MLS® Update – New fields available in Broker Load

Oct 10, 2014 | MLS®, Stats & Technology | 0 comments

RAHB has made the following two fields available in Broker Load.   Please be aware that if you put a URL in either of the fields, the only place they will be displayed is on REALTOR.ca, similar to URLs supplied for additional photos and brochures.

065 Sound Bite URL
This URL field is to link to a verbal audio description of the property.  It must be a link to a web server location where the sound bite is stored.  The sound bite should be stored in .WAV or .MP3 format.  This field is intended to be presented as a link to be played on REALTOR.ca and not on the STARRS MLS® system.

084 Map Service URL
This URL field is intended to link to an alternate map service to display the property.  An example would be a link to Google Maps, or Openstreetmap.  This URL field can also be used to link to a walkscore or video describing the area of the property.  Some examples of these alternative uses would be:

http://www.walkscore.com/score/ghent-ave-burlington-on-canada

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSbYBCDZvqM

Again, this field is intended to be presented as a link on REALTOR.ca or ICX.ca and not on the STARRS MLS® system.

MLS® Updates – For members with Broker Load privileges

Sep 9, 2014 | MLS®, Stats & Technology | 0 comments

How to Broker load a cancellation or suspension in Fusion

CANCELLATIONS

  1. Before editing the listing, ensure the OREA Cancellation of Listing Agreement is signed and dated by the seller(s) and Broker of Record/Manager
  2. Roll your mouse over the Add/Edit tab in Fusion > Click Edit Listings
  3. In the Find a Listing by ML# field, enter the MLS® number of the listing you wish to edit Click the green arrow
  4. Click Edit Listing
  5. In the Status field, type in CA or select Cancelled from the dropdown menu. Hit Enter or Tab
  6. Click Save
  7. The listing is now cancelled

 

SUSPENSIONS

  1. Before editing the listing, ensure the OREA Suspension of Listing Agreement is signed and dated by the seller(s) and Broker of Record/Manager. It must include the date the suspension takes effect and the date it should be reinstated
  2. Follow steps 2-4 above
  3. In the Status field, type in SU or select Suspended from the dropdown menu. Hit Enter or Tab
  4. In the Change Message field (near the bottom of the page), type in TEMPORARY WITHDRAWAL
  5. Click Save
  6. The listing is now suspended

TO REINSTATE A SUSPENDED LISTING

*Note: the listing will not be automatically reinstated on the reinstatement date on the Suspension of Listing Agreement.  If the listing is to remain suspended, no action needs to be taken; however the status will automatically update to Expired once the expiry date has passed.

  1. If the listing is to be reinstated on or after the suspended until date on the suspension form, follow steps 2-4 below:
  2. In the Status field, type in AC or select Active from the dropdown menu. Hit Enter or Tab
  3. In the Change Message field, type in REINSTATEMENT OF SERVICE
  4. Click Save
  5. If the listing is to be reinstated prior to the suspended until date, an Amendment to Listing Agreement must be signed by the seller, with “Reactivate as of [DATE]” in the Other Amendments section. Once obtained, follow steps 2-4 above.

 

*NOTE:   if the listing was interboarded, please be sure to forward the cancellation or suspension either directly to that Board or through RAHB.

MLS® in Brief

Sep 9, 2014 | MLS®, Stats & Technology | 0 comments

WEBForms® and Clauses

RAHB has received calls from members having a problem with WEBForms®, where clauses are not separated and run in a continuing sentence.

CREA has advised that this problem is experienced by members who run Windows XP and Internet Explorer 8.   CREA no longer supports either of the programs and Microsoft does not support Windows XP.  Upgrading your version of Windows should resolve the issue.

NEW MLS® POLICY: Processing Cancellations and Suspensions in Broker Load

Jul 14, 2014 | MLS®, Stats & Technology | 0 comments

Effective Tuesday, July 15, Brokers, Managers and members/users with Broker Load privileges may broker load listing cancellations and suspensions.

All rules regarding cancellations and suspensions remain the same – the cancellation/suspension form must be signed and dated by the seller, signed by the Broker of Record/Manager and be in hand prior to processing the cancellation.

Brokers of Record may set their own office policies as to whether they will allow member/users with broker load privileges in their office to process their own cancellations and suspensions. RAHB will not monitor who in an office may or may not broker load cancellations and suspensions – it is up to the Broker of Record/Manager to enforce whatever policy they set for their office.

Broker loaded cancellations and suspensions will be audited by the MLS® department.   Fines will be assessed if members are found to be processing these changes without the appropriate forms being properly completed prior to processing.

The Board of Directors recently approved the following new policy for broker loading cancellations and suspensions:

NEW – Miscellaneous

#24        UPON CHECKING 1 IN 5 CANCELLATIONS AND SUSPENSIONS, IF ANY AUDITED CANCELLATION OR SUSPENSION OF LISTING AGREEMENT IS FOUND TO BE IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE RAHB’S RULES AND REGULATIONS, SECTION 3, AND IS MISSING THE SELLER’S SIGNATURE AND DATE OF SIGNING OR MISSING THE LISTING BROKER OF RECORD’S SIGNATURE(S), THE LISTING WILL BE REACTIVATED AND A FINE WILL BE ASSESSED AS OUTLINED IN MLS® POLICY #23, AS FOLLOWS:  $250 FOR FIRST OFFENSE, $500 FOR SECOND OFFENSE, $750 FOR THIRD OR SUBSEQUENT OFFENCES. FOLLOWING THE THIRD OFFENSE THE MEMBER’S BROKER LOAD PRIVILEGES MAY BE REVIEWED.

(Currently all broker loaded listings are subject to an audit of every one in 10 listings. For cancellations and suspensions, one in five listings will be audited.)

Bits & Bites

Jun 6, 2014 | MLS®, Stats & Technology | 0 comments

New App for REALTORS® and homebuyers in Southern Ontario

Look4Homes, a new app designed for iPhones and Androids, will soon be available to the members of the four STARRS associations – RAHB, Niagara, Brantford and Simcoe – and their clients.

This new product has great features for REALTORS® and their homebuyers:

  • Interactive map searching using GPS location-based technology in the iPhone and Android platforms
  • View property on maps, including satellite view
  • Search using all the criteria you are used to, including price range, number of beds and baths
  • Easily see all property details including multiple photos, price, property details and descriptions
  • Find your way to the front door using the turn-by-turn directions provided
  • Save properties for easy review later, or share them via text, email, Facebook or Twitter

Watch for the release of Look4Homes before the end of June.

 

SmartLinks and pop-up blockers

It is recommended that you add Fusion (URL: http://fusion.starrs.ca) to your browser’s list of allowed sites (‘exceptions’) for pop-ups – failing to do so may prevent Smartlinks (GeoWarehouse®, SIM, Connect, etc.) from opening.

Shown below are the steps to create an exception for Fusion in each of the major browsers.  There may be slight differences due to browser versions and settings, but the instructions should provide a basic overview of how to create a pop-up exception.

INTERNET EXPLORER
(Ver. 10 used as example; other versions are similar)

  1. Go to “Tools” → “Internet Options” → “Privacy”
  2. Click on the “Settings” button, located under the “Pop-up Blocker” header.
  3. Add Fusion to the list of exceptions by typing the URL into the field and clicking “Add”.

GOOGLE CHROME

  1. Click on “Customize and Control Google Chrome”
  2. Click on “Settings”
  3. Click on “Content Settings” (located under the “Privacy” header)
  4. Click on the “Manage Exceptions” button located under the “Pop-Ups” header.
  5. Add “fusion.starrs.ca” to the list, and make sure that “Behaviour” is set to “Allow”

MOZILLA FIREFOX

  1. Go to “Tools” → “Options” → “Content”
  2. Click on “Exceptions” (DO NOT uncheck “Block Pop-Up Windows” as this will allow pop-ups for all sites.
    This is an important security feature!)
  3. Enter the Fusion URL in the “Address of Website” field
  4. Click “Allow”

SAFARI
Safari does not allow for exceptions to the pop-up blocker.  To allow pop-ups in Safari, you must disable the
pop-up blocker:

  1. Go to “Safari” → “Preferences” → Security
  2. Uncheck “Block Pop-Up Windows.”

 

RAHB Updates

Apr 10, 2014 | RAHB News | 0 comments

1. Two new member services!

Two new member services are available to RAHB members:  the Single Sign On (SSO) and online Realty Shoppe.  Both services were announced at the recent RAHB Annual General Meeting.

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