Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What do you mean when you say IDX?

A: IDX is simply referring to an agent’s or broker’s public-facing website that displays all My Florida Regional MLS listings. See the IDX section below for further details.

Q: How many agents are displaying the DPR IDX icon/link on qualified listings from their IDX site?

A: Several thousand and growing.

Q: Do you know if it is against MLS rules to advertise the possibility of DPR in the Agent or Public Remarks of the listing?

A: My Florida Regional MLS has confirmed that it is acceptable to mention DPR in Agent or Public Remarks.

Q: How do we get to the DPR Member Home Page?

A: Login to MLXchange.  From your MLXchange home page, go under Resources and then Smart Links.  “Down Payment Resource Login” will appear under Smart Links and this link connects you to the DPR Member Home Page.

Q: How do you do a hyperlink to DPR?

A: Utilize the Personal Marketing Tool or IDX Tool, both of which are outlined below.

Q: How can you send a client a link to see if they are eligible for a program? Does it have to be by an email signature link or is there another way?

A: This is one way to use “Your Personal Marketing Tool,” which can be distributed as creatively as you wish – via email (in the signature), installed on your personal web site, via dynamic digital newsletter, and on your Facebook page, to name a few examples. You can also simply cut and paste the URL from the “Your Personal Marketing Tool” page.  Also, when you email listings to your client, if the property is eligible for DPR, the report will show the Down Payment Resource icon.  When the client clicks on it, it will take them through a series of questions that will help determine how many programs they may be eligible for.  MFRMLS has also created an email template that explains the DPR icon to the client.

Q: Is there a way to check by property address to see if it is eligible for any assistance programs?

A: Yes, you can click on “New Search” from the DPR Member Home Page, or you can utilize the Pricing Widget, which was specifically designed for this purpose.

Q: Will you have a webinar posted somewhere for review?

A: Yes, the Down Payment Resource webinar is available to all members by going to www.mfrmlsuniversity.com and then clicking on the YouTube channel link.  If you scroll down you will see a list of available recordings, including the DPR (Down Payment Resource) webinar.  You also have access to it through your MLXchange Home Page, under Resources and then Tutorials and Recorded webinars.

Q: I just put in info on a house I have listed.  14 programs come up in DPR; how do I find out more about them?

A: Each program listed in the results display contains a button called “Next Steps.”  Click this button to gain more information about that particular program, including agency contact info and other program guidelines.

Q: Can you tell us specifically how to get this on our own sites or email signatures?

A: Visit the Personal Marketing Tool and/or IDX Setup pages from the DPR Member Home Page to view setup instructions for each respective tool. Information is also found in the Video Guides. View Module #4 for information on setting up the IDX link and Module #6 for information using Your Personal Marketing Tool.

Q: I have a buyer that had lost their home 3 yrs ago.  Would they be eligible for 1st time home buyer or other programs in DPR?

A: Possibly.  Many programs define a first-time homebuyer according to HUD’s definition, which basically means they cannot have owned a home in the last three years (with certain conditions or exceptions).  However, you may need to inquire with the agency or a participating lender about the credit impact of previous short sale, foreclosure or other forfeiture.

Q: Are loan programs from around the state all listed and updated?

A: Yes, all programs in DPR are updated on a monthly basis via communications directly with the agency offering the program.  The location of the program’s administrator or servicer is not a factor in the maintenance schedule of each program.

Q: Is the icon automatic on the MLS or do you have to sign up for it or connect it somehow?

A: Within the MLS, automatic processes have been setup such that listings are analyzed nightly to determine DPR eligibility.  You do not need to sign up or enroll for DPR – MFRMLS provides the service free to members!  Please note those new listings and any listing status or information changes may require 24-48 hours to be identified and adjusted according to the system communications between MFRMLS and DPR.  In order to display the DPR icon on your listings from an IDX site, please view the “DPR/IDX Setup” page from the DPR Member Home Page or view the tutorial for the IDX link to learn how to set that up manually.

Q: Will there be handouts that you can email?

A: No. We believe that posting a recording of the webinar along with this Q&A will better serve as a reference guide.

Q: How does DPR connect with properties on MFRMLS?  Is it determined just by price?  Or by MLS area?  Or what parameters determine whether the icon shows on the listing?

A: DPR analyzes the location and listing price (among other data fields) of each listing to determine if, how many, and which assistance programs the listing may be eligible for.  If one or more assistance programs match up with the listing, the listings is flagged with the DPR icon.  If no programs match the listing, the DPR icon does not appear.

Q: How do we sign up?  Is it through your site at http://www.workforce-resource.com ?

A: Actually, as a member of MFRMLS, you are automatically enrolled in and given access to all features DPR offers, and all platforms DPR is integrated into!

Q: Is DPR icon available for agents using Listingbook as their personal website?

A: Not at this time.

Q: I am having problems with the site being correct and up-to-date, in particular with neighborhood assistance.

A: Please let us know anytime you see missing or inaccurate program data and we will correct that ASAP. You may do that by clicking on “Request Help” from the Member Home Page or by clicking on “Contact Us” at the top of any of our web pages. The data regarding each program is vigorously research and maintained monthly, but we also rely in part on the respective housing agencies to support those efforts.  While most comply and are steadfast supporters of DPR, there are some agencies who – for reasons they do not always disclose – do not support DPR’s efforts to build awareness of their programs.  We may, at times, struggle to keep those agencies’ programs current, but utilize all possible resources to do so.

Q: Do I need to have a listing to use Down Payment Resource?

A: Absolutely not.  All features of DPR are available to you simply as a member of Northstar.  You may use the Personal Marketing Tool to prospect.  You may use the “New Search” link found on the Member Home Page to match buyers to DPR-eligible properties. Please view these Video Guides to learn about the many ways to take advantage of DPR.

Q: Are there maps available within the resource to view areas where DPR assistance programs are available so we know what areas to direct buyers to?

A: Not yet, as the maps would be quite dynamic and ever-changing as program guidelines, funding and jurisdictions shift over time.  That said, this is certainly a feature we will look into for future releases – great idea!

Q: Is there a charge to us to use DPR as a marketing tool?

A: No, not if you are a member of MFRMLS.

Q: Are the sign riders available at our board or are they mailed directly to our office?

A: We are making arrangements for sign riders to be available through an online sign vendor directly at actual cost.

Q: Are you able to print off a list of potential programs a specific home is eligible for as a tool for an open house?

A: Certainly – you may utilize the Pricing Widget to determine which programs are available at a certain listing price, then print the results of that search.

Q: Does Zillow support the DPR Links?

A: Not at this time.

Q: Do the “Participating Lenders” have access to these programs?

A: No.  DPR is only available to MFRMLS member REALTORS and we do not copy, forward or otherwise deliver assistance program information, inquiry details or search results to any lender. We simply offer the lender contact information, provided by the housing finance agency, as a data field in DPR to help you guide the buyer through the next steps.

Q: I work with a builder.  How does he become affiliated with these programs so that he can offer them to potential buyers?

A: Through you!  Offer to install your Personal Marketing Tool icon/link on the builder’s website/homepage and manage those leads for the builder (since they are coded to come to you when your PMT URL in hyperlinked to the graphic).  You can also use Matrix to check the builder’s listings and generate marketing materials based on their DPR-eligibility (if listed).

Q: I understand that many of these programs have an ownership time limit. If a person sells the home within a 7 year period, they will owe the DPR program money back. Where can we find that information?

A: True, many programs have such requirements, but those requirements differ and vary widely among programs.  This is commonly referred to as the “affordability period” of the assistance program. You can get more details about such requirements by clicking on “Next Steps” for each program result and reviewing the program in more detail.

Q: Will a "DPR Eligibility" field be added as a searchable field on MLXchange?

A: Yes. You would need to add to your search DPR (Y/N)

Personal Marketing Tool Questions

Q: That link that you can put into your email signature... what will it look like to the customer on the other end?

A: The customer will see the image that you select from the choices displayed on the “Your Marketing Tool” instruction page.

Q: Where do we find the URL to use?

A: From the DPR Member Home Page, scroll down on the left navigation menu to “Your Marketing Tool.”  This page offers the three-step setup instructions as well as the URL you need to hyperlink your chosen graphic to.  You can also print a .pdf version of the instructions from the top of this page.

Q: Is it necessary to have a website in order to get DPR personal URL?

A: No, not necessarily.  Your DPR Personal Marketing Tool URL is actually hosted on our site.  We do so in order to ensure that all consumer leads generated from your PMT URL are directed to you and only you.  If, however, you want to install the Personal Marketing Tool on a home page, you’ll need to obtain the website.  Otherwise, you can simply use your email or newsletter service to distribute the URL.  Or even your Facebook page!

Q: Can we put a link on a Facebook or other social media sites to try to get leads that way? If so, how?

A: Yes, you simply install the DPR graphic in whichever location you choose – web site home page, email signature, e-newsletter, Facebook page, etc. – and then hyperlink the DPR graphic to the URL provided in the “Your Personal Marketing Tool” setup instructions.

Q: Who does the buyer lead go to when a buyer completes the Personal Marketing Tool form and submits their information?

A: The URL (web address) you hyperlink your Personal Marketing Tool graphic to is coded specifically to you, so any buyer or prospect who clicks on YOUR Personal Marketing Tool link, whether on your website or in your email signature or elsewhere, will be directed to you and only you.

IDX Tool Questions

Q: What is the IDX Tool?

A: Our DPR IDX Tool allows you to display a DPR icon and link on listings displayed on your own site via an IDX feed from the MLS.  From the DPR Member Home Page, scroll down to the “DPR/IDX Setup” button on the left navigation menu.  Click that button, and from here you have the four-step setup instructions as well as the URLs required to complete your DPR IDX Tool setup.  This extends the reach of DPR’s toolset to your consumers on public-facing sites.

Q: Who will get the lead - the listing agent, the agent from the agent page where the customer was searching or the broker website?

A: When a consumer clicks on a DPR icon from an IDX link and submits a request to be contacted, that lead is directed to the IDX site owner.  This is determined by MFRMLS Broker Reciprocity rules that apply to any leads generated by your IDX site.

Q: Will this DPR icon show up on all our listings on Realtor.com, trulia.com, etc. or do we have to add it?

A: At this time, DPR is not supported by these vendors.

Q: Can I put the IDX on individual property sites such as epropertysites.com?

A: You may install and promote the Personal Marketing Tool icon and link on such sites, but the IDX feature is not relevant without an IDX feed.