Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS�
MLS & Technology e-Newsletter
January 19, 2015
GRAR 2015 Major Sponsors
FMlogo


SupraAgents Fair Goes Techie
It is time for the annual GRAR & WCR Agents Fair and Exhibit Show. This year's event, sponsored by CNB Mortgage, will feature Craig Grant, Real Estate Technology Institute Founder & Instructor. His participation is supported by WCR's Speaker Sponsor: GRB Bank.  Craig will be presenting several sessions that deal with helping today's REALTORS� use all facets of technology, the Internet, websites, social media & more in their business & daily lives. Tickets available now.

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2015, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Joseph A Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center
Admittance includes: Exhibitors, Educational Sessions, Continental Breakfast, Lunch & Door Prizes, and Free Parking at Convention Center Garage. One Stop Shopping!

ARTICLE1You Can Access RPR Reports From MLS - Now What?

Last week, GENRIS and the NYSAMLS's implemented some 'SmartLinks' in the MLS (Fusion and MLXchange). If you haven't been introduced to this robust NAR member benefit, now is the time before the spring market gets busy.  There are several ways to learn about RPR, from the RPR Video Center, to a 3 hour CE class right at GRAR. Take your pick.

  • At the RPR Video Learning Center, NAR has created a number of self-paced lesson plans for learning RPR and related tool sets. Click here to learn more or go right to the 10 Minute Lesson for New Users
  • RPR Webinars - click here  to see what is coming up.
  • Take a 3 hour CE Class at GRAR on February 17 from 9-noon with Jeremias Maneiro.  $35 members.  Register now

FAVORITESOur Favorite Apps & Tech
We've been sharing some of the most useful apps that members of our Technology Committee use and have recommend over the past  year.  Here are the next five (in no particular order):
  1. Google Forms - Use to collect information quickly from your friends, customers, or colleagues.  Create a form and collect the responses in a Google Docs spreadsheet.  Learn more.
  2. Reflector -  Reflector allows you to wirelessly mirror your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch screen to any Mac, PC or Android device.. Mirror your device on a big screen without wires or complicated setups.  Learn more. 
  3. Eyejot - An easy way to send video - IOS only, coming soon to Android. Learn more.
  4. eKey (subscription required) - use to open our BT LE lockboxes with your mobile device. Plus it is now cheaper than leasing an ActiveKEY. Learn more.
  5. Glympse - Glympse is a fast, free, and simple way to share your location in real time with the people you trust. IOS, Android and Windows phones. Learn more

ARTICLE3February Tech Tuesday: Taking Better Listing Photos and Basic Editing

GRAR's Technology Committee runs a Tech Tuesday session once a month! Join us the first Tuesday of each month for an informal session about various topics to help you get a better handle on some of our Technology benefits and other Tech topics. We'll have a brief presentation to kick things off and then lots of Q & A. Bring your questions, tips to share and or learn from others.


The February 3, 2015 session focuses on

Taking Better Listing Photos and Basic Editing. How can we better show off our listings? Better photography is a good start. Photo polishing will show you the following: Composition, or how to frame a photograph (rather than a snapshot). Cropping will take composition a little further emphasizing what you can leave out of a photograph. Lighting and flash use will help you get your photographs perfectly illuminated. Depending on time, we'll cover basic photo editing with free and paid for programs: Color Correction, or how to get rid of overtones caused by different light sources. Straightening and sharpening so your viewers don't have to tilt their heads. Lastly, sizing and re-sizing for publication, so we have our images sized optimally and not too big for output.

 

Join Tech Committee member and REALTOR, Tony Di Pietro from 1-2:30pm at GRAR for this sure to be helpful session. Register now as seating is limited. 


TECHHELPLINEInstanet Hands On Sessions Revised for 2015

The hands on sessions have changed and there are now offered for two skills levels. Please be sure to come to the right class for your skill set.  The key here is that someone who has never used Instanet should NOT come to either of these hands on sessions.  It is too disruptive to the others in the class.   The prerequisite is that you have used the product for a real transaction, attended an overview lecture or a CE class.  Then you can come for hands on practice/assistance.  Those who have never used the product should start with the Overview or CE class. See Upcoming Tech Class Section below for dates/times of all upcoming classes.

 

Below are the descriptions that you would see when you sign up for the class:

 

Instanet Forms Overview

Overview of Instanet Forms, with an introduction to Authentisign, GRAR's e-signatures tool. Lecture style session. 0 hours CE.

 

Instanet Forms & AuthentiSign One

This CE course is Lecture Style. Instanet Forms & AuthentiSign One is an overview of Instanet Forms, with an introduction to Authentisign, GRAR's e-signatures tool. 3 hours CE.

 

Instanet Forms & AuthentiSign Hands on Basics

Hands on session (no CE provided).  Attend this small group workshop as a follow-up to Instanet Overview, Instanet One or Two classes and/or if you've been using Instanet and AuthentiSign but have questions and want some hands on assistance.  Must have at least some experience using the product. This is not a true beginner class.  If you have never used the product, please start with the Instanet Forms Overview session or the Instanet and AuthentiSign 1 CE class.  0 hours CE.

 

Instanet Forms & AuthentiSign Hands on Advanced Features

Hands on session (no CE provided).  Attend this small group workshop if you've been using Instanet and AuthentiSign but have questions and want some hands on assistance.  Must have experience using the product. This is not a beginner class.  0 hours CE.


CEUpcoming Tech CE, Training & Tech Tuesdays

Instanet Forms Overview Lecture Only - (0 CE)

TUE | Jan. 20 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Instructor: Mike O'Connor
CE Credit: 0 hrs

Cost: FREE (GRAR members only)


Fusion Two (Advanced Fusion) - (3 CE) 

THU | Jan. 22 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Instructor: Bill Roesser

CE Credit: 3 hrs

Cost: $35 members / $75 non-members


Instanet & AuthentiSign Hands-on PC - Basics - (0 CE) 

TUE | Jan. 27 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Instructor: Mike O'Connor
CE Credit: 0 hrs 

Cost: $25 (GRAR members only); Using GRAR PCs


Instanet & AuthentiSign Hands-on PC - Advanced Features - (0 CE) 

WED | Jan. 28 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Instructor: Mike O'Connor
CE Credit: 0 hrs
Cost: $25 (GRAR members only); Using GRAR PCs


Tech Tuesdays - (0 CE) 

TUE | Feb. 3 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Topic: Taking Better Listing Photos and Basic Editing
Instructor: Tony Di Pietro
CE Credit: 0hrs

Cost: FREE (GRAR members only)


A.I.M. 4 Success - (3 CE) 

Learn how to start to go paperless, work with video, do mobile presentations on your tablet and all the latest and greatest apps!  
THU | Feb. 5 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Instructor: Jeremias Maneiro
CE Credit: 3 hrs

Cost: $35 members


Instanet Forms & AuthentiSign One - (3 CE)  
WED | Feb. 11 | 9:00 AM - 12:00PM

Instructor: Mike O'Connor
CE Credit: 3 hrs

Cost: $35 members / $75 non-members


RPR: Real-Time Data, Market Knowledge, Informed Consumers - (3 CE)

TUE | Feb. 17 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Instructor: Jeremias Maneiro

CE Credit: 3 hrs

Cost: $35 members / $75 non-members


For more information on all GRAR courses, go to: www.GRAR.org 

Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS�, Inc. 

3445 Winton Place, Suite 104

Rochester, NY 14623

 

585-292-5000 |  800-292-7101  |  [email protected]  |  Mon. - Fri. 8:30am - 4:30pm

 www.GRAR.org      GRAR Tech Support Guide     GRAR Staff Roster 

 

 Fusion/MLX/GoNYSMLS Issues: AnswerLink 888-825-5472, M-F 8:30-8:30pm & Sat/Sun 8:30am- 3:30pm

All Other Technical Support:  Tech Helpline at 866-232-1831, M-F 9am - 8pm & Sat 9am - 5pm

 

Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter   View our profile on LinkedIn