by RMLS Communication Department | Apr 7, 2016
This year marks the 25th anniversary of RMLS™. Throughout the year, RMLS™ Executive Assistant Angel Johnstone will be writing about people who have been vital to the 25 year history of RMLS™. This month, she explores the early days with one of the RMLS™ founders, Dave Koch.
After over a year of research, planning and organization, RMLS™ opened its doors for service May 1, 1991. Seasoned REALTOR® Dave Koch had been managing an office with Coldwell Banker in Oregon City when he took a six month leave of absence to focus specifically on the budding organization. At the request of other local brokers, he became the first board chairman for RMLS™.
As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of RMLS™ service throughout 2016, it is a great time to reflect upon the challenges and success RMLS™ has met over the years. Where better to begin this retrospect than at the beginning?
In 1990, Portland area REALTORS® found space and opportunity in the MLS market to create an MLS fashioned by the REALTOR®, for the REALTOR®. The project to create this new MLS was spearheaded by Dave Koch, who I had the opportunity to sit down and visit recently.
I had some questions about how and why RMLS™ was formed. Dave told me that “in the early 90s there was a lot of merging of REALTOR® organizations” and that the time was ripe for a new type of MLS in the Portland neighborhood. Dave lead the undertaking of the new MLS assembly with support from the existing four area association boards; James F. Sherry and Associates, Inc., a hired consulting firm; and invaluable legal counsel from Steve Russell. (Fortunately for RMLS™, Steve Russell continues to be our legal counsel to this day.)
The initial objectives of the new system were to 1) make it better, 2) make it more cost effective and 3) make it ours (REALTOR®-owned). Dave explained the vision, saying “we defined the plan, the organization, that it would have a board of directors made up by brokers and sales people, and so the policies directly developed by the organization would be from brokers and salespeople, predominately brokers.” This sentiment is established in the RMLS™ founding mission which states in part, “this MLS must be sensitive to the needs and desires of the membership and must be made operational with a minimum of disruption of service. The MLS must conduct its business affairs in such a way that the MLS remains a viable contracting entity, capable of effectively representing its membership…”
Dave remembered, “it was very competitive for awhile and basically towns won’t support two multiple listing services so we knew we had to get to the majority or we would fail. So I was out making calls to the different brokers, big brokers and small brokers, and doing presentations around all four of the boards.” He said the new MLS was well received and there was wide support early on reaching about 50% of the subscribership in the first few months. It didn’t take long for RMLS™ to gain footing in the local market as it was molded and crafted to specifically answer the needs of its subscribers.
Following his year of service as board chairman, Dave has continued subscribership with RMLS™ to this day. He is currently a Principal Broker out of RE/MAX in Canby, sometimes even greeting clients in the front office, in order to stay involved and in tune with all aspects of the process. He remains quite active within the profession having served the real estate industry since 1976!
Stay tuned as we explore the evolution of RMLS™over the last 25 years—from books to electronic listings, area expansion and growth—keeping in mind the core mission of functionality and affordability for its valued subscribers.
by RMLS Communication Department | Apr 7, 2016
This year marks the 25th anniversary of RMLS™. Throughout the year, RMLS™ Executive Assistant Angel Johnstone will be writing about people who have been vital to the 25 year history of RMLS™. This month, she explores the early days with one of the RMLS™ founders, Dave Koch.
After over a year of research, planning and organization, RMLS™ opened its doors for service May 1, 1991. Seasoned REALTOR® Dave Koch had been managing an office with Coldwell Banker in Oregon City when he took a six month leave of absence to focus specifically on the budding organization. At the request of other local brokers, he became the first board chairman for RMLS™.
As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of RMLS™ service throughout 2016, it is a great time to reflect upon the challenges and success RMLS™ has met over the years. Where better to begin this retrospect than at the beginning?
In 1990, Portland area REALTORS® found space and opportunity in the MLS market to create an MLS fashioned by the REALTOR®, for the REALTOR®. The project to create this new MLS was spearheaded by Dave Koch, who I had the opportunity to sit down and visit recently.
I had some questions about how and why RMLS™ was formed. Dave told me that “in the early 90s there was a lot of merging of REALTOR® organizations” and that the time was ripe for a new type of MLS in the Portland neighborhood. Dave lead the undertaking of the new MLS assembly with support from the existing four area association boards; James F. Sherry and Associates, Inc., a hired consulting firm; and invaluable legal counsel from Steve Russell. (Fortunately for RMLS™, Steve Russell continues to be our legal counsel to this day.)
The initial objectives of the new system were to 1) make it better, 2) make it more cost effective and 3) make it ours (REALTOR®-owned). Dave explained the vision, saying “we defined the plan, the organization, that it would have a board of directors made up by brokers and sales people, and so the policies directly developed by the organization would be from brokers and salespeople, predominately brokers.” This sentiment is established in the RMLS™ founding mission which states in part, “this MLS must be sensitive to the needs and desires of the membership and must be made operational with a minimum of disruption of service. The MLS must conduct its business affairs in such a way that the MLS remains a viable contracting entity, capable of effectively representing its membership…”
Dave remembered, “it was very competitive for awhile and basically towns won’t support two multiple listing services so we knew we had to get to the majority or we would fail. So I was out making calls to the different brokers, big brokers and small brokers, and doing presentations around all four of the boards.” He said the new MLS was well received and there was wide support early on reaching about 50% of the subscribership in the first few months. It didn’t take long for RMLS™ to gain footing in the local market as it was molded and crafted to specifically answer the needs of its subscribers.
Following his year of service as board chairman, Dave has continued subscribership with RMLS™ to this day. He is currently a Principal Broker out of RE/MAX in Canby, sometimes even greeting clients in the front office, in order to stay involved and in tune with all aspects of the process. He remains quite active within the profession having served the real estate industry since 1976!
Stay tuned as we explore the evolution of RMLS™over the last 25 years—from books to electronic listings, area expansion and growth—keeping in mind the core mission of functionality and affordability for its valued subscribers.
![How to Use the Accessibility Field on RMLSweb]()
by RMLS Communication Department | Jul 2, 2015
Would you know how to look for a home for a client who uses a wheelchair? Do you know how to identify accessible features when listing a home to market them to a wider audience on RMLSweb?
July 26th is the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a piece of legislation crafted to eliminate discrimination against people with physical or mental conditions that may require accommodations. Last week, an educational forum organized by the Portland Metro Association of REALTORS® (PMAR) explored the intersection of real estate and accessibility—from looking at how a brokerage can improve accessibility in the office to the perspective of a local REALTOR® who uses a wheelchair.
Today we aim to educate RMLS™ subscribers on how they may use RMLSweb more effectively in both the listing and buying processes.
The Accessibility Field on RMLSweb
Accessibility has been addressed on RMLSweb for years, with the Accessibility field being regularly reviewed and developed by the RMLS™ Forms Committee. Over the years this field has been expanded to include wide parking spaces, stair assistance, roll-in showers, and more.
The Devil’s in the Details
How wide must a doorway be to be marked as WD-DOOR? Specificity helps REALTORS® do their job, so prospective clients don’t arrive at a property to find the listing inadequate for their needs—perhaps sporting a dangerously steep ramp or a ‘wide’ hallway where a wheelchair can’t turn.
Document #1211 on RMLSweb, Accessibility Term Definitions, defines minimum standards for each accessibility feature. REALTORS® listing a property should verify the specified measurements on each feature before marking the appropriate field in RMLSweb.
(We also include the accessibility terms on Document #1210, Listing Abbreviations, but this document only unravels abbreviations without specific details about each feature.)
In the Thick of Listing or Searching for a Property?
If you’re listing a property using Listing Load, click on the linked text that says “Accessibility” for a pop-up window with full definitions.
Searching for properties for a client? In Advanced Search, select the Accessibility field and then click the Help link for full definitions.
Incorrect Data? Let Us Know!
What if, as a buyer agent, you show a listing that don’t quite meet the standards outlined on the definitions document? Report the listing to RMLS™ using the Report Issue button! Our staff will contact the listing agent to get things ironed out.
Have any suggestions for improving how RMLSweb communicates a listing’s accessibility? Submit a suggestion to the RMLS™ Forms Committee by contacting Christina Smestad.
by RMLS Communication Department | May 5, 2015
John Van Loo passed away on April 23, 2015, leaving a substantial hole in our real estate community. RMLS™ joins his family, friends, fellow REALTORS®, and co-workers at RE/MAX Equity group in mourning his loss. John served as a valued Director on the RMLS™ Board of Directors for eleven years. He joined the board in 1994 for his first term which ended in 1996, and then rejoined in 2004, serving through 2011.
John was the Chairman of the Board in 2008, and gently guided RMLS™ through a difficult year. Our then CEO, Beth Murphy, was out on an extended medical leave through much of the second half of the year and the recession was was making itself felt. Budgets needed to be pared. In all, John served RMLS™ on the Executive Committee for five years from 2005-2009.
Like so many people, I was a personal recipient of his wonderful nature. In the year John was our Board Chairman, I was meeting him for dinner at the end of a long trip to the NAR mid-year meetings in Washington, DC. Arriving at the restaurant to meet him, I foolishly left my wallet in the cab and it sped away. Nothing could have exceeded the kindness and practical help that John and his family provided. My wallet was miraculously returned, but I never forgot that glimpse of John’s true humanity.
Kurt von Wasmuth, our RMLS™ President and CEO, was appointed Acting CEO during John’s chairmanship in 2008. In his words, “John was a dedicated leader that helped guide RMLS™ during a time when we needed him the most. He will be sorely missed.”
A celebration of John Van Loo’s life will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at Abundant Life Church in Happy Valley, OR.
by RMLS Communication Department | Oct 31, 2012
The Pacific Northwest gets a lot of rain, and stormwater runoff can be challenging to manage. Many cities in the region are starting to build green street facilities in residential areas to reduce the risk of flooding and provide other benefits.
The City of Portland recently released a guide for REALTORS® and homeowners called “Buying or Selling a House with a Green Street Facility.” The guide outlines basic information about these facilities, including how to report a need for maintenance.
Additionally, the caretakers of these facilities remind REALTORS® and homeowners of the following:
• Place “for sale” signs in yards rather than green street facilties or between curbs and sidewalks.
• Inform clients that green streets are publicly owned stormwater management facilities.
• If a green street facility near a property on the market needs maintenance, contact the City of Portland.
Facilities like these exist outside of Portland as well—REALTORS® in other areas may equally benefit from reviewing these materials.
by RMLS Communication Department | Oct 24, 2012
The spotlight continues to shine on some of our REALTOR® subscribers this week! Meet Tim Sellers, who works with Barb Sellers and Associates Realty in Fairview, Oregon. Tim, who specializes in residential resale, was another one of this year’s Subscriber Satisfaction Survey winners.
How did your real estate career begin?
I’m a third generation real estate agent. I thought I’d just give it a try, and 24 years later I’m still trying.
What do you enjoy most about being a REALTOR®?
I like working with people, no matter who they are, where they’re from, or what their world view is.
Tell me about a particularly interesting property you sold.
Well…it’s more the people than the properties that are interesting, and I probably shouldn’t say any more.
Everyone has a secret talent. What’s yours?
I can make a bubble sound that always makes babies smile. And for the older kids, I made great paper airplanes.
Thanks, Tim!
