www.MFRMLS.com Jan/Feb 2013 | My Florida ReSource | 1

The magazine of My Florida Regional MLSJan/Feb 2013

Volume 2, Issue 3

Your MLS never looked so mobile.

Opening February 27, 2013in an app store or browser near you.

powered by MFRMLS

Page 12

AlsoMajor Changes on 3.19.13 Page 3Facebook Tip Page 18

3 Coming 3.19.13: New MLS system & Login Portal

12 My MLS App: Launching February 27, 2013

15 Mobile Tools Become More Important in Home Searches

17 Fannie Mae Replaces Short Sale Assistance Desk with New Website

18 Facebook: How to Share a Post Outside of Facebook

4 Recent MFRMLS News!

6 Training & Tips Recent My Tips of the Week

10 Compliance Corner

No Fines February: A Good Reminder to Check Listings

20 The Focus Team Member: Denroy Bryan, Senior Call Center Tehnician

Product and Services: My Florida Commercial Real Estate (MFCRE)

24 Around the House (an article for current and future homeowners) Tax Benefits of Homeownership

Jan/Feb 2013

My Florida ReSource MagazineJanuary/February 2013

Volume 2, Issue 3

My Florida Regional MLS (MFRMLS)555 Winderley Place, Suite 320

Maitland, FL 32751Tel: (407) 960-5300

Toll-Free: (800) 686-7451Fax: (407) 960-5450

About MFRMLSMy Florida Regional MLS is Floridas largest multiple listing service with

over 34,000 subscribers. Owned by 16 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 StatementMy 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.

2012-2013 MFRMLS OfficersMelody Hall, President

Steve Amburgey, President-ElectJoe Perez, Vice President

Michael Bindman, TreasurerBill Dryburgh, Immediate Past President

MFRMLS ExecutivesMerri Jo Cowen, CEO

Jay Markell, CFO, COODeanna Rogers,

Senior VP of MLSJennifer Thompson-Kersting,

VP of Member Relations

Editorial StaffNatashia Ford, Editor

Doug Wise, Editor, Creative Director

In this issue...

In every issue...

Featured

Featured

Coming 3.19.13 ...

A new MLS system for MFRMLS members.Runs on all major operating systems and browsers,

including Mac OS, Safari, Chrome, & Firefox.

Also ...

A new Login Screen and Portal!

Click here for more information!

4 | My Florida ReSource | Jan/Feb 2013 Volume 2, Issue 3

presented by

Bank of America Short Sales: How to Avoid Delays by Using the MLS

Fusion MLS & New Login Portal Coming 3.19.13

MFR Launches - No Fines February 2013!

Fannie Mae Replaces Short Sale Assistance Desk with new website

TransactionDesk Enhancements!

MFR introduces new mobile MLS app coming soon to replace Kurio

MFRMLS Now Data Sharing Outside of Florida!

MFRMLS Proudly Announces New Shareholder: The Melbourne Area Association of REALTORS!

New Call Center Hours - Effective January 1, 2013

Education Calendar Change - Effective January 1, 2013

Click on the article titles to go to the respective article on MFRMLS.com.

Recent MFRMLS News

NEWS

Next issue of CC is early March.

www.MFRMLS.com/news

www.MFRMLS.com Jan/Feb 2013 | My Florida ReSource | 5

MFRMLS PROPERTY REPORT & LINK

Online, interactive housing payments & lending info displayed side-by-side with property information on a new Consumer Report

Keeps customers on listings longer

You choose the lender to display

Interactive mortgage tool allows homebuyers to play what if scenarios to address their financing needs

PROPERTY FLYER PROGRAM

The system creates detailed flyers with property listing information and acurate mortgage payment information

Created with one mouse click

Can be emailed or printed

Promotes both the Agent and chosen Loan Officer

RatePlug provides your prospective homebuyers with valuablepayment information specific to each property they view.

1.

2. Provides marketing material for your Open House functions or general display.

How does RatePlug helpAgents in todays market?

FREE to MFRMLS Members!Visit www.rateplug.com/mfrmls to enroll

3.*Participating lenders pay a license fee.

6 | My Florida ReSource | Jan/Feb 2013 Volume 2, Issue 3

Recent My Tips of the Week

Training& TipsMYof the WEEK

MYof the WEEK

MYof the WEEK

Did you know you can upload 25 photos per listing in the MLS?

Weve all heard, a picture is worth a thousand words, so why not speak volumes through your listing photos! The MLS holds up to 25 photos per listing, so give your listings the upper hand by using this increased photo limit. Additionally, larger file sizes for images are now accommodated (from 512x400 to 800x600 and 400x512 to 600x800). Take advantage of the visual benefits the MLS offers to help attract clients to your listings!

Did you know you can find zip code boundaries in the MLS system?

Its easy!

1. In the Resources menu, located on the right side of the Home page in the MLS system, click on Information & Contacts.

2. Click on Zip Code Boundary Mapping.

3. When the window opens, you can type the Zip Code or Address or even click on the map to pull up zip code boundaries.

For all My Tips of the Week, in chronological order, please visitwww.mfrmls.com/resources/education-and-training/my-tip-of-the-week

www.MFRMLS.com Jan/Feb 2013 | My Florida ReSource | 7

MYof the WEEKDid you know you can add MLS property searches to your business Facebook page?

Through the use of N-Plays Facebook app, IDX Home Search, MFRMLS members can utilize their Facebook business page for MFRMLS property searches.

Is there a cost?

N-Play is offering a 30-day free trial (without contract; cancel at anytime). Beyond the free trial the pricing is $9.95 per month or $49.95 per year.

How do you get started?

Agents must first become members of the Real Estate Agent Directory on Facebook to access the IDX service. The Directory is a free service for consumers and real estate professionals on Facebook. Consumers can find agents on Facebook by location and expertise.

Follow the below steps to get started with the IDX Home Search app (and to join the Real Estate Agent Directory):

1) Log into Facebook and use the following link to activate your IDX Home Search account: http://bit.ly/W9BXKg

(This will also enable your free Real Estate Agent Directory membership.)

2) Register and complete the requested setup.

3) Your broker (if youre not the broker) will then receive an email notifying him or her of the account registration.

4) Your broker will then need to complete an IDX agreement at http://idx.mfrmls.com (the MFRMLS online contract system) and select N-Play as the IDX vendor.

5) Your IDX feed for your business Facebook page will be activated upon completion of the IDX agreement.

Questions? For more information on the IDX Home Search app, please visit the IDX Home Search Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/MyIDX.

Or you can email cs@n-play.com, or call 904-800-1811.

MFRMLS IDX questions? Please visit http://idx.mfrmls.com/

8 | My Florida ReSource | Jan/Feb 2013 Volume 2, Issue 3

Class is Now in Session!

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, weve 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 con-nects you to live courses taught at your association/board by MFRMLS instructors. With interactive sessions in a classroom setting, youll 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

Go Big "U"

www.MFRMLS.com Jan/Feb 2013 | My Florida ReSource | 9

Have you used Data Co-op?

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, theres no additional fee to use Data Co-op, so be sure to take advantage of this valuable tool.

Here are some Data Co-op highlights:

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)

How can you access Data Co-op?

You can access Data Co-op directly within MLXchange (by clicking on the link in the SmartLinks section of the Home page).

MLS Data Co-op

Visit the Data Co-op Member Benefits page on MFRMLS.comwww.mfrmls.com/member-benefits/mlxchange-benefits/data-co-op

For more information

an MFRMLS Member Benefit*

*Access to Data Co-op based on Association/Board membership.

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