![Housing Market Recovery by the Numbers]()
by RMLS Communication Department | Aug 7, 2013
Click to enlarge
The RMLS™ Inventory Today chart on the desktop of RMLSweb showed that total sales volume for a twelve month period topped $12 billion on July 16th this year. The last time the sales volume was at that level was almost five years ago on September 8, 2008, with volume still on its way down to its low point reached in 2011.
While prices are currently increasing rapidly, they still have a way to go to reach their previous levels. The $12 billion volume in 2008 required only 39,456 sales at an average price of $304,443. The number of sales represented by the $12 billion this year was 46,901 with an average price of $255,942.
The housing market recovery has encompassed all of the RMLS™ market areas in Oregon and southern Washington to varying degrees, which the monthly Market Action reports demonstrate. Momentum is accelerating!
![Housing Market Recovery by the Numbers]()
by RMLS Communication Department | Jul 25, 2013
Ever wanted to search for listings in multiple locations at the same time? Starting August 1st, users will be able to do that and more when RMLS™ rolls out an improved map search on RMLSweb!
New features of map search will invite users to create multiple shapes on a map, find a location by ZIP or address, view listing locations easily on a map, and more. This new map search tool will also utilize Bing Maps, completing our transition to Bing.
Here is a rundown of the changes:
Basic Map Search
When using map search on RMLSweb, users will now be able to draw multiple shapes on the same search map (at right). Each shape can be adjusted and deleted independently. Searches using two or more shapes will find listings in all of the map shapes. (Search results will still be limited to a maximum of 500 results.)
To adjust the side(s) of a shape, click and drag the edge. To delete a shape, click the X icon on the shape itself, or click the X button at the top of the map search to clear all shapes. A small box in the map search screen will help remind you how many shapes appear on your map.
Clicking “Count” at the top of the page will not only return the number of listings that meet the outlined criteria, but those listings will now be visible on the map in the form of location dots. Blue dots represent listings with the selected criteria that fall inside the selected map range(s), and gray dots represent listings with the selected criteria outside those range(s).
Clicking “Count” at the top of the page will now also save your search criteria.
Furthermore, the text box at the top of the map search screen can now be used to center a map on either a ZIP or full address! Street numbers entered alone will be treated as a ZIP code, so don’t forget to include city and state information. And don’t forget to add a comma before the city name (for example: 8338 NE Alderwood Rd, Portland OR 97220)
In addition to a standalone Map Search, this tool will also be embedded in Hotsheet, Open House, Broker Tour, and Actual Expireds. Advanced MLS will have a few additional features…
Advanced and Prospect Searches
Advanced Search and Prospecting searches will feature a new page layout due to the new map search. Area/Map Range will be moved further right on the interface, presenting the map when “Map Range” is selected.
Clicking on other criteria in these searches (price, year built, etc.) will present a pop-up box over the map (at right). Select criteria or click “Cancel” to access the main screen again.
If you’ve clicked “Count” and an error occurs (“ERR“), the space below the box further explain the error. A polygon that intersects itself may create search errors, for example.
Prospect searches already saved in RMLSweb should work as is with no adjustment needed for this updated search screen.
As always, users experiencing difficulty with the new map search or who have questions should contact the RMLS™ Help Desk at (503) 872-8002 or helpdesk@rmls.com.
RMLS™ is excited about the capabilities of this improved map search feature, and know our subscribers will benefit from these improvements!
![Housing Market Recovery by the Numbers]()
by RMLS Communication Department | Jul 17, 2013
RMLS™ staff is constantly working on ways to improve RMLSweb, either by improving existing features or adding new ones. In July, subscribers will see the following improvements to our system…
Bing Maps Coming to CMAs
As of this evening, the Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) tool on RMLSweb will allow setting the map point for the subject property using Bing Maps! This is one of the final pieces in our conversion to Bing, meaning a CMA subject property map will now sport the enhanced map performance and graphic look found elsewhere on RMLSweb.
Office Email Designation
Principal brokers will now have the ability to set an officewide email address to appear on all listings that originate from their brokerage.
In order to set up your office’s email address, navigate to Toolkit in the RMLSweb navigation bar and click on “User Preferences.” Select the “Company Email/Logo” tab, and fill in the email field at the top. (Don’t forget to save!)
Office email information will appear in both the office roster and in the Agent Full and Data Only reports on RMLSweb.
Coming Soon: New Map Search and More!
We’ll be rolling out a new map search interface on RMLSweb. Watch the RMLScentral blog for more information in the coming weeks!
And don’t forget, as the year continues we’ll be working on our biggest project of the year, full browser and tablet compatibility!
Subscribers seeking assistance with these changes or any other RMLSweb features may contact the RMLS™ Help Desk for assistance by calling (503) 872-8002, emailing helpdesk@rmls.com, or by clicking the chat button on the right sidebar of RMLSweb.
All of us at RMLS™ hope subscribers will appreciate these improvements to RMLSweb!
![Housing Market Recovery by the Numbers]()
by RMLS Communication Department | Jul 3, 2013
RMLS™ subscribers got an easier way to communicate with us about data inaccuracies when the Report Issue button (above) was added to the bottom of all Agent Full reports during our RMLSweb system improvements in January.
Since it was released on January 30th, more than 2,000 issues have been reported (averaging about 400 per month)!
If you haven’t yet explored this feature, when the Report Issue button is clicked a form pops up with the listing number and other identifying information already filled in (right). There is a menu of 12 options that can be selected.
Look below to see how the options ranked in the number of reports we have received.
Other is partly a catch-all of general inquiries, but one category that comes up frequently is corrections to the Comparable Information section for sold listings. We have even received compliments for the listing agent in this category. We were thrilled to read this issue report:
Please let the listing agent know what a great job she did on this listing. All the information is there that I need to help my client.
Vallerie Bush and Wanda Kennedy make up the RMLS™ team that ensures all reported data inaccuracies get resolved, and they are enthusiastic about this boost for RMLS™ data accuracy. (In addition to responding to issues reported through the Report Issue button, they field many phone calls and emails.) Wanda says:
I have only heard good things regarding the rules button. The subscribers say it saves them so much time. When they see something wrong with a listing they can send it in right then and there. I think it was a great idea!
Vallerie adds,
It is faster and more convenient to send a rules violation to RMLS™. I like it because it usually has most of the information needed when processing.
Keep the reports coming! Accurate data helps all of our subscribers and the buyers and sellers they serve.
![Housing Market Recovery by the Numbers]()
by RMLS Communication Department | Jun 13, 2013
RatePlug is now available to all RMLS™ subscribers!
RatePlug is a free service that allows homebuyers to view real-time mortgage products, payments, and other mortgage details specific to each property they view on RMLSweb. Read about RatePlug’s benefits.
When you sign up for RatePlug, what changes will you see on RMLSweb?
• A new “Client Full — RatePlug” option is now available in the drop-down list of available reports on each listing.
• Nearly every listing will show mortgage information to clients, based on the listing’s information.
• Subscribers who sign up for RatePlug can update their auto-email prospect profiles to utilize the new “Client Full — RatePlug” report.
To do so, go to “Prospecting” in the RMLSweb navigation bar and click on “Prospect Profiles.” Click on the name of a client to receive the RatePlug report. Click on the down arrow to the “Report:” field in the “Auto Email Information” section and select “Client Full — RatePlug” report. Then click “Save” at the top of the page.
Remember—RMLS™ subscribers pay no fee for this service, and you may work with lenders you’ve already established relationships with. Enroll for RatePlug on RMLS™ today!
by RMLS Communication Department | Jun 6, 2013
RMLS™ subscribers will have free access to RatePlug starting in mid-June!
RatePlug is a service that allows homebuyers to view real-time mortgage products, payments, and other mortgage details specific to each property they view on RMLSweb. The information is provided by lenders you currently work with and trust. Your customers can interact with the information to zero in on the mortgage program that fits their unique financing needs.
RatePlug also lets your lender prepare detailed, co-branded marketing flyers in seconds that contain property details, property images, your photo, your company logo, as well as mortgage details for your open house events.
The program will be available to RMLS™ subscribers at no additional cost. Lenders are required to pay a license fee to participate.
Features:
- No additional cost for RMLS™ subscribers
- Principal broker or broker selects up to three lenders they want displayed
- Principal brokers can promote in-house lending companies
- Provides customers with valuable mortgage product and payment information while they view each listing (keeping them engaged with your listing rather than searching elsewhere for rates)
- Customers can customize the display to fit their personal financing needs
- Strengthens your referral relationship with your trusted lending partners
- 100% FTC-MAP compliant for recordkeeping and disclosure
- Learning new technology unnecessary—once you enroll, you are done
- Your lender can create detailed, co-branded marketing materials in a matter of seconds
A study of 49,000 purchase transactions in MLS markets across the country showed that properties that featured RatePlug went from listed to contracted 23% faster. Currently, over 50,000 real estate professionals have access to RatePlug, and utilize it on over 500,000 properties per month, seen by 120,000 homebuyers.
Enroll in RatePlug by visiting their website!
