PROView - February 2009 - (Page 7) accurate. Data must be refreshed every three days. They must maintain a method to receive comments about the accuracy of any information added beyond the data supplied by the MLS, and must correct or remove false data upon receipt of feedback explaining why any specific data is false. They are, however, not required to remove information that reflects good faith opinion, advice or professional judgment. Changes in the MLS “PRO Biz, the subsidiary of the Pinellas Realtor® Organization that oversees the operations of the Suncoast MLS, became VOW compliant on January 26, 2009,” said Ann Guiberson, President and CEO of the Pinellas Realtor® Organization. “While we had no choice in the matter, we certainly believe many brokers and agents will take advantage of this opportunity to improve their marketing efforts and service to consumers,” she added. Staff has created a VOW reference tool with VOW rules, an FAQ, and forms to license the data for use on a VOW. The Suncoast MLS along with all multiple listing systems throughout the nation were not the only ones charged with the task of making changes in order to comply with the new virtual office website policy. The Florida Association of Realtors® recently announced the amendment of eight new listing agreements. A list of VOW resources from the Suncoast MLS, the Florida Association of Realtors® and the National Association of Realtors® is available below. Is this Good News? Today’s real estate consumers want to be involved in the process of buying and selling a home. Buyers look for information beyond the active data; they want access to any information that will help them gain a better sense of the local real estate market and any specific area they’re interested in. They want accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date information; many from the comfort of their homes. In recent years consumers have had access to an ever-growing number of non-broker, third-party property information resources. Because of the more comprehensive and timely information brokers now are able to provide consumers through virtual office websites, consumers may be less likely to spend time on non-broker websites that offer less information. By providing the information consumers request, brokers and agents will solidify their relationship with their customers, and that is good news. Got Listingbook? Good News: You’re VOW Compliant Are you interested in a new level of online services? If you’ve signed up to use Listingbook, you already are close to having a virtual office website. “PRO was really ahead of the curve when the association partnered with our company in 2007,” said James Barry, President and Chief Operating Officer of Listingbook, a client servicing system provided for free to the association’s members. Listingbook gives members access to highly interactive client management tools through which agents can monitor when consumers use the system, which properties they’ve viewed, properties they’d like to know more about or rejected, and which properties they may have asked questions about. Listingbook has the capability to allow brokers and agents to give consumers with whom they have an established relationship VOW level data. But, Barry points out, Listingbook isn’t by itself a VOW. “While Listingbook is the engine behind the VOW level data, our service has not provided consumer-facing websites.” According to Barry, over 60% of PRO members currently have a Listingbook account, servicing over 20,000 consumers. For more information on how to get started with Listingbook, click here. Should You Consider a Virtual Office Website? For many, the addition of a virtual office website may be a suitable expansion of services. It may be a viable compliment to IDX for some, and it certainly provides an expansive platform through which additional information can be given to consumers. On the other hand, many may not want to add the registration routine and other administrative details required to operate a virtual office website. The decision on whether to operate a virtual office website should be based on how it fits your particular business model. VOW Resources Suncoast MLS VOW Rules Frequently Asked Questions VOW-IDX Participant Agreement PINELLAS REALTOR® ORGANIZATION February 2009 7 Florida Association of Realtors® Amended Listing Agreements National Association of Realtors® VOW Policy http://pro.listingbook.com http://pro.listingbook.com http://mlsanswers.tampabayrealtor.com/pages/VOW http://www.realtor.org http://www.floridarealtors.org http://mlsanswers.tampabayrealtor.com/UserFiles/File/VOW/Suncoast_MLS_VOW_MLS_Rules_and_Regulation.pdf http://mlsanswers.tampabayrealtor.com/UserFiles/File/VOW/VOW_policy_111308.pdf http://www.floridarealtors.org/LegalCenter/HotTopics/formRevisions_VOW.cfm http://mlsanswers.tampabayrealtor.com/UserFiles/File/VOW/VOWFAQsFinal%2012-2008.pdf http://mlsanswers.tampabayrealtor.com/UserFiles/File/VOW/090204_PRO_Participant_Data_Access_Agreement.pdf
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PROView - February 2009 PROView - February 2009 Contents Chairman’s Notes Feature Story PROActive Marketplace Analysis Home Sales Report MLS Update Mind Your Manners Calendar of Events & Programs Brokerage Design Marketing PROView - February 2009 PROView - February 2009 - PROView - February 2009 (Page Cover1) PROView - February 2009 - PROView - February 2009 (Page Cover2) PROView - February 2009 - Contents (Page 1) PROView - February 2009 - Chairman’s Notes (Page 2) PROView - February 2009 - Chairman’s Notes (Page 3) PROView - February 2009 - Feature Story (Page 4) PROView - February 2009 - Feature Story (Page 5) PROView - February 2009 - Feature Story (Page 6) PROView - February 2009 - Feature Story (Page 7) PROView - February 2009 - PROActive (Page 8) PROView - February 2009 - PROActive (Page 9) PROView - February 2009 - PROActive (Page 10) PROView - February 2009 - PROActive (Page 11) PROView - February 2009 - Marketplace Analysis (Page 12) PROView - February 2009 - Home Sales Report (Page 13) PROView - February 2009 - MLS Update (Page 14) PROView - February 2009 - Mind Your Manners (Page 15) PROView - February 2009 - Mind Your Manners (Page 16) PROView - February 2009 - Calendar of Events & Programs (Page 17) PROView - February 2009 - Brokerage Design (Page 18) PROView - February 2009 - Brokerage Design (Page 19) PROView - February 2009 - Marketing (Page 20) PROView - February 2009 - Marketing (Page 21) PROView - February 2009 - Marketing (Page Cover3) PROView - February 2009 - Marketing (Page Cover4)
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