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Aunt Brenda Sparks FMLS Change
By Carl Martens | April 9, 2008
Title of this post says it all, however the context of Aunt Brenda is in reference to my aunt, Brenda Richterkessing.
During the recent conference Brenda and I attended we were able to connect with two representatives of First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS). In true save the world fashion, Brenda brought to their attention several technology challenges and limitations regarding FMLS. Upon our return from the conference Brenda followed up with the FMLS reps via email outlying several issues and recommended solutions (boy is she good!).
Be sure to give Brenda praise for the following (FMLS response in red):
CLIENT GATEWAY:
- Issue - The set-up process for Client Gateway is cumbersome and too limiting, allowing for only 50 homes to be posted during initial set-up of a client gateway. As a result, agents must set up multiple searches for their clients to cover the number of homes they want to see resulting in more notification emails, calls to the Tech Support help desk for “work arounds” and confusion on the part of the clients. In this buyer’s market with inventories at an all time high, the 50-home limitation is too restrictive.
- Recommended Solution - Increase the limitation for initial search set-up for Client Gateway to be the same limit that an agent has when doing a search..i.e., to 250 homes.
We have requested to increase the number of listings for Client Gateway to 100. After we have run with that for a couple of weeks, we will talk with them about increasing to 150. We will just need to monitor system performance as we have an extremely high usage of the Client Gateway. I don’t have a date yet that the increase to 100 will take place but I will communicate that when I get it.
- Issue - All Client Gateway searches expire after 90 days, regardless of whether or not a client is actively utilizing the tool. For a top-producing agent with a high number of clients and gateways established, the process to extend expiration time periods is labor intensive.
- Recommended Solution - Either develop a process where an agent can “select all” client gateways to renew expiration dates at once, or program the expiration to be 90 days from the client’s last activity on the site. Therefore, a client actively using the gateway will not expire.
Our vendor is rolling out a new version of Tempo (FMLS 1st Connection). We will probably be converting to the new system next year. This functionality will be included in the new system.
IDX PREFERRED VENDORS:
- Issue - The current list of 25 vendors is outdated and does not effectively compete at the level that technology has improved in this area in the last two years. Today’s consumer is looking for IDX capabilities that are integrated with mapping, satellite views, data sorts by subdivision, school, zip code, widgets such as mortgage calculators, mapping of schools/churches in close proximity, etc. In addition they want a user interface that is fast, streamlined and modern in appearance. Tech savvy agents that are targeting internet traffic want strong back office tools, lead forms, and maximum Search Engine Optimization vs. framing.
- Recommended Solution - Re-evaluate the current list and/or loosen the guidelines or expand the number of preferred vendors allowed so that more forward-thinking vendors with competitive features can be added. Consider using an agent “advisory panel” to define such criteria. Note: The approval of softRealty.com, the vendor at the conference, is a positive step in the right direction.
As we discussed, FMLS is extremely conservative in allowing third parties to become an Approved Data Vendor. We do require that they have some experience in offering websites and working with data, even if it is with an MLS in another state. We do constantly evaluate our current list of vendors and add new ones about every 6 months. There is a steady stream of vendors approaching FMLS every week to get data for their products. We are having discussions with softRealty.com but we have not approved them to get data yet.
Issue - Since Client Gateway was introduced, agents are no longer able to set-up “Market Updates” for existing clients to share all activity, including SOLD data, for that Client’s subdivision. Maintaining a relationship with a client after their home has closed is just as important as selling them the house. Removing this capability was a critical business impact to many agents including myself.
- Recommended Solution - Allow for agents to provide clients, set up on Client Gateway, to see all listing statuses including Sold Data. Note: We recognize the concern among many of the brokers for sharing sold data. Perhaps a fair compromise here would be to only allow this data to be shared by an agent who has set up a client specifically to receive it vs. making it available to all IDX vendors.
This is something we have been discussing with our vendor. It is possible that off market properties may be available on the Client Gateway in the new version of Tempo but we have not finalized any designs or set an implementation date yet.
Topics: RETech South, Technology |
