Dec 19, 2016 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
Effective Tuesday, January 24, 2017, five new mandatory fields will be added to Fusion broker load. These fields will be required for all your listings, as noted below:
1. Total Area will be mandatory for all commercial property types, excluding business-only listings. The information will be required in the “Total Area” line on the current RAHB Property Information Form.
2. Heat Source will be mandatory for all residential property types. Use the field for “Fuel” on the current Residential Property Information Form.
3. Square Footage & Square Footage Source will be mandatory for all residential property types. Place the information in the “Square Footage +/-”line on the current Residential Property Information Form. You can write the source of square footage underneath.
4. Assessment Roll Number will be mandatory for all residential and commercial property types. Enter the information in the “Roll #” section of the current Property Information Form.
5. Zoning for listings located in Brantford, Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo, Niagara, Oakville/Milton and Simcoe. This will apply to all residential and commercial property types in these areas. Zoning will not be mandatory for listings located in the RAHB area.
Click here for more information about square footage and square footage source, and where to find Assessment Roll Numbers.
These fields are being added to Fusion – and will also be mandatory for RAHB’s own Matrix system – to ensure closer data alignment with the regional Matrix system. This will mean you have more complete, comprehensive data and your listings will comply with the MLS® rules for the area in which the listed property is located.
Please note: if you make revisions to already active listings after January 24, 2017 all new mandatory field information will be required on the revised listings.
Also as of January 24, 2017, Fusion will no longer accept combined For Lease or Sale on a single MLS® number. If you have a property that is for sale or lease, enter the listing twice in broker load – once as a For Sale Only and once as a For Lease Only listing. This may be a step backward but unfortunately Matrix does not allow combined listing types.
If you have a current For Lease or Sale listing, you will need to amend it so that the current listing becomes For Sale Only, with any lease information – including leasing commission to leasing broker – removed. Then create a new MLS® number for the Lease Only, with the appropriate leasing information included. You will not have to fill out two OREA listing agreements and two RAHB res/condo property information sheets, though. One will suffice.
Also on January 24, 2017, the regional Matrix system will remove the combined “For Lease or Sale” as a search category. If you are searching for properties that are for either lease or sale, select “For Sale”, “For Lease” or both options, as applicable.
More information is available in the full version of The Shift here.
When RAHB’s Matrix system is available, your Contacts and Saved Searches will be moved over from the regional Matrix system. Therefore, you should make sure that all your Contacts and Saved Searches are updated in the regional Matrix system, and turned on, and all your Contacts and Saved Searches in Fusion are turned off.
Dec 7, 2016 | Member Services |
Looking for zoning resources for properties in Hamilton and Burlington? Check out the following websites:
Hamilton Properties:
Hamilton Economic Development Zoning Lookup Tool
https://spatialsolutions.hamilton.ca/ZoningLookup/
**Tip: This new tool contains multiple information layers. You must type in “RD” instead of “road”, “ST” instead of “street”, etc. for the map to locate addresses.
City of Hamilton Mapping Site
http://map.hamilton.ca
Zoning Verifications
Contact the City of Hamilton at building@hamilton.ca or 905.546.2720.
Burlington Properties:
Zoning information & Map from City of Burlington
https://www.burlington.ca/en/zoning
Zoning Verifications
Contact the City of Burlington at 905.335.7642.
Dec 7, 2016 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
It has come to our attention that searching for mixed use or institutional listings in the regional Matrix system will not return the specific results for those categories of properties.
To find mixed use or institutional listings in regional Matrix, select Sub Type = Other. You will then have to look through the results to find the properties that interest you.
Looking to send holiday cards from your contacts in Matrix?
Check out our video on how to create a mailing list in Matrix at http://bit.ly/RAHBlabels
Nov 18, 2016 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
When sending emails to clients from within Matrix, you now have the option to modify the contacts’ information directly from the Send Email screen without having to exit the send email process. In addition, some help text has been added to Contact Email Address field to inform users how to correctly enter multiple email addresses for a single contact.
When selecting a contact from the Select Contact pick list, a new “Edit Contact” link becomes visible when a single client is highlighted. The “Edit Contact” link is hidden when two or more rows are highlighted.
If an auto email search is about to expire because no listings have matched the search criteria within the default 50-day time frame, you will receive a warning notification email (3 days before expiring) with a link to extend the auto email.
If a contact clicks on the link in the initial Welcome email, the system will automatically enable all outstanding searches for that contact. This change resolves the scenario where you have created two auto email searches for a contact. The contact receives two seemingly identical Welcome emails and then clicks the link in only one of them, not knowing that the other Welcome email is for an entirely different saved search for which they aren’t yet receiving updates.
When viewing a Full Property display in the Client Portal, the x button in the top right corner could easily be overlooked, so it has been replaced by a much more prominent “Back to Results” link in the left side of that same top bar.
The updated Map Legend now displays all the map pins and descriptions currently in use. This legend is now the same in both Matrix and the Portal; there is no longer a separate version for the Portal.
When a search uses either the Map Search to find listings within a selected distance of an entered location or a single radius search shape on the map, the results grid will automatically display a sortable Distance” column showing the distance “as a crow flies” of each listing from the entered location or center point of the radius search.
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- The Distance column is displayed only on grid-type displays, which are the one-line displays that allow the user to add/modify/delete columns. The Distance column is also included if printing or exporting that display format. Note: The Distance column cannot be moved or removed on the display.
- In the CMA wizard, the Comparables step will include the distance of each comparable from the subject property if he subject property has been mapped.
When you click the Refresh link in Session Timeout alert bar, you will remain on the same screen you were working on instead of returning to the Home page. If you need to re-authenticate, you will be returned to the screen you were previously viewing and not the Home page.
Nov 7, 2016 | Member Services |
Looking for zoning and other information about properties in Hamilton and Burlington? Check out the following websites.
For Hamilton:
Hamilton Economic Development Zoning Lookup Tool
City of Hamilton Mapping Site
Both sites have information about every property in Hamilton but different approaches to displaying the information. Enter an address and see which site you prefer.
Note: the Economic Development site uses normal abbreviations such as St., Blvd., Dr. in the search window. Longer forms (street, boulevard, drive, etc.) will not produce any results. If in doubt as to the proper abbreviations, just mention the name of the road.
For zoning enquiries or verifications, contact the City of Hamilton at building@hamilton.ca or 905.546.2720.
For Burlington:
Zoning information (including an interactive map) for the City of Burlington is available at https://www.burlington.ca/en/zoning. Click on the “Interactive Zoning Map” button to locate properties in Burlington.
For zoning inquiries or verifications, contact the City of Burlington at 905.335.7642.
Nov 7, 2016 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
How do you create your virtual tours? Have you ever used the Property Panorama service offered by RAHB? Take the survey at http://bit.ly/propertypanorama to help us make decisions about this feature.
Nov 7, 2016 | Member Services |
The RealTrack service is available for all members’ use in the RAHB Resource Centre.
What is RealTrack?
RealTrack is a licenced database for searching commercial real estate transactions of $500,000 and over, for properties located in Ontario. Compiled from land title documents, telephone interviews, site visits and other sources, RealTrack collects, confirms and publishes the information of over 107,500 property transfers dating back to 1996. The database grows at a rate of 100-150 new transactions every week.
Property information includes:
- address/location
- transfer date
- consideration details (cash and assumed/vtb debt)
- party contact information
- street level and aerial photos (with site boundaries)
- dynamic maps
- property descriptions including type, size and number of units
- description of site boundaries
- financing details
- broker/agent contact information
Access to RealTrack in the RAHB Resource Centre is by chance or by appointment (one user session at a time). Contact Kathy (kathyr@rahb.ca) or Nancy (nancyd@rahb.ca) to reserve your time today!
Oct 6, 2016 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
Would you take a short survey about Property Panorama? Use this link to the survey on Survey Monkey and help us make decisions about this feature.
Thanks for your assistance!
Oct 6, 2016 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
The Board of Directors recently approved the following changes to the MLS® Rules and Regulations and MLS® Policies:
- MLS® Rules and Regulations, Section 2, Sub-section 2.15 regarding “no offers until” was amended so that OREA form 244 “Seller’s Direction re: Property/Offers” should be used to document the Seller’s instructions for “no offers until”. Section 2.15 now reads: 2.15 If an MLS® listing indicates that offers are not to be presented for a period of time, the listing brokerage shall complete, as part of the listing, the seller’s written direction on the OREA form “Seller’s Direction re: Property/Offers and disclose all particulars of such direction in the “Remarks” field of the MLS® listing. Should the seller rescind a restriction pertaining to the presentation of offers, the Listing Brokerage shall immediately, and with reasonable notice to all parties:(a) complete, as part of the MLS® listing, the Seller’s written direction on the Association’s form entitled “Amendment to Listing Agreement” and make the necessary changes to the “Remarks” field for such MLS® listing; and
(b) if the listing brokerage is representing the Seller in the negotiation of offers, notify by telephone, all Co-operating Brokerages, who requested and/or registered offer presentations, that such restriction is removed and arrange for the presentation of all offers to the Seller, without delay.
- MLS® Rules and Regulations, Section 12 – 12.01 Trading Procedures was amended by the deletion of sub-section 12.01 regarding deposits. The section that was deleted was: Section 12 – Trading Procedures12.01 In all cases, Brokerages shall make every attempt to obtain adequate deposits. Such deposits shall be made out in the name of the Listing Brokerage, unless otherwise directed by their client, and turned over to the Listing Brokerage, or as otherwise directed by such client, together with a copy of the Agreement of Purchase and Sale or other agreement evidencing the trade in real estate. When the deposit is held by the Co-operating Brokerage, they shall disburse funds in accordance with written directions of the Listing Brokerage or the Seller, as applicable.
- MLS® Policies – RAHB Members Open House was amended by the deletion of Policy #5 regarding a change of open house hours on a day of a RAHB membership meeting. The section that was deleted was: 5. If there is a general membership meeting of the association on the scheduled open house date, the open house will be held from 11:00 a.m. To 1:00 p.m.
These changes are effective immediately. The RAHB MLS® Rules and Regulations and MLS® policies are posted in REALTOR Link®.
Oct 6, 2016 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
MLS® Reminder:
Make sure you and your administrative staff report these sales and leases according to the MLS® Policies:
1. Selling Brokerage is a non-RAHB member
The Selling Salesperson field should say “NONMEM” and the Selling Comments should have the notation “Sold by (Name of Selling Salesperson) – (Name of Selling Brokerage).”
2. Leases
The lease breakdown must be entered on the comment line, in the same unit as the list price. For example, if the list price is $14 per square foot and the lease price is $12 per square foot, the Selling Comments should show the breakdown and total volume for the lease.
Example – Leased for 1 year at $12 per square foot per month x 500 square feet = $72,000
Not sure about what the policies are? You can find the MLS® Rules and Regulations and MLS® Policies on REALTOR Link® (under the MLS® tab), in Fusion under the Resources gadget – click on the RAHB Documents link, and in the RAHB section of Matrix Links.
Oct 6, 2016 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
Have you ever seen a Commission to Listing Brokerage that said “1” and left you wondering if that meant $1 or 1%? Wouldn’t it be better for everyone if it was specified if the commission was a dollar amount or a percentage?
So that everyone is clear on what the commission to the selling brokerage will be, be sure you indicate in the Commission to Selling Brokerage field whether the amount is a percentage or a dollar amount. That way, everyone will know what to expect.
Sep 1, 2016 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
What are pre-emptive offers?
Pre-emptive (or bully) offers come into play when offers are only being considered at a certain date and time at the request of the Seller. The Seller signs a Direction re: No Offer Presentations form and those instructions are included in the Remarks section of the listing (look for phrases along the lines of No offers until (date/time) or No offers until (date/time) but the Seller will review/accept pre-emptive offers). When a listing has instructions noted to hold offers, and a Buyer insists on presenting an offer anyway, that is called a pre-emptive (or bully) offer.
What happens when there’s a pre-emptive offer?
If you are the listing salesperson or broker, according to REBBA 2002 you must follow your Seller’s instructions. [Code of Ethics s.24 Conveying Offers -24.(1) & 24. (4)] If you have written instructions from your Seller for “no offers”, you cannot present any offers, and pre-emptive offers are no exception.
If your seller changes their mind and wants to review pre-emptive offers, you must make sure that you follow Article 2, Section 2.15 of RAHB’s MLS® Rules and Regulations.
If your seller has said “no offers until (date/time)” and then changes his or her mind and wants to review offers prior to the presentation date, or has already instructed you that they will review an offer before the presentation date, then you have an obligation to present the offer. But – and this is important – you must make sure that within a timely manner you follow Article 2, Section 2.15 of RAHB’s MLS® Rules and Regulations:
1.Have the Seller sign an Amendment to Listing Agreement and update the listing information to reflect that offers can now be presented.
2. Contact (by telephone) all co-operating brokerages that have requested and/or already registered an offer presentation. Let them know that offers can now be presented, and arrange offer presentations.
What if I have a buyer that wants to put in a pre-emptive offer?
If you are a salesperson or broker representing a Buyer and he or she insists on writing a pre-emptive offer, you will have to advise them that their offer cannot be immediately presented if the Seller’s instructions are “no offers until (date/time)”. Let them know that the Seller may also change his or her mind, and if/when this happens the REALTOR® representing the Seller will be obligated to inform you, and all other parties that have facilitated showings or have registered offers, that the Seller will now be reviewing offers.
