFRMLS Policies and Rules have recently been updated to include an automatic fine for advertising listings of another agent/broker without permission from the listing broker, outside of authorized IDX use. The first offense will carry an automatic $500 penalty; the second offence will result in an automatic penalty of $5,000; further violations may lead to additional fines and possible suspension of membership. MFR encourages all brokers and agents to ask for permission before posting another broker’s listing without permission.
Compliance Corner 9 | My Florida ReSource | April/May 2012
Reminder: Expected Closing Date Do you have “Active with Contract” or “Pending” listing? If so, please ensure the Expected Closing Date field has the correct date. Also, if you receive a warning notice, please make sure you make the necessary corrections within one day, excluding weekends and federally recognized holidays (i.e. update the listing with the new date, etc.). Otherwise, a fine will be issued. Thank you for your help in making the MFRMLS database as accurate as possible.
Volume 2, Issue 1
for MFRMLS members! Have you heard about MLS Data Co-op™? MLS Data Co-op is a My Florida Regional MLS (MFRMLS) member benefit that provides you with new tools, new reports, and a new way to access MLS listings. Best of all, there’s no additional fee to use MLS Data Co-op, so be sure to take advantage of this new, value-added MLS tool! Here are some MLS Data Co-op highlights:
MLS Data Co
MLS Data Without Border
—Enhanced mapping and parcel boundaries —Sales history —Price and days on market analysis —Nearby comparable sales —Community demographic charts —Neighborhood demographic report —School information —Real estate trends —Foreclosure map overlays (pre-default, auction and bank-owned/REO) —RealAVM™ report (MLS Enhanced Property Value Report) —LAMAR™ report (Listing and Market Activity Report)
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Access MLS listings
Whether you have a client who’s r can tap into the MLS data you ne public-facing sites, it’s the agent-t listings, neighborhood, and more
Market your proper
Your MLS has always been the bes It’s also a great way to get your lis county who may have clients relo properties. Unlike public sites tha professional benefit, MLS Data Co in other markets.
You can access MLS Data Co-op directly within MLXchange (by clicking on the link in the SmartLinks section of the Home page). Or, for more information, visit the following link to access the MFRMLS Member Benefits page on Data Co-op: www.mfrmls.com/member-benefits/ mlxchange-benefits/data-co-op
For more information
Visit the Data Co-op Member Benefits page on MFRMLS.com: www.mfrmls.com/member-benefits/mlxchange-benefits/data-co-op
www.MFRMLS.com
April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 10
MFRMLS installs 2012-2013 leadership, including new President By MFRMLS Staff On Friday, April 20, MFRMLS installed its 20122013 Board of Directors, including its Officers. Here are the new Oficers: President: Melody Hall President-Elect: Steve Amburgey Vice President: Joe Perez Treasurer: Michael Bindman Immediate Past President: Bill Dryburgh To see the new Board of Directors, please visit http://www.mfrmls.com/about-us/board-of-directors Congrats to all of our new Officers and Directors, and we look forward to a successful year!
A note from Melody Hall, 2012-2013 MFRMLS President: Greetings fellow MFRMLS members, I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself and share my plans for the future of our organization. As the recently installed President of the MFRMLS Board of Directors, it is important that you know that I believe we are fortunate to belong to one of the most innovative and service oriented multiple listing services in the nation. 11 | My Florida ReSource | April/May 2012
Although we have an excellent staff of trainers, help desk staff and technical support, who are always available to assist you with utilization of products and services, there is always room for improvement and change. We welcome your input as we strive to continually improve as an organization. Furthermore, I would like to encourage you to utilize the many resources offered through MFRMLS. Your annual subscription fees pay for the majority of tools that are provided to you. Challenge yourself to participate in a class or webinar and learn to use a new product! It
really can enhance and simplify your business. We are well into 2012 and it has proven to be an active year thus far. Our inventory has diminished and prices continue to stabilize. Our staff and board members look forward to assisting you in making this a very prosperous year. Sincerely, Melody Hall President, MFRMLS
Volume 2, Issue 1
The RNC and Short-Term Rentals: A message from Florida Realtors By MFRMLS Staff Hello MFRMLS members, As you have probably seen in prior articles about the Short-Term Rental field, the Republican National Convention is coming to Tampa in late August this year and MFRMLS is partnering with Florida Realtors® to help market short-term rental opportunities to people attending the convention. The first step is getting more short-term rentals in the MLS. Please see the following message from John Sebree, Senior Vice President of Public Policy for Florida Realtors®: Dear member, We have an exciting opportunity for you. The Republican National Convention will be held in Tampa from August 27-30, 2012. Due to a shortage of hotel rooms, we believe there is an opportunity for REALTORS®, as well as their clients, to rent their own homes, investment properties, and any unoccupied rental properties to visiting delegates, families, media and others. Our hope is to market this opportunity outside of Florida and encourage convention attendees to turn the convention into a family vacation opportunity, arriving in Florida early and staying after the convention ends. For instance, even if your primary listing area is one or two hours from Tampa, we believe there is an opportunity to www.MFRMLS.com
market your short-term rental to convention attendees, given the fact there are many vacation destinations in Florida. As a result, in order to take advantage of this opportunity, we’d like to utilize the fact that My Florida Regional MLS (MFRMLS) has added a short-term rental field to its MLS, including a short-term rental field to its consumer website, MyFloridaHomesMLS.com. Here is where we need your help: We need you to populate this short-term rental field in MLXchange so that convention attendees can go to MyFloridaHomesMLS.com and search for short-term rentals. How do you populate this shortterm rental field? For instructions on how to populate this short-term rental field in MLXchange, please visit the following link for more information: http:// www.mfrmls.com/news/550how-to-add-short-term-rentalsin-mlxchange We thank you for your help. We will be eager to market this potential for short-term rentals outside of Florida as soon as we get a good number of properties listed.
“Vote” Long Term Y/N
=N
for Rentals in MLXchange to add Short-Term rentals to the MLS.
Visit the following link for more information on how to populate the shortterm rental field and how MFRMLS is partnering with Florida Realtors to promote your short-term rentals to people attending the Republican National Convention: http://www.mfrmls.com/ news/558-the-rnc-andshort-term-rentals-amessage-from-floridarealtors
John M. Sebree Senior Vice President of Public Policy Florida Realtors April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 12
Marketing: It’s all about value (and being a REALTOR®) By Doug Wise, MFRMLS Communications Specialist Marketing is essential in any competitive business environment. So, what is marketing? According to the American Marketing Association (bear with us through this definition), marketing is “the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large”. Did your eyes glaze over? Well let us break that definition down into one simple word: value. Essentially, value is the key to marketing. As a REALTOR®, what value are you delivering to your clients?
Even if you’re not a REALTOR®, such as having an MFRMLS membership as a Thompson Broker, you’re still ahead in the game with your access to MFRMLS tools and information.
Well, you’re already ahead in the game, because having the REALTOR® brand to your name is, in its own regard, value for your clients. Being a REALTOR® means, beyond other things, that you’re serious about the real estate profession, that you adhere to a REALTOR® code of ethics and that, quite simply, you have access to tools and other sources of information that most non-REALTORS® don’t have. And hopefully that’s where MFRMLS plays a part in your success: helping to bring value to your REALTOR® brand. (And even if you’re not a REALTOR®, such as having an MFRMLS membership as a Thompson Broker, you’re still ahead in the game with your access to MFRMLS tools and information.) Through the products and services we offer, including education and training, we hope to provide value that you can use to make yourself more valuable to your clients. After all, the more you know about your profession and the more tools you have, the more value you can bring to your next client meeting.
Resources & Marketing 13 | My Florida ReSource | April/May 2012
And, of course, the more you know and the more unique you are, the more you standout from your competition—and that makes you even more valuable! So without further ado, we hope you find value in all issues of My Florida ReSource, including the following articles in this expanded “Resources & Marketing” section. Thank you for reading.
In this section Reports galore! Impress your clients! (page 14) Market Yourself as a Stats Expert with Stats IQ! (page 15) One Month FREE Proxio Trial (page 16) Write Ads That Sell (page 17) Quick Email Marketing Tips! (page 20) Six Real Estate Technology Mistakes (page 21) Volume 2, Issue 1
Reports galore! Impress your clients! Marketing Resource Standout and showcase your expertise utilizing your MFRMLS reports. By MFRMLS Staff As an MFRMLS member, did you know that Data Co-op is one of many options you have to obtain reports and impress your clients? Check out the video below to learn how you can compile a striking listing or buyer presentation with various MFRMLS stats and reports (including Data Co-op)! Click on the video screenshot below to link to the video.
Have you seen this icon? We like to call it the “House in the Hand” and it’s the icon for Down Payment Resource. It could help your client get a down payment for his or her home. For more information please visit http://www.mfrmls.com/ member-benefits/down-payment-resource/dpr-in-mlxchange
Link to download video transcript: http://www.mfrmls.com/resources/ document-library/doc_download/554-reports-galore-transcript
www.MFRMLS.com
April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 14
Market Yourself as a Stats Expert with Stats IQ! And upgrade to rbiEXPERT with new, lower pricing! Marketing Resource Standout and showcase your Stats expertise utilizing Stats IQ. By MFRMLS Staff Looking to get accurate, updated listing statistics for the MFRMLS listing area? Looking to see those statistics in nice, easy-to-read graphs and reports? Then Stats IQ, powered by RealEstate Business Intelligence (RBI), is your answer!
To learn more about Stats IQ, visit the Member Benefits page for Stats IQ on MFRMLS.com: http://www.mfrmls.com/memberbenefits/stats-iq The above link to the Stats IQ Member Benefits page will provide you with the direct link to navigate to the Stats IQ website, as well as additional information about rbiEXPERT (a Stats IQ upgrade option for MFRMLS members).
So, what is rbiEXPERT? With rbiEXPERT you have the ability to view stats according to region, county or zip code. With rbiEXPERT, you also have the following features, among others: —The option to compare stats for specific listing areas (i.e. Average Days on Market for 32801 vs. 32828). —Access to a mobile product, called rbiMobile. And now rbiEXPERT is being made available to MFRMLS members at a new, lower price!
To learn more about the NEW price of rbiExpert, as well as other information about Stats IQ, please visit the Stats IQ Member Benefits page: http://www.mfrmls.com/member-benefits/stats-iq
rbiEXPERT NEW pricing
The below Market Insight report is an example of the reports you can get with Stats IQ. And, by upgrading to rbiExpert you can get reports and stats as localized as zip codes.
www.MFRMLS.com
April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 16
GAIN GLOBAL VISIBILITY! Recipe for success for today’s real estate agents and brokerages: 1. Online visibility 2. Global networking 3. Services for multicultural clients
EXPAND YOUR MARKETS WITH PROXIO:
• Property industry’s most extensive professional network • A powerful property marketing tool in 19+ languages • A trusted network with privacy safeguards Proxio is an international MLS and business network – online and exclusively for real estate professionals. Proxio provides global visibility and connections for you and your listings, plus tools for serving clients who don’t speak your language. Gain competitive advantage and borderless success!
PROXIO provides: •
Connections to real estate professionals in 100+ countries
•
Automatic translations of property listings into 19+ languages and 30 currencies
•
Global display of properties within the Proxio network, to partner sites and to Facebook.
•
Opportunity to obtain leads from global web portals, and buyer referrals from agents
•
Marketing tools to help you capture more listings
Subscribe today. Free registration and basic access included with your MFRMLS subscription! *Upgrades available back of this flyer for options) 30-day FREE Trial!(see Visit the below link to sign up!
www.Proxio.com/MFRMLS Connect. Communicate. Sell. TM
17 | My Florida ReSource | April/May 2012
Volume 2, Issue 1
One Month FREE ProxioPro Trial— Exclusive for MFRMLS Members Connect with international homebuyers By MFRMLS Staff
Marketing Resource Tap into the global real estate market through Proxio.
As an MFRMLS member, you already get your listings translated into 19 different languages through Proxio and MyFloridaHomesMLS.com. However, we’d now like to announce a FREE trial for ProxioPro, an upgraded Proxio account that allows you to: —Automatically get your listings promoted on WorldProperties.com. —Market yourself and your listings to 400,000 agents in 100 countries. —Get discounts on premium listings placement, multilingual property search ‘widgets’, and more! So, market yourself globally and connect with foreign homebuyers and other agents. There’s no obligation to purchase and no payment information needed.
Start your FREE trial today at www.proxio.com/MFRMLS Fast facts about international real estate in Florida: —Florida leads the nation in number of international homebuyers (NAR survey 2011)
MARKET yourself as an international real estate specialist with Proxio.
—1 out of 4 homes sold in Florida are to buyers from outside the US (NAR survey 2011)
Did you see the news?
MFRMLS listing areas are top in the country for global homebuyers. According to a 2012 report by Inman News, titled “10 Hotspots for Global Homebuyers,” six of the 10 hotspots for global homebuyers are in Florida. Better yet? Four of those six Florida spots are primary MFRMLS listing areas. Click on the image to the right to read the article.
http://www.inman.com/reports/global-buyers www.MFRMLS.com
April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 18
Write Ads That Sell
Effective real estate ads begin with a compelling headline and pull the audience in by making them understand how they benefit from what’s being promoted. Learn more. April 2012 | By Ian Grace When real estate professionals tell me, “When consumers read my ad, they will understand …” I respond that their ad getting read in the first place is not a foregone conclusion. Statistics show that with all advertising, only one out of five people read past the headline of an ad.
Where It All Begins Headlines are absolutely vital for any good ad. In fact, the headline and photo are the sole determining factors in whether the prospective buyer decides to read the ad at all. So, your first objective, then, should not be to create an ad that requires people to read through all of it in order to be persuaded by it. It should be to create an ad with a compelling headline to encourage five out of five people in the market you’re targeting to read it. Remember the HOODOO concept I described in my first column? (If not, go check that out now. I’ll wait.) You need to remember the “who” when you write your headline, then qualify it quickly so the reader knows you’re both on the same wavelength. Then ideally, reinforce or remind about the headline at the end of the ad. For example, let’s say you have this headline: “Swim in winter!”(The effectiveness of that would depend on which state you’re in, of course). Reading that headline, one would assume that to swim in winter, the pool would have to be heated. Thus, the qualifying statement might be: “The solar-heated pool in this home 19 | My Florida ReSource | April/May 2012
offers year-round family fun and entertaining.” When reading an ad, people can get distracted. So at the end of the ad, it pays to reinforce the headline and bring their attention back to what attracted them to the ad in the first place. For example, you could close with: “So, if you’d like to be able to swim this winter, call me today at …”
The Rules for Great Headlines Powerful headlines must contain one or more of the following: · A benefit — stated or implied — for the reader. · Something that is novel or topical. · A curiosity element (but beware of gimmicks for gimmicks’ sake). For example, you’ve probably seen or heard ad headlines like, “Announcing the all-new XYZ dishwasher, which saves you time and money!” Ask yourself, how many of the rules above are followed in that headline? That’s right, all three of them. Here’s another example —“Hard work does pay” as a headline for a property that needs a lot of work done to it. That headline has two of the rules — a benefit and also the curiosity element. It makes the reader ask “What and how much do I have to do?” and “What will the rewards be?”
What You’re Really Selling Now is probably a good time to explode a myth in the real estate industry, as it will pave the way for what I’ll be covering in later columns in order to help you to create better advertising. That myth is this: Most real estate pros around the world believe they are selling houses. Sadly, most ads in this business reflect just that. In fact, many real estate ads only seem to prove that practitioners can count — e.g., “4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 dining room.” It is vitally important to understand that you are not selling a house. What you are selling is: living there. You see, that is the picture prospective buyers have in their mind — living in their new home, which may have an extra bedroom or two, so the kids can have their own space and privacy and the resultant family harmony. Or perhaps the extra entertaining areas, where both parents and their children can host their friends at the same time, but separately. Once an ad matches the picture the prospective buyers have in their minds about what it will be likeliving there, you have a match and have now attracted the right buyer. Volume 2, Issue 1
When I was presenting at the REALTORS® Conference & Expo some years ago, Colin Powell was the keynote speaker. He told a story about a military officer who was continually transferred from base to base, city to city. Their young son was asked if it was hard for him, always living in a different home. His response was “Oh, no, no, no, no — we always live in the same home, we just put it in a different house.” It’s a cute story, but it resonates because it’s true. Think about it: If you’ve ever walked through brand-new display homes, they are normally decorated exquisitely. As you look around, you can really imagine and feel yourselfliving there and enjoying what it has to offer. However, when you buy the house and those furnishings are gone, all you have left are bare floors and walls. It doesn’t look as inviting as it did before, but then you fill it with your own furniture, furnishings, and photos, and make it your home. Consumers also need to know what living there is all about. What are the neighbors like? How close are the schools? Where are the nearest golf courses? Where is all of the retail? What transport is available and where? What are the best ways to get to work? Are there other children in the area for the kids to play with? The list goes on. Great real estate advertising will answer all these questions for them. I’ll provide a personal example of this. We sold our own property in Brisbane, before moving to the Gold Coast. The buyers lived a two-hour plane flight away, and only the husband visited our home and made the buying decision.(And yes, I created the ad campaign for our home. www.MFRMLS.com
The day before the family was due to pick up the keys from our solicitor, we agreed to meet them there and demonstrate the pool and the hot tub, their operation, and the necessary chemicals. While we were doing that, their two children ran around the house saying, “There’s my bedroom, the one with the V-shaped bookshelf.” They knew exactly which room they would be living in, even though they had never visited the home previously. That’s what great real estate advertising does. Oh, and by the way, we had four other prospective buyers lined up, waiting in case the sale fell through. The photos for these ads definitely played a role, but that’s a subject for my next column. Here’s a sneak preview of the kinds of results you can get from great pictures. I’ll tell you the story of John McKenna, a real estate professional based in Pennsylvania, who recently picked up a listing that had been on the market for three years. The previous agent couldn’t sell the property for $259,000, and blamed the failure on the price while dropping it to $249,000, $239,000, and finally to $219,000. However, McKenna sold the property in a few short weeks, for $289,000 — $30,000 more than the original list price. If you’re ready for that kind of success, be sure to check out my next column. Copyright National Association of REALTORS®. Reprinted with permission. Article link: http://realtormag.realtor. org/sales-and-marketing/feature/article/2012/04/write-ads-sell
Resources & Marketing
Resources Page on MFRMLS.com! Have you seen the new Resources page on MFRMLS.com? With different categories of resources, such as “MFRMLS Resources,” “Green Resources,” and “Marketing Resources,” the new Resources page contains many links to different websites that we hope you find useful: not only as a member of MFRMLS, but as a Real Estate professional. So check out the new Resources page! Link to the new Resources page: http://www.mfrmls.com/resources April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 20
21 | My Florida ReSource | April/May 2012
Volume 2, Issue 1
Quick Email Marketing Tips! By Natashia Ford, MFRMLS Communications Specialist Email marketing has changed a lot since the birth of social media. Now every campaign you email has the potential to reach way beyond your mailing list. Here are a few quick tips we wanted to share with you to hopefully take your email marketing to the next level. 1) Use the power of social media. Utilizing the Facebook share button feature in your email campaigns can provide the potential for your content to go viral. The Facebook share button allows your clients to share your message with friends and family. Remember, not every email is “share worthy,” so make sure the content is something you wouldn’t mind syndicated on various social media sites. Also, if you want them to share the content, include a call to action like “if you like what you’ve read, share it with a friend”. 2) Diversify your opt in feature. You should make sure your opt in form is working hard for you by collecting interested subscribers. Make sure you include an opt in form, not only on your website, but on your Facebook page. Every now and then, push the link to your opt in form to your Twitter followers. 3) Target your email to your audience. When it comes to email marketing, one size doesn’t always fit all. Create campaigns either focused on your buyers OR your sellers, not both. 4) Content. At the end of it all, your content is the key to keeping your clients from unsubscribing. When you write, put yourself in the email recipients place. Is this useful information or is it just a sales pitch? Not to say that you can’t market to the recipient (it is called email marketing, after all), however it shouldn’t be blatant. 5) Keep in mind the 80-20 rule. The 80-20 rule in email marketing says that your emails should be no more than 20% images and no less than 80% text. So, essentially, don’t forget to include an image or two to compliment your content. The eyes of your reader will thank you.
Are you subscribed? Subscribe to MFRMLS Communications emails by completing our brief opt-in form at http://www.mfrmls. com/news/464-opt-in-form www.MFRMLS.com
April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 22
You’re Doing it Wrong: 6 Real Estate Technology Mistakes An article from the Showing Suite blog Guest contributor Michelle Costa of Showing Suite says: Many agents consider themselves “real estate technology gurus,” but just because you have a website and a Facebook page does not necessarily mean you are utilizing them correctly. Nowadays, agents must learn how to take advantage of technology – everything from Internet marketing and savvy use of the MLS system, to making a home’s details and photos attractive and accessible to potential buyers through mobile technologies. What ways can you avoid making real estate technology mistakes? Take a look at the most commonplace mistakes: 1. QR Codes: This is one of the most widely misused real estate technology methods. One of the most common mistakes is when a QR code does not lead to a mobile friendly web page. This completely defeats the purpose, since QR codes are meant to be scanned with a mobile device. Also, we’ve witnessed agents sticking QR codes in places that aren’t exactly the most well thought out--like on a car, for example (accident, anyone?!). 2. Blogging: Having a blog is a great start, but you need to be sure you are actually using it. If you don’t fre-
Resources & Marketing 23 | My Florida ReSource | April/May 2012
quently post on your blog, it is actually hurting you more than not having a blog at all. Be sure your blog is properly optimized as well by targeting the right keywords in the body and title of each post, and include images in each post. 3. Social Media: Don’t forget that social media is about connecting with people, not pushing a product. Social media is not a contest about who has the most followers/likes, but rather to engage with your network of followers who are interested in your company. 4. Website Traffic: Forget the mindset that a website by itself will generate leads and traffic. Without proper SEO tactics, your real estate website will just get lost in the never ending sea of websites. To gain traffic, you need to create a strategy, and utilize organic search, keywords, and paid advertisements. It’s best to take some time to learn about SEO techniques, or hire an agency. 5. Listing Photos: Pictures are the first thing any home buyer is interested in seeing. Unless you also happen to be a professional level photographer, leave this up to the experts. The worst thing an agent can do is use their camera phone, or take grainy, unprofessional photos of a home. 6. Smartphone: As a real estate agent, you’re always on the go, which means you need quick access to emails, property listing photos and details. Without a smartphone, you are missing out on providing your clients with instant informa-
article courtesy of
tion, which could potentially hinder the sale. Beyond all these mistakes, the absolute worst thing you could do is avoid technology all together. Don’t be overwhelmed! Real estate technology is always growing and changing, you will not know everything right off the bat. But you simply can not solely rely on the old-school marketing techniques from the 1980s. By avoiding all of these technologies, to put it bluntly, you are killing your business. There are plenty of free and easy to use resources and real estate tools online to help you get started and improve your business. To view the original article, visit the Showing Suite blog (http://blog. showingsuite.com/real-estate-technology-mistakes)
Have you seen the latest news from RETechnology? RETechnology is included in your MFRMLS subscription and ready to assist you with insights on new products, emerging industry trends and breaking news. See the RETechology portal on the bottom of the Message of the Day in MLXchange to sign up for your free account or log into your existing account.Volume 2, Issue 1
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April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 24
http://shortsale.mfrmls.com
a request Tuesday and had TWO calls from houses but she called the second time because I I call responsive! And she couldn’t have been -M. Hunt Altamonte Springs, FL
Eligibility Criteria http://loanlookup.fanniemae.com/loanlookup/ Real estate professional must be a member of a participating MLS. Real estate professional must be the listing agent for the property. Real estate professional must obtain a signed Borrower Authorization Form (BAF) from the homeowner(s) and submit it to the MLS; http://mfrmls.com/shortsale/docs/SSAD-BAF.pdf
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25 | My Florida ReSource | April/May 2012
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Volume 2, Issue 1
What is Down Payment Resource ? SM
Why Down Payment Resource ? SM
Finding a Homebuyer Assistance program today can be confusing and complicated, here’s why: Programs are highly fragmented » No standard of regions » Overlapping coverage Lack of standardization » No uniform application » Programs ask for information » One-of-a-kind eligibility rules » Hard-to-automate program descriptions » Diverse incentives with complex terms and conditions The Solution: Down Payment Resource. No more searching the Internet and making dozens of phone calls, only to be disappointed. Down Payment Resource improves the search among Homebuyer Assistance Programs for: » Mortgage Lenders » REALTORS® » Home Builders/Developers » Housing Finance Agencies For more information visit: www.downpaymentresource.com
An easy-to-use, interactive, web-based application that: » Tracks and describes all Homebuyer Assistance programs including eligibility guidelines » Customizes searches based on homebuyer’s unique information » Automates the matching of homebuyers to assistance resources » Provides consumers, REALTORS® and lenders timely and accurate information » Captures, educates and informs consumers earlier with consumer-facing portal (optional) » Increases volume of home lending » » » »
Buyer’s market = Too many housing units for sale Credit guidelines tightened = Harder to qualify Bewildering array of assistance = Missed opportunities Assistance programs under-marketed, customers under-served
Down Payment ResourceSM connects home buyers to the incentive/ assistance programs that are right for them!
Down Payment Resource’s web-based system helps you: » Save time identifying options for your customers » Expand the pool of homebuyers for your listings » Value-added service for home builder and developer accounts » Market REO listing inventory » Improve customer service by reducing errors » Serve more customers, more For more information or a live demonstration, please contact: Rob Chrane, President Workforce Resource, LLC rchrane@workforce-resource.com www.downpaymentresource.com tel: 404.272.7054
www.downpaymentresource.com www.MFRMLS.com
April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 26
Big changes to BofA short sale process ... ORLANDO, Fla. – April 9, 2012 – Bank of America is set to roll out a new short sale process and documents designed to reduce the approval process to 20 days. The changes are so extensive that the Equator [https://www.equator.com/ home/] platform will be down for 1012 hours during the overnight hours starting Friday, April 13. If you’ve submitted a short sale with Bank of America, be aware that before April 13 you must complete the following tasks or risk having your file declined: Submit Short Sale Offer, Upload Offer Documents and Upload Supporting Documents in Equator. Links to these documents and other vital information is available at the Bank of America Short Sale Resource Center [https://realestateagent.bankofamerica.com/shortsale/Default. aspx?l=ss]. Consider bookmarking this page and subscribing to email updates. On April 14, Bank of America’s short sale process will change as follows: Five documents will be required for short sales initiated with an offer: • Purchase Contract including Buyer’s Acknowledgment and Disclosure • HUD-1 • IRS Form 4506-T • Bank of America Short Sale Addendum • Bank of America Third-Party Authorization Form 27 | My Florida ReSource | April/May 2012
All email communications between Bank of America and the sales associate will occur in Equator. Salespersons will be alerted via email that a message is waiting in their Equator mailbox. Florida Realtors attorneys recommend brokers obtain their sales associates’ logins/passwords to ensure the short sale transaction proceeds smoothly if a salesperson changes firms.
Bank of America short sale processes. Send your comments to shortsalecomments@floridarealtors.org. Please note that Bank of America will not reply to individual comments. Reprinted with permission. Florida Realtors®. All rights reserved.
New timeframes. Currently, salespersons have 14 days to submit a counteroffer in Equator. On April 14, that will be reduced to five days. What’s more, Bank of America is limiting prospective buyers to two counteroffers. Responses will be given within three days. Realtors are invited to view a Bank of America webinar about the new process on Thurs., April 19 from 4-5 p.m. EST. Click here [http://mp135934. cdn.mediaplatform.com/135934/wc/ mp/4000/10584/12423/14062/Lobby/ default.htm ] to register for the webinar. For its part, Florida Realtors has notified the Florida Real Estate Commission and Department of Business and Professional Regulation of the new Bank of America short sale process so the information can be shared with all licensees. Be sure to check the floridarealtors. org Short Sale Center (http://www. floridarealtors.org/LegalCenter/shortsales/index.cfm) for updates. However, please visit the Bank of America short sale center regularly, as it will contain the most up-to-date information. Give us some feedback about the new Volume 2, Issue 1
Are You Getting the Most out of YOUR Consumer Website? MyFloridaHomesMLS.com is YOUR Consumer Website. Similar to a Trulia or a Zillow, MyFloridaHomesMLS.com keeps YOU at the center
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April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 28
S
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MFRMLS Team Member Sue Queen, Senior Help Desk Technician Every month we spotlight one MFR team member, in order to help distinguish the dedicated, hard-working, friendly faces we have on our MFR staff. We truly have an outstanding team of individuals. And, of course, this is no coincidence, as we look to provide our members with outstanding service. So, without further ado, we are pleased to spotlight (drum roll please) ‌ Sue Queen, Senior Technician and Eggplant Parmesan fan! How long have you been working at MFR? I joined the MFR family in November 2005. What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most? I enjoy the opportunity to work with our members in helping them to resolve any challenges they are having. Any hobbies outside of work? I enjoy cooking, shopping and spending time with my family and friends. What is your favorite thing to cook? I like to try and make different kinds of recipes, but I would say my favorite is Eggplant Parmesan. Where were you born and where were you raised? I was born in Plainfield, NJ, and raised in South Plainfield, NJ. I moved to Florida in 1988. If there’s one place in the world, all expenses-paid, you could visit tomorrow, where would that place be and why? I love the beach and the mountains, so I would say Hawaii. Thank you, Sue, for your dedication and hard work!
29 | My Florida ReSource | April/May 2012
Volume 2, Issue 1
Stats IQ, powered by RBI Looking to see those statistics in nice, easyto-read graphs and reports? Then Stats IQ, powered by RealEstate Business Intelligence (RBI), is your answer! Here are some of the features and stats you can expect with Stats IQ: —Accurate, updated stats pulled on a monthly basis, including: —Median Sold Price —Average Days on Market
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—New Listings —The option to view and compare stats according to home types, list prices, square footage, bedrooms, bathrooms and bank-mediated listings. —Easy-to-read graphs and reports that you can embed, export and share. Two options for using Stats IQ As an MFRMLS member, you have two options for using Stats IQ: a basic stats package (included in your MFRMLS membership) and an upgraded stats package called rbiEXPERT (for a monthly fee). Here are the details: Basic Stats Package (included in your MFRMLS membership) The basic stats package is included in your MFRMLS membership, and provides stats and features that cover the MFRMLS listing area at large (i.e. stats are based on all MFRMLS listing information). Upgraded Stats Package, called rbiEXPERT (*$19.00 a month—no contract—pay per month—14 day FREE trial or $159 for an annual prepaid subscription) *Represents reduced pricing for MFRMLS members With rbiEXPERT you have the ability to view stats according to region, county or zip code. For instance, you have the option to compare stats for specific listing areas (i.e. Average Days on Market for 32801 vs. 32828).
Visit www.MFRMLS.com/member-benefits/stats-iq for more info!
Commercial
Real Estate
presented by
Smart Decision Making in an Uncertain Age A conversation with Magda Osman.
MFCRE for your mobile phone
September 2011 | By Mariwyn Evans Commercial real estate is a numbers game—run the figures and pull the trigger. Right? Not so fast. Economic volatility and shaky property fundamentals make it hard for commercial real estate investors to trust their assumptions. What decision-making techniques are most valuable to overcome these uncertainties? Magda Osman, lecturer in cognitive psychology at Queen Mary, University of London, and author of Controlling Uncertainty, provides insights. How does today’s uncertain business climate affect a person’s ability to make good business decisions? In a complex situation, there is much more information to take into account before making a choice. Usually, this means that the greater a person’s expertise, the better able that individual is to sift through what is relevant and minimize the risk of errors in judgment. The problem is that errors can occur at both ends of the knowledge spectrum. Experienced people will often recognize a problem as something they’ve faced before and quickly choose previously successful strategies to solve it. This may be foolhardy. There’s a risk that an individual is zooming in on superficial aspects of a situation while neglecting an underlying issue that’s different and requires a different solution. Pressure to make a decision quickly may also increase the chance of biasing information to 31 | My Florida ReSource | April/May 2012
support a choice the decision maker favors. How else does uncertainty make the decision process more challenging? Uncertainty can destabilize what we think we know. In turn, that can result in our junking information that would otherwise be useful or shifting the focus from looking at success in the long term to meeting short-term needs. When uncertainty persists, bad decision m akers frequently make ruthless changes to their plans without considering how these changes affect other aspects of the plan. These methods of coping increase uncertainty. What techniques can assist a decision maker in volatile times? Having clearly defined goals based on reliable information and following a well-structured plan of action help individuals cope with uncertain situations better. If a lot of things are changing at once, it’s incredibly difficult to identify whether subsequent changes in a situation are the direct result of your own behavior or caused by unknown factors in the environment. In tackling an uncertain situation, it’s often a good idea to make as few interventions as possible in a strategic plan, at least initially.
What role does intuition play in decision-making during uncertain times? Much has been made recently about the role of intuition and the unconscious. In particular, strong claims have been made that we should make decisions based on our gut feelings. The rationale for this approach holds that our intuition, which is based on experience, can integrate complex information better than our rational analytical system. This is nonsense. Our experience comes from evaluating information carefully and learning which decisions and actions worked best. To continue to make good decisions in an uncertain world, the best thing we can do is to keep rerunning the numbers. The more accurate our estimates of future outcomes are, the more sensible our decisions become. Copyright National Association of REALTORS®. Reprinted with permission. Article link: http://realtormag.realtor. org/commercial/conversations/article/2011/09/smart-decision-makingin-uncertain-age
Volume 2, Issue 1
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April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 32
Around the House
An article for current and future homeowners
Simple Tips for Better Home Showings 1. Remove clutter and clear off counters. Throw out stacks of newspapers and magazines and stow away most of your small decorative items. Put excess furniture in storage, and remove out-of-season clothing items that are cramping closet space. Don’t forget to clean out the garage, too. 2. Wash your windows and screens. This will help get more light into the interior of the home. 3. Keep everything extra clean. A clean house will make a strong first impression and send a message to buyers that the home has been wellcared for. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates, mop and wax floors, and clean the stove and refrigerator. Polish your doorknobs and address numbers. It’s worth hiring a cleaning service if you can afford it. 4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows to air out the house. Potpourri or scented candles will help. 5. Brighten your rooms. Put higher wattage bulbs in light fixtures to brighten up rooms and basements. Replace any burned-out bulbs in closets. Clean the walls, or better yet, brush on a fresh coat of neutral color paint. 6. Don’t disregard minor repairs. Small problems such as sticky doors,
torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well-maintained. 7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, add new mulch, trim the bushes, edge the walkways, and clean the gutters. For added curb appeal, place a pot of bright flowers near the entryway. 8. Patch holes. Repair any holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable. 9. Add a touch of color in the living room. A colored afghan or throw on the couch will jazz up a dull room. Buy new accent pillows for the sofa. 10. Buy a flowering plant and put it near a window you pass by frequently. 11. Make centerpieces for your tables. Use brightly colored fruit or flowers. 12. Set the scene. Set the table with fancy dishes and candles, and create other vignettes throughout the home to help buyers picture living there. For example, in the basement you might display a chess game in progress. 13. Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light. Show off the view if you have one. 14. Accentuate the fireplace. Lay
fresh logs in the fireplace or put a basket of flowers there if it’s not in use. 15. Make the bathrooms feel luxurious. Put away those old towels and toothbrushes. When buyers enter your bathroom, they should feel pampered. Add a new shower curtain, new towels, and fancy guest soaps. Make sure your personal toiletry items are out of sight. 16. Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that’s not possible, crate them or confine them to one room (ideally in the basement), and let the real estate practitioner know where they’ll be to eliminate surprises. 17. Lock up valuables, jewelry, and money. While a real estate salesperson will be on site during the showing or open house, it’s impossible to watch everyone all the time. 18. Leave the home. It’s usually best if the sellers are not at home. It’s awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of your home with you there. Visit www.HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. Article link: http://realtormag.realtor. org/sales-and-marketing/handouts-forcustomers/for-sellers/simple-tips-forbetter-home-showings
Upcoming Events: District 13 Conference & Expo June 22, 2012
(Look for the MFRMLS table!) Time: 9 am-3:30 pm Location: Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center 75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda, FL 33950 Register by June 1 for a chance to win an iPad! Register here: http://www.pgpcnprealtors.com/?page_id=879
SAVE THE DATE!!
Florida Realtors速 2012 Convention & Trade Expo
August 9-10, 2012 (Trade Expo days) MFRMLS will be there! Stay tuned for information. http://convention.floridarealtors.org/
www.MFRMLS.com
April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 34
My Office Savings of the Month Already have an MFRMLS-Office Depot Account? Then see the My Office Savings of the Month for May 2012! Visit the following link for more information: http://www.mfrmls.com/resources/member-savings/mfrmls-savings#savings-ofthe-month
Looking for a calendar of upcoming training classes? Visit http://www.mfrmls.com/resources/training-and-events for a complete calendar of upcoming courses. Did you know we also offer live webinars? http://www.mfrmls.com/resources/training-and-events/webinars/ cat.listevents/2011/05/20/Administration and Membership Question? The Administration Department at My Florida Regional MLS has two main responsibilities—ensuring an accurate MLS database and maintaining your membersubscriber information.
Help Desk Hours:
Whether you have questions about our MLS Rules and Regulations, listing violations, subscriber fees or simply need to update your contact information, our Administration Specialists are ready to assist you.
Monday–Friday: 7:30 AM–8:00 PM Saturday–Sunday: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
Department hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Toll Free: (800) 686-7451 Local: (407) 218-8607
1-800-686-7451 (option #3) http://www.mfrmls.com/membersupport/administration-andmembership
http://www.mfrmls.com/membersupport/help-desk 35 | My Florida ReSource | April/May 2012
New Address My Florida Regional MLS 555 Winderley Place, Suite 320 Maitland, FL 32751 Telephone: New Tel: (407) 960-5300 Toll-Free: (800) 686-7451 New Fax: (407) 960-5450 Volume 2, Issue 1
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MFRMLS Associations and Boards Shareholder Organizations Bartow Board of REALTORS®— http://www.bartowboardofrealtors.com/index.html East Polk County Association of REALTORS®— http://epcar.com/ Englewood Area Board of REALTORS®— http://www.englewoodareaboardofrealtors.com/ Greater Tampa Association of REALTORS®— http://www.gtar.org/ Lakeland Association of REALTORS®— http://www.lakelandrealtors.org/ Manatee Association of REALTORS®— http://www.manateerealtors.org/ Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association— http://www.orlrealtor.com/Main/Main.asp Osceola County Association of REALTORS®— http://osceolarealtors.org/ Pinellas REALTOR® Organization— http://tampabayrealtor.com/ Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port Association of REALTORS®— http://pgpcnprealtors.com/ REALTORS® Association of Lake & Sumter Counties— http://www.ralsc.org/ Sarasota Association of REALTORS®— http://www.sarasotarealtors.com/ Venice Area Board of REALTORS®— http://www.vabr.org/ West Pasco Board of REALTORS®— http://www.wpbor.com/ West Volusia Association of REALTORS®— http://www.westvolusiarealtor.org/
Customer Organizations Central Pasco Association of REALTORS®— http://www.centralpascorealtors.com/ Desoto County Board of REALTORS®— N/A Lake Wales Association of REALTORS®— http://www.lwar.net/ www.MFRMLS.com
April/May 2012 | My Florida ReSource | 36