April 7, 2020
  • MLS Rules Updated
  • Listings: Good Things To Know While Working Virtually
  • Recent TransactionDesk Updates
  • The New GoMLS App Is Here
  • Realist Comps Searching
  • Matrix Morning Break Training Sessions
  • Improve Your RPR Skills
MLS Rules Updated
The New York State Alliance of MLS's (NYSAM) , a regional joint venture of the Multiple Listing Services in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, adopted updated MLS Rules effective April 1, 2020.   Most additions have to do with the addition of the Clear Cooperation rule that became effective on January 1, 2020. There are also some miscellaneous changes to make the verbiage of the rules more closely follow forms we already use.

Please note: Click to view the changes which are noted in red text (see pages 2-5 and 8 of the detailed version).
If you were prompted to log in to the Portal upon clicking a link above, click the link a second time after you log in to the Portal to view the document.
Listings: Good Things to Know
While Working Virtually
Here's a summary of things to help you with your listings as we navigate a more virtual way of doing things. Some additional details follow.
  • Listings may now stay in Incomplete status for up to 21 days (until you get the listing agreement signed). If you need to extend, just like before, you may edit anything in the listing for another 21 days.

  • More photos will be allowed – as of April 15, you will be able to add up to 50 photos (was 36).

  • An additional 200 characters will be allowed in Public Remarks so that you may add additional info about Virtual Showings - effective April 15 (now total of 1200 characters).

  • Virtual Showings may be added to your listings now via the Virtual Open House Type and or the Virtual Showing option in Showing Instructions.


More Photos May be Added to Your Listings
In addition to the MLS rules updates, the NYSAMLS's Board of Managers voted to increase the number of photos allowed per listing to 50 (up from 36), effective on April 15, 2020. With regard to adding more photos, it is recommended to submit the number of photos that will help sell the property and not necessarily five shots of a room or area just because you can. Our appraisers also want to let you know the following with regard to MLS Listing photos:

Some lenders and regulators will be issuing guidelines for appraisals going forward that will be different than we are used to in our market.  Some appraisals may be exterior only and or possibly a desk appraisal (with no site visit at all). It will be useful to show as much of the home in photos as possible going forward. Areas sometimes missed currently include bathrooms, the back of the home, kitchens and photos of upgrades. Basically if you feel it adds to value or confirms value, show it in a photo.  A combination of wide angles and closeups as is practical. Attaching a survey to the listing can also help, if available.
           
Virtual Showings, Virtual Open Houses, and Increased Space in Public Remarks
When in-person showings are not an option, and you or your property owner would like to offer virtual showings using a video conferencing solution like FaceTime, Zoom, GoToMeeting, join.me, or other similar tools, we have some options to assist with this in Matrix and/or via ShowingTime.  In a Virtual Open House or Virtual showing, either the agent or the seller(s) are doing the actual showing. During the “NY State on PAUSE” mandate, buyers should not physically attend the open house to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Also, if the agent is doing the Virtual Open House, then the owner should leave the property for the duration of the event.
 
See the following Tech Tips on these new fields including allowed text that may go into the listing Public Remarks for these kinds of showings. Note - These are updated to go with current guidelines regarding virtual showings. They are updated on our tips page as well.


To help you learn more about making videos, ShowingTime and NAR have both put together dedicated pages on their websites with short videos that describe how to set up and use live streaming services.
Recent TransactionDesk Updates
This winter, we notified you that LoneWolf had launched Partner integrations in TransactionDesk.

Updater
One of the first partner integrations, Updater , launched in our area last month. Updater is a moving concierge service that allows our members to provide their clients with a next level moving experience. Updater is free with TransactionDesk.

Learn more about Updater :


eCommission
Another integration is with eCommission . This tool offers real estate agents advance access to their pending commissions which can be helpful during times of uncertainty. The eCommission service is free to use from TransactionDesk. Agents will only pay a transparent fee on any commission advance they choose to take, however TD members receive a 30% discount on the fee, as part of this partnership.

Learn more about eCommission :
April TransactionDesk Updates
Updates are scheduled for release the night of April 7 th , 2020.  This release includes a number of enhancements that will continue to improve the overall TransactionDesk experience for our members. In addition to these enhancements, we are also releasing a number of fixes.

Here are the highlights of the updates:
  • Authentisign Participant/Document Ordering: We’re excited to release one of the most commonly requested features in Authentisign. Now, all signing participants and documents can be reordered by simply dragging and dropping them to a new place in line.

  • Fixes: Corrected an issue where documents were unable to upload from Google Drive and also corrected an issue where documents were not being uploaded to checklist items on the initial attempt if that item had previously had a document removed
The New GoMLS App
As mentioned in the March 16 issue of the MLS and Technology newsletter, the GoMLS app (formerly GoNYSMLS) has a brand new user interface! Most functions will be very familiar, but will work in a cleaner, brighter, more intuitive way.

Agents/Consumers who already have the GoNYSMLS app, will receive a notice through their current GoNYSMLS app to download the new app. In this case, the new app will migrate the user’s configuration. Or, they or any member that has never downloaded the app, can go to the app store and search for GoMLS . Once the app is downloaded, the member will search for our MLS which will be found under New York Alliance of MLS’s.    
Realist Comps Searching
From the CoreLogic, Realist team…

We have heard your concerns regarding the maximum of ten comps being returned in the comps search within the new Realist. The reason comps being currently capped at ten is related to image loading performance that we have been actively working to improve.  Multiple teams within CoreLogic are working on an image retrieval optimization project which is expected to greatly improve the speed at which images are returned within the Realist application. Once the image retrieval optimization is completed, the comps search results can be increased from 10 to 50. 

We are not yet able to provide a target date for when this will be made available in the Realist product. However, we will keep you updated as we work to implement the image optimization and comps increase; we will relay a target deployment date as soon as we can.
Matrix Morning Break Training Sessions
CoreLogic is bringing you 3 opportunities each week on M-W-F to join their trainer for your morning break. Each meeting will have training and tips and then at the end of the meeting will feature an open session for questions and discussion. 

Date: Every Monday-Wednesday-Friday until further notice
Time: 10-11 am
Upcoming Topics ( Open discussion/QA follows presentation):
  • Wed, April 8:  Matrix Customizing the Search Results Grid
  • Fri, April 10:   Matrix Market Watch and Hotsheet Setup
  • Mon, April 13: Matrix Client Portal Notifications – receive Text or Email notifications of your clients’ activity on their listing portals
  • Wed, April 15: Matrix Add Listing Basics – Adding photos with comments, adding and centering of Google Street Views, moving Map marker pins, and more
  • Fri, April 17:  Creating Matrix CMAs – Locating the Subject Property, adding and removing comps from CMA, Adjustment page usage, saving and retrieving CMAs

Phone one-tap: US: < tel:+19294362866,,309301781 > or < tel:+131262
or Dial by your location: +1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
Improve Your RPR Skills
REALTORS® across the country might find a few more hours on their hands as people stay home to flatten the curve of Coronavirus. Turn this extra time into an opportunity to bolster your business skills by utilizing RPR online educational resources, such as video tutorials, webinars and eBooks. Use This Downtime to up Your Game!

Remember, RPR is a benefit that’s included in your NAR membership. It gives REALTORS® access to data, tools ,and reports that can help you wow your clients and close more deals. Start taking advantage of all the learning resources from RPR. One hour a day can help you increase your productivity, efficiency, and overall market knowledge.

Just like you, RPR is also working from home. If you have questions or need any guidance, please call 877-977-7576 or email us —we’re here to help.