A Glance at 2016 RMLS™ Subscriber Satisfaction Survey Results

A Glance at 2016 RMLS™ Subscriber Satisfaction Survey Results

by | Oct 20, 2016

rmlssubscribersatisfactionsurvey

Our subscribers have spoken, and RMLS™ will be poring over every comment in the coming weeks. Over 2,700 subscribers took the 2016 RMLS™ Subscriber Satisfaction Survey, doing their part to voice their opinions and help us guide the organization into 2017.

This annual survey is crucial in the RMLSweb development process, as subscriber feedback can lead to RMLSweb improvements the following year. Data from the survey also helps set priorities for the organization as a whole, identifies areas of improvement in each department, and acts as an overall indicator of how the organization is performing.

Detail-oriented subscribers may have noticed the rating system change from a five-point to a ten-point scale this year. This was at the request of the RMLS™ Board of Directors. While this change eliminated the safety of a “neutral” option, doubling the number on a past survey response offered an easy way to compare results from previous years.

How did RMLS™ fare in this challenging year? Let’s have a look at a couple of key questions.

OVERALL SATISFACTION

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RMLS™ subscribers rated their overall satisfaction as an 8.4. Adjusted for the new rating system, the overall score on this same question in 2015 was 7.6.

Opinions about every single survey question varied wildly, and this big question was no different.

Comments:
“RMLS™ always does a great job responding to my questions or problems.”
“Better than it’s ever been, but still not rockin’ it.”
“Very friendly staff, just a bit costly to me, being a new agent.”
“If I was more familiar, it would be more valuable.”
“I would like to see more ‘appraiser friendly’ search options.”
“Perfect service.”
“I am a member of three other MLS services and RMLS™ is head and shoulders above them all.”
“Darn close to invaluable.”

RMLSWEB PROJECTS THAT HELPED YOUR BUSINESS

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RMLS™ released several improvements to RMLSweb since the previous survey. Few of these changes impacted all 13,000 subscribers the same way, but taking metrics gives us information on where RMLS™ got the most bang for its development buck.

Ten projects were listed, with the scores ranging from 7.1 to 8.9. Topping the list at 8.9, the clear winner was the new RMLSweb photo loader, capable of loading up to 36 images for each listing. Listing View Counts Emails followed with an overall score of 8.4. Increasing the frequency of auto-emails placed next on the list at 8.2, with prospecting notification frequency and roster improvements both landing at 8.0.

OREF/zipForm integration showed up at 7.8 and RPR single sign-on at 7.7. Next, RPR flyer integration and the new RMLSweb mapping system tied at 7.3, with the new photo watermarks closing the list at 7.1.

In 2015, RMLS™ listed four system improvements, with ratings (adjusted) ranging from 6.6 to 7.0.

Comments:
“I hate to admit that I didn’t know about most of these, but am looking forward to learning more about them!”
“The new mapping system is nice!”
“The new mapping tool is okay.”
“Not a fan of the new maps.”
“Anything new in regards to photos/logos/editing is always helpful.”
“I love the increase in photo count!”
“The photo watermarks are great, the virtually staged is helpful too.”
“These questions make me think I need a class as I am not using half of the improvements.”
“While these features sound good, the implementation of them is often clunky.”
“Almost none of this has anything to do with appraisers.”
“LOVE the watermarks – super handy for new construction/purposed homes!!!!!”
“RPR is fabulous! So glad to have it as an additional tool for my use!”
“I think RMLS™ has done a good job, and I appreciate the changes.”
“Thank you!”

THIRSTING FOR MORE?

Respondents were sometimes open about their lack of knowledge about RMLSweb. Perhaps they were unfamiliar with the full suite of features or had no idea an improvement had been made that might make their day go easier.

If you’re wanting more education about RMLSweb, our trainers can help! RMLS™ trainers are constantly teaching subscribers the finer points of RMLSweb in one of the RMLS™ offices, online, and even on the road! Contact the RMLS™ trainers at (503) 236-7657 to discuss your needs and set up an appointment.

 

Now that the big picture is taken care of, each department at RMLS™ will start digging deep into individual responses over the coming weeks. If you completed the survey, you might hear from us! We frequently contact subscribers to answer a question or clarify a comment before moving forward.

Subscribers who helped us out with this crucial survey by giving us your thoughts, thanks again! We hope the results will help us shape RMLSweb over the next year to make it even better.

A Glance at 2016 RMLS™ Subscriber Satisfaction Survey Results

Ask Technical Terry: Office Exclusives, RMLSweb Roster Photos

by | Sep 29, 2016

AskTechnicalTerry

Ask Technical Terry is a series RMLS™ aims to offer once a month. RMLS™ subscribers will drive the content—submit any question about RMLS™ to Technical Terry in the comments or by emailing communications@rmls.com. Don’t be shy—we won’t identify you by name.

Dear Technical Terry:

Can you tell me when I need to submit an Authorization to Exclude from MLS Addendum to RMLS™? I recently sent in a form and later learned it was unnecessary.

NRVOUS

Dear NRVOUS:

rmlsauthorizationtoexcludeaddendumDon’t be afraid, you’re not the only person who has sent this form to us in error. It sounds like you’re familiar with the changes we recently made to the form, so you’re already ahead of the game.

If you have a signed contract and are not publishing the listing within 72 hours but still do want to market the property before that time, the Authorization to Exclude from MLS Addendum (Document #1260) is required. Complete the form and send it to RMLS™ within 72 hours of signing a listing contract.

There are other scenarios that would require this document to be completed as well, but it can be confusing. RMLS™ is here to help! Contact RMLS™ Data Accuracy at (503) 236-7657 or write us an email if you’re ever unsure about whether your situation requires submission of this form.

 

Technical Terry:

Why did RMLS™ redo the Office Exclusive form? As my uncle always said, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…

Donald in Sutherlin

Hi Donald—great question. My uncle always used to say time heals all wounds. He died of an infected bedsore at the age of 76. But I digress…

I reached out to our Data Accuracy expert Vallerie Bush for more information about the story behind the new Authorization to Exclude from MLS form.

Vallerie reports that the name of the form itself was changed to better reflect what the form is being used for: when a seller is choosing to exclude their listing from RMLSweb. This could be the duration of the listing contract or a shorter length of time.

The look of the form also changed a bit, but the content is pretty similar. After each paragraph, the seller is asked to initial each point reflecting their understanding of each.

What’s the big idea behind these changes? The committee wants sellers to be informed about the value of listing their property on a multiple listing service, and precisely what they’re opting out of by signing the form.

Finally, Vallerie points out that because the title of the form changed, the RMLS™ Rules and Regulations and listing contracts for Oregon and Washington were also updated to reflect the new title.

Does that help, Donald? If you’re looking to dig deeper, we do have a FAQ document on RMLSweb about the Authorization to Exclude changes.

 

Hello, Technical Terry:

The other night I was checking out some Agent Fulls on RMLSweb and clicked on the listing agent’s name. A box came up with the agent’s name, contact information…and their photo! How did they get their photo to display on the report?

Peanut Butter and Jelly Jacqueline

Hello PB+JJ:

It sounds like you may have missed the RMLSweb roster improvements we made back in January. Uploading an agent photo as part of your roster information is so simple, you might be embarrassed when I tell you how to do it. Navigate to User Preferences—get there by clicking on your name on the upper right corner of RMLSweb.

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Choose the tab on the left that says “My Photo.”

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Then click Browse to select the photo file, and click the Upload button to finish. Voilà! Your photo will appear whenever agents click your name in an Agent Full or search for your roster information.

We’d love to see a sea of friendly REALTOR® faces on RMLSweb, so get that photo uploaded! Thanks for your question, PB+JJ.