MLS Sales Meeting Message

May 2014

Be sure to check MLS News for full descriptions and screenshots!

IMPORANT: CALL TO ACTIONNAR Proposed Policy Change bit.ly/1oa3tqC

At the Mid-Year Conference (May 12th – 17th), NAR will be proposing a policy change that will require all Multiple Listing Services (MLS) to create and publish an unlimited feed of all sold data in order to create Automated Valuation Models (AVM). This will allow the sale of analytics based on MLS data to third parties such as lenders, government agencies, and secondary mortgage market investors. This is a mandatory policy that does not allow an opt out for MLSs, individual brokerages, or listings.

We are not supportive of this policy change. Historically our brokers have wanted the MLS to protect the use of sold data and only allow access to Realtors® for the purpose of doing CMAs, BPO’s and other historical research related to listing and selling properties. We have not allowed bulk access to third parties for creating and selling derivative products.

Do you agree or disagree with our position to oppose this policy change? Please take a moment to let us know by completing this quick 2 question survey: svy.mk/1mlBt1P

Upcoming User GroupAdvertising Without the MLS

When a listing is advertised without being posted on the MLS, it is considered a “Pocket listing”. Our members have been contacting us with reports that listings are not being submitted to the MLS, but are being posted to social media and distributed via email chains.

When listings are sold without being submitted to the MLS, commissions are often not being offered nor are they protected. This dilutes the value of the MLS by violating the spirit of cooperation and by decreasing the amount of listings (with valid offers) shared between members. There can be legal issues as well as NAR Code of Ethics violations. Also, recent studies show that marketing outside of the MLS decreases the chance that sellers will obtain the highest and best price for their property.

Because of this, a policy change has been proposed that will prohibit any digital advertising outside of the listing brokerage during the five day gap between a listing agreement and posting to the MLS.

We have scheduled a user group to discuss and evaluate this policy change on Wednesday May 7th at noon. If you would like to be a part of this group please contact JJ at jared@utahrealestate.com.

On Sunday, May 4th we will be upgrading our servers and the website will be down from 10PM that evening until 6AM Monday morning. Please plan your transactions accordingly to avoid interruptions.

Server Maintenance

Property Pond now allows you to list individual rooms for rent.

Recent Developments

Now Live! Showing Lists for the iOS Mobile App

Recent Developments

Upcoming DevelopmentsComing May 13th! The New Listing Input Wizard

We will soon be releasing a new Listing Input Wizard that will streamline the listing process. This new system allows photo uploading and editing while creating a listing. It will save your progress so you can always come back where you left off.

Six simple steps make the new Listing Input Wizard a breeze to use!

Step 1 - Enter Agent InformationStep 2 - Input Property InformationStep 3 - Upload and Edit Photos with resolutions up to Step 4 - Enter Open House InformationStep 5 - Upload Listing DocumentsStep 6 - Verify and Publish

Tech Tip: Marketing Online

We do not allow agents to email our membershiplist at UtahRealEstate.com, but there are severalother ways in which we can help you market your Listings online. Here a few tips to get started:

1. Create a Real Estate Website utilizing our IDX feeds

2. Put a blog on your website and post to it regularly, or share news and content from our Facebook or Pinterest page to boost your traffic!

3. Be sure to put as much information on UtahRealEstate.com as you can (photos, property information, remarks, etc.)

4. Contact Kat for tips! (She loves to talk marketing) Kathleen@utahrealestate.com 801-676-5408

Education/Class Dates – Salt LakeQuick Start for UtahRealEstate MLS:

Salt Lake Board of REALTORS®, May 2nd 9:00am – 10:00am

How to List Properties on the Utah MLSSalt Lake Board of REALTORS®, May 2nd 10:00am – 11:00am

Introduction to Property Searches and Reports: Salt Lake Board of REALTORS®, May 5th 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Intro to MLS CMA:Salt Lake Board of REALTORS®, May 5th 1:00pm – 2:00pm

Advanced Methods for MLS Property Searches and Reports: Salt Lake Board of REALTORS®, May 28th 12:00pm – 1:00pm

MLS Advanced Hot Sheets:

Salt Lake Board of REALTORS®, May 28th 1:00pm – 2:00pm

We also do office classes. For more information, contact Kevin@utahrealestate.com.

Education/Class Dates – Northern WasatchMLS Advanced Hot Sheets:

Northern Wasatch Association of REALTORS®, May 6th 9:00am – 10:00am

MLS for the Mobile REALTOR®: Northern Wasatch Association of REALTORS®, May 6th 10:00am – 11:00am

Quick Start for UtahRealEstate MLS: Northern Wasatch Association of REALTORS®, May 22nd 11:30am – 12:30pm

We also do office classes. For more information, contact Kevin@utahrealestate.com.

Education/Class Dates – Utah CountyIntroduction to Property Searches and Reports:

Utah County Association of REALTORS®, May 7th 9:00am – 10:00am

Introduction to MLS CMA:Utah County Association of REALTORS®, May 7th 10:00am – 11:00am

We also do office classes. For more information, contact Kevin@utahrealestate.com.

SAVE THE DATE! The date for our next Broker Listing Syndication Event will be July 31st here at the REALTOR® Campus at 12PM in the auditorium. Like our previous event, lunch will be served and the presentation will be webcasted.

Keynote Speaker: Jim Abbott with Abbott Realty Group

Jim has been a key voice in the syndicationdebate since his decision to completely terminateall listing syndication to third party websites backin 2012. He will discuss how business has neverbeen better!.

Come hear his story, ask questions, and let usknow what you think!

Check out ARG’s videos at bit.ly/1hYsqSf bit.ly/1p740dN bit.ly/1o1ETvR

Listing Syndication Luncheon