Some of Arizona’s most Successful Agents call John Hall & Associates home.
Monthly Archives: August 2010
Risk Management Videos by AAR
AAR has put together a collection of videos they call their Risk Management Series. You can watch the entire collection here. I pulled my favorite for this post.
If video does not display, you’ll have to login to AAROnline.com to watch.
Once logged into the Arizona Association of REALTORS®’s website you can also watch John Foltz, Martha Appel, Jerome King, Jan Leighton, and Paula Serven share their advice. Thanks to all the volunteers and to AAR for producing this series.
9 Announcements from ARMLS and Flexmls
With so many ARMLS / Flexmls announcements and changes made in the last couple of weeks, I thought I would take a second to summarize them. Everything you need to know, but didn’t know to ask…
1. DND2
When you see this new acronym next to an input field, it means Do Not Disclose or Display to anyone who is not a member of ARMLS. (details)
2. Alarm Codes, Gate Codes, Mech-Box Codes
These are new input fields. They are all marked DND2. Use them, not the Remarks section for these pieces of info. (details)
3. Remarks Choices
You now have 3 options; private, public, and semi-private. Semi-private is for instructions that can be shared with clients, but wouldn’t be used in typical marketing. Examples include anything that could be disclosed at COE or various buyer incentives. (details)
4. MLS Connect
ZipForms and Flexmls now get along better than ever. They have doubled (from 23 to 47) the amount of fields that are mapped from Flexmls to ZipForm. (Read more about MLS Connect.)
5. Pay Your SUPRA Bill
It’s time to head down to an ARMLS Support Center and swap your DisplayKey for an ActiveKey. Yes, they are going to want you to pay the $169 annual renewal fee when you do this. (Support Center Locations)
6. PPI is Looking Up
ARMLS’s Pending Price Index predicts a dip in average and median sales prices in September and October, but then they head back up in November. (details)
7. Flexmls Auto-Emails Expire
Be sure to let your clients know that if they do not open the flexmls auto-search emails for 90 days, the emails will stop. (details)
8. ARMLS Learn-a-Thon
Remember the technopalooza classes that were P-A-C-K-E-D? So does ARMLS. Because of this, they are going to bring you quality classes more frequently. Hence Learn-a-Thon.
9. IDX and VOW Changes
Sellers can now choose whether their listing is displayed on web sites that allow automated values and/or listing comments. REALTORS® can now choose to exclude listings on their web sites based on cooperative compensation. Seasonal Furnished Rentals is now an allowable property type for IDX and VOW sites. (details)
Consider yourself all caught up! 
Scottsdale STAAR Night
I know you have talents outside of real estate. The question is are you ready to bust ‘em out on stage? STAAR Night is a fun charity event for the members of the Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS®. September 22nd and October 20th are open auditions for next year’s show. (flyer)
STAAR night is a really fun evening of entertainment and a wonderful opportunity to see REALTOR®’s “other talents” and enjoy some time together.
We are trying to recruit a bunch of talent to make this as successful as the previous years. Our goal is to raise $100k this year.
The evening is an event to raise money for the HUTCH fund which is a fund that helps REALTORS® who are in financial crisis. The fund will step in to help ease some of the financial burdens of the REALTOR® during the period of crisis.
Take care,
Robyn Robertson
www.robynrobertson.net
Real Estate Broker Meetings – Live Streamed
Over on Wikipedia, they say live streaming means taking video and broadcasting it live over the Internet.
That’s exactly what we tested yesterday morning at the Paradise Valley Broker Meeting… and it worked!! If you logged into the intranet between 8 and 10am, you may have noticed the video on the home screen.
Utilizing ustream.tv, we’re able to live stream our Paradise Valley Broker Meetings so ALL our REALTORS® can participate, not just the ones who can squeeze into the Kiva Room.
Next time, we’re going to move the camera back, repeat questions from the crowd, and be clear on which website is up on the screen so it’s easier to follow along at home. Our next broadcast is scheduled for September 28th at 8:30.
We’ll be sure to remind you as we get closer!
SUPRA and iPhone Together At Last
It is true, SUPRA lockboxes can now be opened with iPhones! Users will need the SUPRA App and an additional piece of hardware (pictured). To sign-up for an eKey and get the piece of hardware, head over to your local ARMLS Support Center.
The eKey service for iPhones is in place of the new ActiveKeys. You wouldn’t use them both – pick one or the other.
To give you an idea of cost, ActiveKeys are $169.52 billed yearly. The Basic iPhone ekey application is $15.37 billed monthly (15.37 x 12 = 184.44) plus a one-time cost for the SUPRA eKey Adapter of $54.95.
Right now the basic service is all that is available, but SUPRA will be releasing a professional service later this year – more about the features.
Thank you Scottsdale Scott for starting the iPhone/Supra conversation on the intranet. To answer your question from the Scottsdale office meeting – yes couples can share the adapter. They have to have individual Apps and iPhones though.
REALTOR® Success Story: Online marketing key to selling home
Typical dialogue between Jim and Phil:
“Did you see the article in the newspaper this weekend?”
“No, but I saw people talking about it on twitter and facebook on Friday!”
That’s exactly what happened with the recent Arizona Republic article Online marketing key to selling home.
This particular article caught his attention because it included 3 REALTORS® from John Hall & Associates (Dru Bloomfield, Leif Swanson, and yours truly) plus Jay Thompson and Don Mertes.
If you didn’t get a chance to read it – check it out! Don’t miss the 5 Questions to Ask Your Agent.
REALTOR® Success Story: Send Video Emails
I recently spoke with Deidre St. Romain, one of our successful REALTORS® in Goodyear, who is using video to communicate with her clients. She called to tell me about the website she uses that does the hard stuff for her.
Necessary Hard/Software for Video Email:
- Webcam (which is built into her laptop)
- Microphone (which is built into her laptop)
- Eyejot.com ($FREE.99 web tool)
When a new client contacts her she’s quick to introduce herself with a custom recorded video message using her free account from eyejot.com. I asked if she would record a custom message for this blog post and she happily agreed.
(if video does not display click here to view)
Before you curse new technology, please be aware we first mentioned eyejot.com on our blog 2 years ago! Once tech tools like this start to surface in the field, I feel it’s good to bring them to your attention again. If you sign-up for an account, feel free to record us a message and paste the link in the comments section!
Thanks Deidre – good lookin’ out!
Intranet Update: Improving Communication Tools
In a continued effort to provide you with (capital A) Awesome back office tools, Bill and I will be running our yearly upgrades this week. There are several pieces to our intranet puzzle and we will be going through each one to make sure we have the latest and most secure versions.
The most exciting piece I’m looking forward to is the Discussion forum upgrade – if all goes well we should have improved REALTOR® to REALTOR® communication by the end of the week. Once the site is back up and running we’ll be sure to explain any changes that have taken place.
Like always, we anticipate the best but plan for the worst. You should too. If you know there will be forms, event details, REALTOR®’s information, quick links, or MP3′s that you need this week please get them now. Just in case an unplanned need arises while the site is down for maintenance – email us (iteam at johnhall dot com) with what you’re after. We’ll do our best to get it to you immediately.
Thanks (again) for your patience,
Phil Sexton and Bill Evans
2 HAFA Classes for CE Credit
HAFA – Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives – August 18th
We have been inundated with information and rules about SHORT SALES for the last two years. Knowing more information about SHORT SALES only helps you become the most informed and knowledgeable Realtor. As well, this helps limit you and your clients liability. Well, just when you thought you had all the information that you need, the government creates a new program to help facilitate modifications, SHORT SALES and foreclosures. This is HAMP and now the big brother HAFA.
I am providing a class on HAFA on Wednesday, August 18th 9:00am – 12:00pm at the SAFEGUARD corporate office. 8454 North 90th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85258. Please RSVP to BRYANJONES@TALONGROUP.biz. This class will provide you with an understanding of what the heck HAFA is and how prevalent will it be in our market in the coming months. As well you will receive 3 CE hours of LEGAL.
I will make every effort to accommodate all who want to attend. If you are not a Realtor and want to find out about HAFA I will be happy to take your name and as the class gets closer let you know of seating availability.
Thank you for always considering The Talon Group- Paradise Valley. Please remember we appreciate the business.
Bryan Jones
Senior Marketing Director
The Talon Group – Paradise Valley
602.510.9351
bryanjones@TalonGroup.biz
Making Home Affordable (HARP – HAMP – HAFA) – August 31st
Learn the latest rules and guidelines in assisting clients to solve their real estate problems.
Presented by David Compton and Westford College
• Negotiate more effectively with Short Sales Lenders
• Minimize the uncertainty of Short Sale Approvals
• Learn how to successfully close more transactions
• Provide additional resources and services to your clients
• Utilize the HARP/HAMP/ HAFA programs to solve problems and work more effectively with lenders on difficult loans
• Learn tangible potential solutions you did not have before
• BONUS….The 12 Commandments on Approaching Lenders on BPO’s, REO’s and Short Sales
Tuesday, August 31st 2010
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Phoenix Association of Realtors
5033 N. 19th Ave • Phoenix, AZ 85015
RSVP by emailing Cynthia Lujan at clujan@ortc.com
Proudly Brought to you by:
Allison Hudgins, Old Republic Title Branch Manager
Cynthia Lujan, Old Republic Title Sales Executive
Office: (602) 996-4301Stacey Gross, Old Republic Home Warranty
Direct: (800) 282-7131 Ext. 1164
StaceyG@orhp.comJohn Rapasky, Counsel Mortgage Group
Direct: (602) 996-4301
John@counselmortgage.com
Best Phoenix Real Estate Blog Contest
Are you sitting down? I have some bad news. John Hall & Associates didn’t win the Best Phoenix Real Estate Blog Contest. However, your votes were not wasted! We are proud to have finished in the top half of the class!
Congratulations to Zillow for facilitating a brilliant contest. Please don’t mind if we borrow the idea at some point.
Congratulations to the People’s Choice Winner (drum roll please) Jay Thompson! I’m not surprised Jay came out on top. His blog is an icon in the real estate blogging world stretching from coast to coast. He is an excellent author. I enjoy the transparency in his articles and the love he shows for his readers. Keep up the excellent work Jay, congratulations on the big W!
Designated Broker Office
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