Things are progression well with the transition into the new MLS system. Our very own Frank Serio, who was elected to serve on the Bright MLS board, has been invited to attend the T3 conference with a select few. He will represent Bright MLS and bring back valuable information for both the Association and Bright MLS to assist with the advancement of the industry.
We also know that you have questions and our goal is to keep you as up to date as possible along the way. This month we are including the top 3 questions that Bright has been receiving. If you have any questions about Bright MLS, please let us know at info@scaor.com.
What’s happening now? Next?
Support teams from MRIS and Trend are combining. In early April 2017, you can dial a new toll free phone number for them, and when you do, you’ll hear “Welcome to Bright MLS! How may I assist you?”
Development teams are busy mapping MLS listing data from nine different MLSs into one format; they are collecting the required public records for 150 jurisdictions, and building the new Bright MLS system – a broad ecosystem of robust property information and analytics to power your real estate business.
When will I be able to search the new Bright footprint?
Not quite yet. 2017 is a year of transition. As you read this, we are preparing the new system for data entry. Later this year we will begin converting all participating organizations to that system. We anticipate you will be using the new Bright system by 2018.
How much will the new system cost me?
This consolidation has afforded us the opportunity to freeze licensee fees through 2017, so you won’t see an increase in that fee this year. By 2019, fees for subscribers of Bright who are members of a participating REALTOR® Association will transition to $35. Subscribers who are not members of participating REALTOR® Associations will pay a higher fee, $53 per month, after a similar gradual transition. This higher fee reflects and honors the risk and investment that participating Associations took to make Bright a reality.
As always, we are here to support our members as much as possible during the transitional period. Please let us know how we can help.
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” -Arthur C. Clarke
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Thank You,
Benjamin Kunde
Network Administrator
Sussex County Association of REALTORS www.scaor.com
Bright Leadership Update: March 2, 2017
The Leadership Update is a regular summary of Bright business events, designed specifically for Association leadership. It will provide decisions made by the Board of Directors, updates that affect subscribers, reflections on industry events and information on Bright as a company
Planning and Work Continues to Align Information for the Bright Market
Members of the Bright Team have been working in the Central Pennsylvania market to better understand the needs related to MLS information and property classes in this market. The team met with representatives from Keystone, RAYAC, and Greater Harrisburg and discussed how to best align this information. These meetings and work are important to understanding the market needs and planning for the upcoming conversions to the new Bright System.
Additional Officers Elected to Our Board of Directors
The officers who will join Jon Coile in the leadership roles of the Bright Board of Directors have been selected. They include:
Joan Docktor, BHHS Fox & Roach – Vice Chairman
Jack Fry, RE/MAX of Reading – Secretary
Cindy Ariosa, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. – Treasurer
Bright 2017 Government Affairs Program
Bright is implementing a grant program to support stakeholder association government affairs programming. The program will assist with the costs associated with developing, maintaining, or expanding the local government affairs efforts.
Details of the program are being finalized and will be available soon.
Time flies by so quickly that we don’t always pause and celebrate the great stuff that happened in a year. Do you remember everything that happened at SCAOR in 2016? Check the video to find out!
Governor John Carney on Thursday announced plans to meet and engage with members of the public on Delaware’s budget challenges during a series of “Budget Reset” Community Conversations.
Doug Devitre will be visiting SCAOR on November 18. Doug is in the National Association of REALTORS® Business Specialties Hall of Fame. He holds the Certified Speaking Professional Designation from the National Speakers Association. We hope you won’t want to miss this valuable FREE seminar.
If the success of your business depends upon your ability to communicate, influence, persuade, or present ideas that solve problems, you need to harness the power of screen-to-screen technology to help you get the job done-faster, more efficiently, and more affordably.
Doug promises you show you how to:
Boost sales, performance, and customer experience- without being physically present
Choose the right technology for the right job and the right budget
Prepare the best visuals for every transaction, every client, every time you connect
Find the highest-rated apps, software, and online services – at the lowest price possible
Visually demonstrate value that only you can provide – in a way that makes you stand out from the competition
Conduct meetings, train employees, coach teams and give presentations that captivate audiences – and seal the deal EVERY TIME!
Over the past year, SCOAR leadership has been attending Bright MLS Vision Team meetings to consider joining a more expansive MLS. The new MLS is a merger between MRIS and TREND combining 36 combined REALTOR® Association shareholders in six states plus the District of Columbia (not-for-profits and for-profits).
A copy of the August 30 Bright MLS presentation is enclosed as a PDF. Lastly, attached to this letter are a technology summary of what SCAOR members will receive if the Board votes to join Bright MLS.
The timeline to consider joining the new MLS is as follows:
August 8 – October 26 Bright MLS was referenced in several emails (At-A-Glance, Blogpost/SCAORCast and SCAORcard) to members and discussed at two MLS Committee meetings
August 30 Participant meeting (this meeting was scheduled before the deadline was changed to execute an Agreement from October to December 31)
September 27 Board meeting to discuss Bright MLS
October 3 General Membership meeting where Bright MLS was discussed
November 9 (1:30 pm) Information meeting with Bright MLS rep. and SCOAR CEO
November 17 (9:00 am) Board meeting (tentative vote to join Bright MLS)
The deadline to execute a Service Agreement is December 31, 2016.
As CEO, I anticipate that the Board will discuss and/or vote to join Bright MLS at the November 17 Board meeting. The goal up to that point is to inform the Participants and Members of the benefits and challenges of joining within the next two months. President Frank Serio and I, including Bruce Plummer who has attended all Bright MLS Vision Team meetings, are available to answer questions at any time.
Financial Impact
Yes, there will be a nominal financial impact to SCAOR. MLS fees are anticipated to increase and revenue is anticipated to decrease. There are options to mitigate the loss of revenue.
Summary
To summarize, the Board is interested in hearing Participants and Members opinions of joining a more expansive MLS. Within MLSEvolved.com you will find everything you need to review the new MLS including a map of the new service area and informational videos from the leadership team.
1. Entry fee $100 per car (includes Driver & Navigator).
2. Driver & Navigator After Party fee is included in registration.
3. Prizes are awarded to the first four cars to return in the fastest time and closest mileage to the SCOAR Chair’s official mileage count.
4. No short cuts are allowed,all entrants must follow the clue list.
5. No GPS or mobile devises can be used.
6. Each car registered will get a set of clues to follow the day of the event, apprx 5 minutes before they are able to leave.
7. Entrants are encouraged to decorate a theme on their car and have a cheering pit crew.
8. Cars will be divided into to groups, A & B and released accordingly.
9. In the case of a tie, the team that collects the most donations at the event will be declared the winner.
After party – $25.00
Sound like a blast? It’s going to be. Click here to sign up and join us!
Welcome to SCAORCast, your ultra-fast download of everything Sussex County Association of REALTORS®. Here’s what’s happening for this week. (Check our show notes at the bottom of this page for easy access to all of these links.) Our thanks to the PCA’s Summer Social for sponsoring this episode.
SCAOR was featured on DelmarvaLife recently, where our very own President-Elect Brigit Taylor hung out with WBOC’s Lisa Bryant and talked the merits of owning a home in Sussex County. Listen in as they discuss why choosing a REALTOR® is important to the home-buying process.
Questions? Comments? Talk back to us and let us know. We’d love to hear from you. (And be sure to subscribe in iTunes, and never miss an episode again!)
Welcome to SCAORCast, your ultra-fast download of everything Sussex County Association of REALTORS®. Here’s what’s happening for this week. (Check our show notes at the bottom of this page for easy access to all of these links.) Our thanks to Women’s Council of REALTORS® for sponsoring today’s episode.
This Week’s Show Notes & Links:
Tomorrow there is a Sign Ordinance amendment before Sussex County Council on at 10am. This proposed amendment has significantly negative impacts upon your business. SCAOR is holding a position of opposition to this amendment. If you haven’t already responded to the call to action, You may do so now by clicking here.
One Question with a staff member: “What are some of the essential tools for a REALTOR® to have in their technology toolkit? And what’s ahead?”
Questions? Comments? Talk back to us and let us know. We’d love to hear from you. (And be sure to subscribe in iTunes, and never miss an episode again!)
