MLS News

Beginning in August, CBR will offer a new `beginners' class in the computer lab for Tempo^TM Wireless. Students should have a basic familiarity with a Palm OS handheld, Windows Mobile, Blackberry, or other cell phone or smart phone with an unlimited data plan, basic knowledge of Internet navigation and understand the real estate industry. All devices must have an HTML browser in order to be compatible with Tempo Wireless.

Required: You must register for Tempo^TM Wireless at wireless.columbusrealtors.com/register prior to attending the class. This site will get you registered for Tempo^TM Wireless only, not for the Tempo^TM Wireless class. You can register for the class from the Tempo^TM Welcome Screen or the CBR Events calendar.

Topics covered will include: Using TEMPO^TM Wireless on a handheld device to Quick Search, MLS# Search, Roster Search, and contrasting the features of Tempo^TM Wireless and Supra eKey Pro. The first two classes are scheduled for August 9 (12:30-1:30 p.m.) and September 14 (12:30-1:30 p.m.) No continuing education is offered yet but there are plans to get the course approved for CE. There is no cost to attend at this time but registration is required at ColumbusRealtors.com.

Beginning in August, CBR will offer a new `beginners' class in the computer lab for Palm OS Treo users. Students should have a basic understanding of how to use a Palm OS handheld (not Windows Mobile), basic Internet navigation, and understand the real estate industry. Topics covered will include: General Treo tips and tricks, navigating within the Palm OS, and recommended practices for Palm OS-based device owners. The first two classes are scheduled for August 9 (10 a.m. to noon) and September 14 (2-4 p.m.) No continuing education is offered yet but there are plans to get the course approved for CE. There is no cost to attend at this time but registration is required at ColumbusRealtors.com.

CBR is proud to offer Pinpoint mapping to all MLS members beginning in late July 2007. The new mapping product will fill a void created when the old "CBR Street Atlas" or map book was phased out last year. The new mapping, Pinpoint, is a product of Fidelity National Real Estate Solutions (FNRES).

The new maps will be integrated into the CBR Tempo^TM system in multiple locations.

• Agents will be able to choose SmartMaps on the Search menu. This will take them to QuickPoint. Quickpoint is a fastloading basic map view of the property.
• There will be a small "Q" on the list of listings (results from a Quick Search). Clicking the "Q" on the list of listings will also open QuickPoint.
• A small icon that looks like an airplane will appear on the agent full report and on the Marketlinx Map page. Clicking the airplane icon will also take you to Quickpoint.

Quickpoint will have Virtual Earth imagery with street maps, aerial maps, and parcel overlays, access to Realist tax data, point to  point driving directions, and a link to Pinpoint (the full FNRES  map with advanced search and tax options) as well as a Realist tax link.

Commission ranges quoted on MLS listings such as 1-3%, 2-4%, etc. in either sub agency or buyer broker/tenant rep data fields do not meet NAR guidelines (Policy Statement 7.23) regarding specificity. While the intention of such ranges may serve to notify potential cooperating brokers that gross commissions may be subject to court or lender approval, such display is nonetheless contrary to this policy. However, such possibility must be clearly communicated to potential cooperating brokers prior to the time they produce an offer that ultimately results in a successful transaction. You can do this in the AGENT TO AGENT REMARKS field. The MLS Committee has assigned a Task Force to research options available for members to promote these types of listings in the MLS and to identify the terms and conditions associated with these transactions. Members will be kept apprised of these efforts.

Following are the enhancements/modifications that were to occur in the CBR Tempo^TM MLS on 6/28/07:

• Map Page field has been lengthened to 4 characters on the residential add/edit long form in preparation for the new Pinpoint mapping that is coming in late July
• All instances of the term "Limited Representation" on the CBR Tempo^TM system will be changed to Limited Service.
• The Unit/Suite Number field has been lengthened to 15 characters.
• The Homestead Taxes field on the residential add/edit form has been changedto "Tax"
• Members will now be able to search by Zip Code, City, and County on the "search by map" page.
• Members will now be able to upload PDF documents to the CBR Tempo^TM system on the Media page, just like they upload photos.
• The Garage field has been changed to "Parking" and additional parking options have been added to the criteria list.
• Residential Square Foot field has changed format. There will now be 2 square foot fields: SqFt Tax Record and SqFt ATFLS (approximate total finished living space). The SqFt ATFLS will be a member-modifiable tax field,
• Brokers will now be able to modify and change agent control for listings where the agent has left the office or is no longer a REALTOR®.
• The label "Negotiation with Seller Permission" will be changed to "Direct Negotiation with Seller Permitted".
• The Agent Remarks Report will now be named the Agent to Agent Remarks report.
• When searching for residential properties, searches selecting property type Condo will now return Condo and Fee Simple properties.
• The Madison County tax link on the CBR Tempo^TM tax page will now correctly link to the Madison County auditor's site.

The next set of modifications/improvements for CBR Tempo^TM are scheduled for late summer. Date and details will be published when confirmed.