MLS News

New Mapping Software

The MLS Committee and Leadership have selected Fidelity Real Estate Solutions as the MLS mapping provider complete with aerial images. Contract negotiations are in process. Target date to launch is July 2007.

February Fines

There was an increase in the number of fines issued in February which was primarily attributed to the increase in listings. Unallowable data in Remarks and inaccurate taxing districts were the top two violations.

Reporting SOLD status clarified

Section 1.11 (Non-Reported Closings (Solds)) of the MLS Policy and Fine Manual was changed as follows (underline denotes addition, strikeout denotes deletion):

All sales closed must be entered within 72 hours from the closing/funding date found on the HUD 1 Settlement Statement except weekends and federal holidays whereby the closing information is to be entered the following business day. REALTOR® will be fined $100 immediately.

Changes approved to CBR Tempo^TM

We wanted to let you know that the following changes to the system have been approved even though they won't be implemented in the system until the next publish expected in August, 2007.

Unit/Suite Data field (currently 4 spaces) will be expanded to allow for lengthier unit/suite numbers.

Garage feature will be changed to Parking and the following descriptive choices will be added: 5+ Car Gar; Tandem; 3+ Carport; 1 off street; 2 off street; Common Area; Assigned; Lift.

Result of Realist Survey!

On 3/14/07, an email was sent to CBR members asking for input on the Realist features which are incorporated in CBR Tempo?. Thank you to the 1,138 members who completed the survey. Your input was insightful and will assist us in our contract renewal negotiations in April.

Response Overview: 1193 visits; 33 partials; 1138 completes
54% of the survey respondents enter their own listings
CMA info: 70% CBR Tempo?; 21% Realist; 8% use both
Owner Info: 44% Realist; 52% Auditor
Location: 51% Realist; 39% Auditor
Tax Info: 27% Realist; 71% Auditor
Characteristics: 56% Realist; 36% Auditor
Last Market Sale: 71% Realist; 23% Auditor
Sales History: 74% Realist; 20% Auditor
Mortgage History: 83% Realist; 9% Recorder
86% found the Auto-Pop feature valuable
37% use Realist labels ; 26% didn't know about this feature

Most of the questions were worded specifically to try to determine which source was used as the primary source (i.e. Realist OR the Auditor, Recorder or CBR Tempo?.) But most of the `Comments' submitted indicated that both resources were used suggesting that members did not want to have to choose which source was primary. This was helpful to know.

In Summary, when asked how important Realist was to your everyday real estate activities, 10% said Not Important but 85% said Important or Very Important.

Tempo Wireless

The award winning wireless MLS service, TEMPO Wireless, went live February 28, 2007 and, as of press time, 277 members have registered to use this new product.

Product Overview

TEMPO Wireless provides you the capability to search critical MLS data from your wireless handheld device anytime, anywhere there is cellular coverage. Having instant access to the MLS and the ability to email listing reports is a great way to enhance your level of responsiveness and better serve your customers efficiently while out in the field.

TEMPO Wireless runs on any wireless handheld device that supports HTML Internet browsing. Popular devices compatible with TEMPO Wireless include:

BlackBerry handhelds with the 3.8 operating system or higher
Palm TREO 600/650/680/700 handhelds
Pocket PC's with Windows Mobile 2003 operating system or higher

* Note: Not all of the devices compatible with Tempo Wirelesare compatible to use as an eKey with the electronic KeyBox system. If you wish to use one device for both products, please check the Compatible Device List at ColumbusRealtors.com.

Features
With TEMPO Wireless, Columbus Board of REALTORS® members can:

Quickly view all recent changes in the MLS database with the 24 Hour Hotsheet. Find out what's new, what's sold, and what's back on market with the tap of your stylus, or the click of your thumb dial.
Search agent and office roster data for important contact information.
Search listing information by a variety of criteria and access critical property details including price, bedrooms, bathrooms, remarks, driving directions, list agent contact information, days on market and more.
Full-color exterior property photo available with listing details.
Instantly email a listing report, complete with property photo to prospects and clients.

Pricing
Columbus Board of REALTORS® is pleased to make TEMPO Wireless available to its members FREE OF CHARGE. However, you must have a data package on your plan (which allows you to access the Internet from your PDA or smart phone.)

Registration
Members wishing to use TEMPO Wireless will be required to register on the CBR TEMPO MLS system under Member Info > Columbus Info.

Support
If you have any questions regarding TEMPO Wireless, please contact the TEMPO Wireless support at temposupprt@mosthome.com or 1-866-304-0080 from 10:00am -- 8pm EST, Monday through Friday. Please note: TEMPO Wireless includes wireless MLS service, and comprehensive online and toll free technical support. TEMPO Wireless does not include wireless hardware or subscription to a data access plan from a wireless service provider.