ARMLS recently announced they negotiated a deal with SUPRA to replace your lockbox DisplayKEY with a shiny new ActiveKEY!  The upgraded technology is designed to simplify your lockbox key management.  The biggest difference is that you will no longer need a cradle.  The ActiveKEY syncs itself wirelessly using an internal cellphone signal.  Pretty cool.

Here is some of what GE has to say about ActiveKEYs on their website.

ActiveKEY keeps itself updated 24/7 through frequent cellular connections to the Supra network. Virtually no attention is required from you. When an ActiveKEY opens one of your iBoxes, you receive a real-time showing notification on your key. (…) Enjoy lots of friendly features including a built-in flashlight and a brightly lit keypad and display window.

Just in case you would like more information about the ActiveKEY, here is a 68 page user guide or 2 pages of FAQ’s.

How much will ActiveKEYs cost?

One thing I noticed at the bottom of the ARMLS announcement flyer is that the Board of Directors has yet to set the renewal dues price for the lockbox keys. But! The flyer does hint at the final number saying it will be between $170 and $180.  Well, I think it’s time to speak up and let your voice be heard.  Let’s help the BOD’s decide where that number should end up!

Stay tuned for the ActiveKEY rollout schedule, it looks like DisplayKEY’s will be a thing of the past by fall.

This message is for all the ARMLS subscribing ZipForm using REALTORS® out there.  Did you know there is a way to have MLS data automatically pulled into your ZipForm contracts and addenda?  It’s all made possible with a tool (provided by AAR at no extra charge) called MLS Connect.  As you might know by now, tools that cost nothing and save REALTORS® time are alright by me.

Unfortunately I’ve heard rumors that AAR has received little feedback about this tool.  My guess is that it’s because MLS Connect is confusing to initially set up. However, once you get pass the initial set up stage it’s off to the races.  So this post will start from scratch, from the very beginning.  If you have never used this tool, this post is for you.

Step 1 – Set RETS Password

Log into flexmls.  We can ignore ZipForms for a minute.  Let’s start in flexmls.

1. Under the main menu option Preferences -> click My Profile
2. Click the last option -> RETS Settings
3. Fill in a password.
4. Done in flexmls.

(While you’re in flex jot down an active MLS number we’ll use for testing.)

Step 2 – Set MLS Connect

Log into ZipForms.  You can either use ZipForm Online or ZipForm Desktop, but in order for Desktop to work it needs a connection to the internet.

1. Click the Forms tab (top left of the page)
2. From the menu -> click Tools
3. Click MLS Connect

A new window will open that asks for your MLS username, password and an MLS number.  THIS IS THE MOST CONFUSING PART. It does not want your normal flexmls password, it wants the RETS password that you just set up!

Once you get your MLS username, RETS password, and test MLS number into the form, click Find.  Right there before your eyes, you should see some of the listing information.  If it’s the correct listing, push Import.  Pushing Import adds the mapped flexmls fields into your ZipForm contracts and addenda for this transaction.  Once you set your username and password the first time, MLS Connect will remember them for you.

The tool currently auto-fills the property street address, city, state, zip, county, lot number, subdivision, parcel number, mls number, list price, listing date, and the listing agents’ information.  Jim Sexton is the ARMLS contact working with AAR and Ziplogix to get additional beneficial fields accurately mapped.

If you’d like to watch AAR’s video tutorial on Step 2, you can find it here.

Happy MLS Connecting!