MLXchange 3.0 Launch
Wednesday 20 June 2007
Upgrade met with challenges
Thank you for your ongoing patience while we address the technical issues that challenged our rollout of MLXchange 3.0. When we launched MLXchange 3.0 at 9:00AM on June 5, we quickly discovered the new system faced compatibility issues with the MFR-Secure LoginKey. By 1:30PM we employed a strategy to get you back in business by temporarily suspending the LoginKey function and using the static Member ID and Password combination. That afternoon, we broadcast a special customized e-zine that announced the service interruption, described our solution, and offered tools to help you recall your password. Our attempts to reinstate the LoginKey on June 12 were postponed when we identified an additional issue that could have caused login problems. By cooperating closely with our vendors who provide our MLXchange and LoginKey service, we have put in motion a permanent solution, and we will reactivate the LoginKey soon.
In the meantime, we have received a positive response to the new features available with MLXchange 3.0. The most popular features include spell check, the new picture viewer, and the ability to reorder your search results. View more about the features of MLXchange 3.0 in our e-zine archives.
8 out of 10 Paid Online and On-time
Wednesday 20 June 2007
Thousands take advantage of online, on-time payment incentives
As of June 15, most MFRMLS subscribers had taken advantage of special payment incentives and paid their 2007-2008 MLS fees online and on-time, saving up to $92.00.
Brokers: check your account at our Online Payment Center. You'll be able to see if any agents in your office have not paid their MLS fees. If the fees are not paid within 90 days from the June 15 due date, you'll be subject to an office-wide service suspension. If any of the agents on your account are no longer active, notify your local association today by filing a form #2050 and we will remove the inactive agents' fees from your account.
MLXchange Pro
Wednesday 20 June 2007
Upgrade to the professional edition now
As part of your subscription to MFRMLS, you have access to the Professional version of MLXchange at no additional charge. MLXchange Pro provides many advanced features not available in the Standard package, yet a surprising number of subscribers have not upgraded. One reason is that MLXchange defaults to the Standard edition, and subscribers either don't know they have access to Professional, or they don't know how to upgrade.
Sometime this summer, we'll be activating all accounts with MLXchange Pro enabled. Likewise, all existing subscribers who have not yet upgraded will be prompted to do so. This mandatory change will make it easier for our Help Desk to assist you, and it will help our subscribers get the most out of their MFRMLS subscription.
Beat the rush! If you haven't upgraded to MLXchange Pro, you can get a head start by upgrading today.
Here's how to tell if you're operating MLXchange Standard:
- Log on to your MLXchange Account
- Look in the top right-hand corner. If you're using Standard, you'll find a box that says "click here to upgrade. Subscribers already using Professional will see the "Find a Client" feature instead.
How to upgrade if you are using Standard:
- Click "Professional Upgrade" from the Home Page of MLXchange
- You'll be sent to a screen showing "Products Available for Purchase," featuring MLXchange Professional
- Click on the green "order" button
- You'll be sent to a screen showing a charge of $0.00 per month (MFRMLS covers your cost)
- Do not enter a credit card number or change any of the billing information
- Click continue to complete your upgrade
- When you return to the home page, you'll be in the Professional version
Visit the e-zine archives to read about some of the expanded features available with MLXchange Pro.
MFRMLS Remembers a Founding Member
Wednesday 20 June 2007
Celebrating the splendid life and contributions of Ron Acker
Ronald L. Acker Sr.--husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, mentor, friend, community activist, volunteer, world traveler, and real estate business leader--passed away Sunday, June 10, 2007, after a long, courageous battle with leukemia.
While best known as the Broker Owner of RE/MAX 200 Realty, RE/MAX Town & Country Realty, RE/MAX Realty Centre and RE/MAX Achievers, the 65-year-old entrepreneur's professional background was rich with a host of education-related professions, and included serving as an elementary school teacher; a sales, training and marketing executive director for a major publication company; and owner of several successful businesses.
In 1989, after a decade as a successful Central Florida real estate agent, Ron, with his wife Kathy, purchased RE/MAX 200 Realty in Winter Park. Together they and their sons grew this office from a few dozen agents, to over 100 agents, recognized as a top independently owned real estate brokerage in Central Florida.
While Ron developed additional business interests in commercial real estate, the title industry, and economic development, he continually gave back to the community, serving as past President of the Orlando Regional Realtor Association (ORRA), founding President and subsequent Board Member of the Mid-Florida Regional Multiple Listing Service, and the ORRA representative on the Economic Development Commission's Governor's Council. Ron also gave back to his alma mater by serving as past President of Rollins College Alumni Association and past advisor to TKE Fraternity Board of Directors.
His dedication was honored in 2001 when he was named Realtor of the Year and again in 2005 when the Orlando Regional Realtors Association gave Ron the Walter Rose Lifetime Achievement Award. Not one to slow down, the accolades only encouraged him, and in 2006 Ron committed himself to improving Central Florida's affordable housing initiatives in the same spirit that he supported the Winter Park Arts Festival, Susan B. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research, the Children's Miracle Network, and other groups and organizations.
During the past decade, Ron traveled to Europe, Central America, Mexico, South Africa, and throughout the United States, encouraging and mentoring both regional and emerging markets in the best practices for real estate professionals.
"Ron's vision, compassion, commitment and leadership will be sorely missed in the very wide circle who knew him both here and around the world, thanks to his very active involvement in international real estate," expressed Belton Jennings, CEO of ORRA.
Ron is survived by his wife, Kathleen of Maitland; sons and spouses: Lee and Shana, Kevin and Melissa, Mark and Andrea of Maitland and Winter Park; his mother, Arlene Proulx of Altamonte Springs, one brother, Kenneth of Vero Beach, and seven grandchildren: Mia, Julia, Kristen, Sam, Noah, Joshua, and Jordan; and over 200 of the best agents and employees who love and share his passion in their lives every day. Ron was preceded in death by his sister, Cindy Anderson and his father, Claire Acker.
A celebration of Ron's life was held at Knowles Memorial Chapel at Rollins College on Friday June 15, 2007.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to express their support consider a donation to either the Rollins College Ron Acker Scholarship Fund, 1000 Holt Avenue - 2754, Winter Park FL 32789-4499 or a donation to the Ron Acker Affordable Housing Foundation, P.O. Box 1689, Winter Park FL 32790 in honor of Ron's dedication to these causes.
New Listing Abuse/Manipulation Policy
Wednesday 20 June 2007
Stiffer fines for violations of this very important rule
In the midst of this tough market, we have noticed a sharp rise in the number of reports of listing abuse and manipulation. Some selling agents take advantage of the system by withdrawing a property and then re-listing it to make it appear new. Not only does this practice misrepresent the property to buyers and their agents, it also reduces the reliability of the statistics we count on to measure the health of the entire Central Florida Real Estate market.
Such abuse is absolutely unacceptable, and the MFRLS Board has moved to implement stiffer penalties for listing abuse and manipulation.
The Rules and Regulations regarding listing abuse are as follows:
Section 32. Listing Abuse: MLS listings may not be changed to make a listing appear to be new. The only valid reason for changing a listing number is a new listing agreement executed by a new agent/new company or a new listing agreement, dated 30 days after the expiration or withdrawal of the prior agreement.
The new fine schedule for Listing Abuse and Manipulation is as follows:
1st offense: $50.00 fine
2nd offense: $1000.00 fine
3rd offense: $2000.00 fine
4th offense: 30 day suspension of MLS services (effective at the end of an appeal process)
Providing accurate data on our MLS is a top priority, and it is essential to providing you the best most reliable tools possible. While we do not enjoy fining subscribers, it has proven an important tool in maintaining the accuracy of the MLS. This new policy and fine schedule has been put in place only after extensive deliberation, and it was based upon successful implementations of similar policies in other multiple listing services elsewhere in the country.
Virtual tours
Wednesday 20 June 2007
In May, the top listing violations were found in Virtual Tours followed by Tax I.D numbers, Contact Information, Listing Status, and Compensation.
Remember that no contact information, company names, or logos are allowed in virtual tours. The one notable exception is the allowance of the name of the company that created the virtual tour, as this information will not interfere with the fair sharing of listing data.
Our new Listing Maintenance classes continue to reduce the number of multiple fines levied against individuals, as new subscribers are more educated before they start listing properties. Likewise, experienced agents have been taking advantage of the $50.00 credit that is applied against their fines if they attend the class.