Thanks to all the Brokers and Office Managers who participated in our Broker Briefing on February 15th. The following is a summary of items covered during that session:
A copy of a Leadership List including 2018 GBRAR Directors, committee chairs, vice chairs, BOD liaisons and staff is available.
A summary of recent Board of Directors actions was provided with these key takeaways:
- We have executed an agreement with RPR, targeting release for end of Q1 2018
- Other implementation projects in the works include making progress on ListHub, a Single-Sign On dashboard, and a HomeSnap Pro agent-directed mobile app.
- Changes to cooperative compensation on a listing will now be exposed in the history records on a listing offering full disclosure as to when cooperative compensation offers are/were modified.
- DSF properties may now be identified as CND subtypes
- Properties offered for sale where land is not part of the transaction may be entered and identified in the MLS using the Lot Description option of “subject to land lease.”
- Per NAR mandate passed 5/17 all IDX displays “shall identify the listing firm in a reasonably prominent location and in a readily visible color and typeface not smaller than the media used in the display of the listing data….”
- A new set of MLS Rules Effective 01/2018 has been posted online.
- View additional BOD actions
CODE OF ETHICS CYCLE 5 ENDS 12/31/2018
Every REALTOR® Member must complete NAR Mandated Code of Ethics training during cycle 5 which ends 12/31/2018. Ethic classes will be offered throughout the year, or they can be completed online. If you have questions about who in your has or has/not completed COE training, please reach out to Debra Bonfanti 225-761-2000 ext 205. She can provide a report.
SUPRA ACTIVE KEY UPDATE
As cell phone providers in our area have begun updating their wireless technology, GBRAR has become aware of a very few cases in which the cell phone bandwidth channels are being updated to channels that the Supra Active Key may no longer be able to communicate with. If you or your agents are having problems with a key that continually needs to receive manual updates, you may be in an affected area. GBRAR is currently working with Supra on a solution however, the simplest solution at this point, is to convert from an ActiveKey to the less expensive eKey which uses your mobile phone’s more modern cell radio to connect.
DATA DISTRIBUTION IN MLS
GBRAR is moving all of our data licensing agreements and contracts online. You can access the contracting system in the MLS by going to RESOURCES > and clicking the link under the Data Licensing heading. From here, Brokers can elect to opt-in or opt-out of data distribution to portals such as ZillowGroup or REALTOR.COM or execute agreements for a host of IDX vendors. Currenlty this feature is available to brokers. Our next step is to make that available to agents as well. Agent agreements will still require broker approval, but the new process is designed to make contracting more efficient and friction-less, speeding up the time it takes for brokers/agents to take delivery of data products/services. CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO ACCESS
GBRAR FORMS UPDATES
During 2017, the GBRAR Risk Management Committee did work on several forms in the GBRAR form library. A set of the changes made to date is available here. Based on several of the comments provided by brokers on the Contingency Addendum package, the document was reviewed again by the Risk Management Committee at their meeting on 2/19 and some additional tweaks to that document are forthcoming. All of these forms are available on MLS Documents, and they are being released in Instanet as they can be coded into that software product. If you have questions/recommendations on forms or forms changes, please notify susan@gbrar.com.
NEW PDD AVAILABLE – REQUIRED FOR USE 3/1/2018
The LREC has also released a new Property Disclosure Document which is required for use beginning in March 1, 2018. For more information on these changes view LREC Website or the LA REALTORS® coverage of these changes.
TECH HELPLINE
As a member benefit, GBRAR Members now have access to a toll-free Tech Helpline that can help answer a variety of tech-related questions CLICK HERE TO ACCESS.
PAC CULTURE
In a year where the legislature is facing a billion dollar budget shortfall, and regulations are expanding it’s vitally important that we all take a part in the political process. As the saying goes, “If you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re probably on the menu.” In 2017, REALTORS® were able to successfully ward off attempts to tax services — including real estate services. We would like your assistance this year in four very specific ways:
- Encourage agents in your office to respond to Calls For Action. Ask them to text the word “REALTORS” to 30644 and they can receive notice on important calls for action
- Encourage them to support the PAC financially. GBRAR currently ranks 7th out of 9 local associations in Louisiana based on the percentage of our members who give $15 or more to support the PAC. There are some fun ways to do that — like offering the opportunity to sign up for a new headshot!
- Come to REALTOR® Day. This rally at the state capitol in Baton Rouge on April 24th is a fun way to take part in a REALTOR® show of force on real estate issues.
- Have us out. We would love to come pay a visit to talk to your agents about the importance of GBRAR’s advocacy efforts at all levels, local, state and national.
