MLS Archives

Trying to figure out how to generate non-dues revenue? Attend our webinar on October 30th
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Trying to figure out how to generate non-dues revenue? Attend our webinar on October 30th

Main category, MLS Insights

Trying to figure out how to generate non-dues revenue? Attend our webinar on October 30th

eCommerce image Many Associations and MLSs today are looking at ways to offset the membership losses of the past few years by generating new revenue other than membership dues. While generating non-dues revenue is a noteworthy and sound objective, it's a lot harder than it looks. While I was at Fisher-Price, I launched the company’s first ever eCommerce program. Since then I have worked with several companies in many business sectors launching their own eCommerce programs. While the Fisher-Price eCommerce division is now one of the most profitable divisions of the company, it did not come without gaining [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:24:49-07:00October 17th, 2012|Main category, MLS Insights|2 Comments

MLS Mobile 2012 – White Paper – What You Need To Know
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MLS Mobile 2012 – White Paper – What You Need To Know

Main category, Reports

MLS Mobile 2012 – White Paper – What You Need To Know

Mobile access to real estate information by both professional real estate agents and consumers is critical, but with few exceptions the real estate technology industry serving our professionals has been slow to react to these mobile needs. We still have MLS products that require you to use Microsoft Internet Explorer to access them and there are still MLSs that don’t have great solutions for using an iPad on the MLS. - Download White Paper Here This white paper looks at where we are today with mobile technology in our MLS industry and hopefully sheds some light on where things are [...]

By WAV Group|2018-05-03T21:24:51-07:00September 21st, 2012|Main category, Reports|2 Comments

Do you really think IE is the only browser out there?

A few weeks ago I gave the state of California gave credit for their proactivity in measuring consumer perspectives on the DMV. They are definitely focused on making the experience of renewing your license more pleasant. Today, I’m going to have to give them a gig them for an issue I found on their website today….sorry guys. I just went online to download some paperwork for a permit I was applying for and I got this screen while using Safari as my browser - ARGGGGHHHHHH! My first thought was “What organization that is designed to service of the needs of [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:24:51-07:00September 20th, 2012|Main category|4 Comments

Microsoft Explorer Threat Alert to MLS
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Microsoft Explorer Threat Alert to MLS

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Microsoft Explorer Threat Alert to MLS

Many of the nation’s leading MLS systems require agents to use the Microsoft browser in order to access the MLS. Although there are plenty of MLS systems that support cross browser capability, not all do – which is where the problem crops up. This issue is an example of the importance of cross browser compatibility in an MLS system. PC World released an article today indicating the following: “If you use Internet Explorer 6, 7, 8, or 9 as your default browser, security experts are advising you to use a different web browser until Microsoft patches a critical vulnerability in [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:52-07:00September 18th, 2012|Main category|3 Comments

Matt Consalvo named as ARMLS CEO

WAV Group is pleased to congratulate Matt Consalvo for his newly appointed role as the Chief Executive Officer of ARMLS in Phoenix, Arizona. Matt was named Chief Operating Officer in May, 2011 and then stepped in as Interim CEO in February, 2012. Matt is a second generation Supra employee He interned for Supra keybox systems in the 1980’s. Later he sharpened his customer service skills in variety of opportunities, including owning his own retail business. In 2003 he returned to GE Security/Supra to administer the Supra Field Offices, joining ARMLS in 2009 when ARMLS took over keybox administration. His passion [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:24:52-07:00September 12th, 2012|Main category|Comments Off

RPR Working to Bridge the Gap with the Mortgage Industry

Dale Ross, head of RPR published a very interesting article today that I thought would share with you about the company's efforts to have a positive impact on the mortgage industry. One of the key goals of RPR is to help improve the accuracy of the valuations of properties by providing more comprehensive, accurate and up to date information. Here it is: Today, RPR is available to the majority of NAR’s REALTOR® members. In 2011, RPR began to place greater focus on the communications and relationships needed to engage the entities responsible for mortgage liquidity. With the support of NAR’s [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:24:52-07:00September 12th, 2012|Main category|Comments Off

How the MLS ‘Language’ May Die
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How the MLS ‘Language’ May Die

MLS Insights

How the MLS ‘Language’ May Die

In many ways, the MLS is like a dictionary. They each contain the language of their respective communities – in a dictionary, these are words; in the context of the MLS, these are listings. The MLS and the dictionary each began as books and have been modernized and digitized to fit the online space. A dictionary does not tell a story, it is merely a set of words. In a similar way, the tools that are layered on top of MLS data give the agent the ability to verbalize data into meaning. The data does not have real meaning until [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:53-07:00August 28th, 2012|MLS Insights|Comments Off

MLS Photo Fail

"A picture is worth a thousand words" is a rather famous old adage that refers to the notion that an idea with complex meaning can be conveyed in a single image. It allows the viewer to experience large amounts of information in a moment, and in doing so - often have an emotional reaction. In real estate, photos are the most powerful and compelling elements of a listing - they are the essence of meaning. Many suggest that without the substance of a photo, you fundamentally do not have a listing. The notion dates back to the days of Aristotle, [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:54-07:00August 28th, 2012|Main category, MLS Insights|8 Comments

Great Companies Execute Effectively

Marilyn Wilson's post yesterday set off a storm. The DMV, known for its historically horrid service experience has changed their ways. They do a good job, at least here in San Luis Obsipo, CA. When WAV Group is providing strategic planning support to an MLS, Association, Technology company, or broker - we measure stuff. There is usually a comparison chart created that shows a checklist of features or service offerings that compares company or product A vs. company or product B, C, and D. This is an important exercise and the information drawn from this type of benchmarking is helpful [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:54-07:00August 16th, 2012|Broker Technology Research, How to Make Strategic Planning Really Work in your MLS, Main category, MLS Insights, Product Management, Strategic Planning|Comments Off

Who Has Better Service – Real Estate or the DMV?

So here’s a good one for you…isn’t the DMV one of those organizations that everyone just loves to hate? These bureaucratic organizations have been the brunt of many jokes over the years. They’re known for their rude and inefficient people and processes, right? I say, not so fast, though. We love to criticize them, but guess what? The DMV in California now sends customer satisfaction surveys out to their recent “guests”. In the California DMV they have implemented a ticketing system that makes it easy to get in and out of the office quickly. Why? Because they listened to their [...]

By Marilyn Wilson|2018-05-03T21:24:54-07:00August 13th, 2012|Main category, MLS Insights, Suveys and Research|3 Comments

Dot MLS on Hold?

The Los Angles Times reported today that ICANN, the international non-profit that manages internet top level domains has indicated that they will not be releasing any new TLDs at this time. If you believe the article, this will stall the efforts of the MLS Domains Associationand the Canadian Association of REALTORS who were hopeful that they would be successful at securing the .MLS domain extension for real estate. (MLS Domains and the Canadian Associaton of REALTORS announced that they are working together). But alas, the news sometimes gets it wrong. Which may be the case here according to MLS Domains [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:56-07:00June 29th, 2012|Main category, MLS Insights|Comments Off

RE Technology Releases 2012 MLS Technology Guide

MLSs seeking to educate themselves and their members about technology, as well as discover sources of non-dues revenue, can leverage this easy-to-use guide. Arroyo Grande, CA (June 2012) – MLSs and real estate Associations face myriad challenges in today’s changing technology landscape. A new guide from leading real estate technology media site, RE Technology, aims to assist them in overcoming these challenges with descriptions of leading tech companies and products. Interested organizations can download the 2012 MLS Technology Guide for free at RETechnology.com. Information in the guide is presented in a clear, concise format. Product categories covered include agent ratings, [...]

By Victor Lund|2018-05-03T21:24:56-07:00June 27th, 2012|Broker Technology Research, Main category, Marketing, MLS Insights, Press Releases, Technology Evaluation|Comments Off