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MLS PIN Subscriber Update March 2013
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A Message from our CEO
Kathy Condon
No doubt some of you are aware of recent industry news articles highlighting the potential risk to agents and brokers in displaying listing data on an IDX site. The Getty Images issue in Wichita, Kansas and the Fair Housing violation in Tampa, Florida are two examples of situations where brokers with IDX sites have been targeted for violations for listings of other brokers.
Getty Images, a stock photo agency, has been targeting various IDX sites where they have found their copyrighted photos displayed without permission. No doubt, the Internet makes it easy to pirate attractive photos and upload them for your listings. However, doing this not only puts you at risk, it puts every broker using MLS data on an IDX site at risk because it is the person who displays the photos or artwork on their site that is liable. Read More...
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 MLS PIN Board Votes to Remove ACT with a Flag Status
At a March 18th meeting, the Board of Directors approved a recommendation to do away with the Active with a Flag status. The implementation date is still to be determined, but should be a month or two away. Additional notice will be given before the change goes into effect. What this change means is that you will now be required to move a listing into the UAG status when you have a fully executed offer to purchase. However, we will still have the ACT with a Kick-out status (ACT  ), available only for those listings with an offer that has a kick-out/right of first refusal contingency.Read More... |
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Contact Manager  Top 12 Things to Know
Take a look at the Top 12 Things to Know about the new Contact Manager before you choose to upgrade - remember the one-time upgrade is permanent and all of your clients will be converted to the new system. You will love the new features for managing your clients, but take the time to read about it first; try out the beta link and review the training materials available now under the first step of the Client Management upgrade before completing the process. Already upgraded? Check out our Tips from the Experts and learn a new trick or two!
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New Contact Manager Training Class
Our new Contact Manager class will teach you everything you need to know before you choose to upgrade to the new option in Pinergy. Register by visiting Schedule & Registration on our website. Seats are available for April at locations throughout the state, but will fill up quickly. Hurry and reserve your seat today!
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Fax-to-Email Solution to be Announced Soon
As you may know, MongoFAX® officially closed their doors for business earlier this month. We realize that many of our customers used this product regularly and are disappointed. MLS PIN is currently negotiating an alternative and improved fax solution to assist you with your business needs. We look forward to announcing this new service in early April. Sometimes, change is good! |
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New HomePath® for Short Sales
 The Short Sales Assistance Desk (SSAD) has been replaced with an easier-to-use sale escalation process available from Fannie Mae. MLS PIN customers can view the "Short Sale" tab on www.HomePath.com to learn more. The enhanced short sale escalation portal will continue to expedite the short sale process, provide short sale results faster with help from Fannie Mae, allow real estate professionals to escalate issues for resolution, and help homeowners avoid foreclosures. Fannie Mae staff will work directly with MLS PIN customers who have cases in process with the SSAD currently to ensure that there is no interruption in service. HomePath® for Short Sales is also available as a "Quick Link" in Pinergy for more convenient access.
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What is RPR and How Can it Help with My Business?
 RPR Webinars for MLS PIN Customers
RPR allows you to enhance the service you provide to your clients by giving you key insights into the market, like the ability to search for and identify foreclosure and pre-foreclosure properties and provide in-depth neighborhood and school information. Coming in April and throughout the end of the year, a series of webinars will be available to show how you can use RPR to boost your business. Join us for an exclusive one hour online class - watch the Pinergy homepage for announcements on dates and times, along with registration each month. Looking to organize your calendar early, register for April 11th, 1pm-2pm or May 14th, 11am-12pm sessions now! |
Electronic Forms Come Full Circle in dotloop
MassForms™ and MLS PIN Forms
In case you haven't heard the news, MassForms™ are now available to Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® members through MLS PIN access to dotloop. Visit "Quick Links" in Pinergy now to sign up or sign in - your MassForms™ will be waiting for you under the Documents tab. Watch for more details on MLS PIN forms coming soon including our Active Status Request Form, Deferral of Showings Form, Non-MLS Form, and Status Change Form. Be paperless and more productive, with MassForms™, MLS PIN forms, and dotloop! |
Turn Renters into Homebuyers with RatePlug
Many renters are hesitant to dive into that first-time home mortgage. You can lessen the fear by providing clear, real-time monthly payment information with each listing they view from you in Pinergy. The information is provided by the lenders you currently work with and trust. Allow them to interact with the data to zero in on a mortgage program that fits their unique needs. You select the lender or lenders that you wish to display while promoting in-house lending companies, and provide valuable product and payment information for your client as they view listings from you, and so much more. Read More...
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Berkshire County Opens its Doors for Your Listings
New Reciprocal Listing Agreement
MLS PIN is pleased to announce a new reciprocal listing agreement providing the opportunity for MLS PIN customers who are REALTORS® to submit listings to the Berkshire County MLS. The cost is $30 for each listing input fee and $20 for each listing renewal fee. Our support team will be happy to assist with the instructions, paperwork and payment process. If you wish to participate or have questions give a call at 800-695-3000, option 1. We hope this partnership expands your market reach even further. |
Technical Tip
Easy Office Communication for Brokers
The "MLS PIN Messages" link at the top-right corner of the Pinergy homepage provides easy office communication. Brokers and Managers can use this feature to email everyone in the office (or you may select specific agents by clicking the drop-down on the To: line) with all of the current news postings from the Pinergy homepage. Add a personal message for extra emphasis! There is also an option to print if you prefer to place it on their desk or hand out at a meeting. Keep your team in the know with regard to new functionality, important updates, offerings and news from MLS PIN by using this convenient and easy tool.
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Employee Spotlight
Abbe Seldin, MLS PIN's Representative "Over the Bridge"
When it comes to choosing a representative for your business, the perfect candidate would be competitive, loyal, ambitious, and an all-around nice person. This may explain our decision in 2008 to recruit Abbe Seldin to represent MLS PIN on Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard.
Abbe was a competitor, even in high school - she fought, and won, her way onto the school's all-male tennis team with the help of future Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Abbe still plays competitive USTA tennis, and is a certified USPTA teacher. Read More... |
Massachusetts Trivia
Hebert Candy Mansion: Central Massachusetts' own Willy Wonka factory
Just up the street from MLS PIN is one of the most recognizable landmarks in central Massachusetts: the Hebert Candy Mansion. Frederick Hebert, already a successful candy merchant, bought the Tudor-style mansion in 1946, creating the country's first roadside candy store. Shortly after, he introduced America to white chocolate, previously a European delicacy. Today, the scent of chocolate greets you even before you enter the doors, and once inside, you can shop rooms full of candy and souvenirs, build your own sundae, and get a picture with the Easter Bunny. When the weather turns warm, Hebert Candy Mansion hosts "Cruisin' at the Mansion," a classic car show every Thursday evening. Of course, the candy - still handcrafted, still delicious - is what draws travelers to this historic mansion on a hill. It's enough to make anyone feel like a kid again!
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