The concept of Front End of Choice is, quite simply, all about choice. RMLS™ built and operated its own front end, RMLSweb, for the last 20 years. This allows us to shape our own destiny and keep a tight hold on the reins, keeping costs low while also allowing us to respond to subscriber needs in a timely, effective manner.

However, this does not always guarantee that RMLSweb is the perfect answer for each subscriber. Front End of Choice allows a greater amount of flexibility by providing several different ways of interacting with the RMLS™ database. 

Front End of Choice is just what it sounds like — we want to offer subscribers more than one way to access listing tools and features. Brokers purchase tools to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. Front End of Choice allows more variety, more opportunity to stand out and showcase their services to clients. 

We are very excited to offer Paragon MLS as our first Front End of Choice option, so here is a look at what it can do for you.

Background info on Paragon

Paragon is a multiple listing service system designed by Black Knight, a software provider for real estate and other industries. More than 200 listing and affiliate services utilize Paragon nationwide, and both Black Knight and RMLS™ are excited to collaborate on this offering for our subscribers.

Pricing and timing for Paragon at RMLS™

We want to be completely clear: RMLSweb is not going away. Subscribers are not required to use Paragon. RMLSweb is included in the baseline RMLS™ quarterly dues by default. Paragon is an elective option as part of Front End of Choice, not a mandatory change. Subscribers must inform RMLS™ if they want to use Paragon. To opt in, contact the Front Desk and let them know are interested in using Paragon once it is ready.

Black Knight is offering a free three-month trial period of use, beginning the first week of July. Then, beginning in Q4 2020 (October through December), Black Knight will offer Paragon at a discounted rate of $45/quarter. Starting in 2021, Paragon will cost $60 per quarter. Since Paragon is an elective option, this cost is on top of regular RMLS™ service fees.

Making use of Paragon at RMLS™

Beginning the week of July 6, RMLS™ and Black Knight will host hour-long webinars to introduce subscribers to the Paragon front end, to the Paragon Collaboration Center, to Paragon Connect, and to CRS Data’s MLS Tax Suite. These sessions will provide an overview of capabilities and features they provide. In addition, we will release videos, podcasts and other materials to explain Paragon’s many features.

The responsive design is a key factor, one of the main reasons RMLS™ is excited to roll out Paragon for our subscribers. Some online portals work well on a computer but are less reliable on a mobile device. Paragon is equally effective on a desktop, phone or tablet.

Here is a sneak peek at what you will see if you choose to use Paragon:

Please note that each Paragon portal is unique to the MLS that it serves. While other multiple listing services — such as the Willamette Valley MLS — use Paragon, no data sharing takes place between two Paragon systems.

Continue to use RMLSweb Listing Load to Maintain Listings and Photos

While Paragon will appeal to mobile device users — and will seamlessly integrate the Collab Center, CRS Data’s MLS Tax Suite and other features — RMLSweb will continue to be the cornerstone of your listing management.

Listing Load will continue be used by subscribers, whether they opt into Paragon or not. Inside Paragon a button located in the dashboard will take you directly to RMLSweb to manage your listings, including such actions such as:

• Creating a listing
• Adding or editing photos
• Adding open house and broker tour info
• Changing a listing price
• Updating the listing status (active, pending, sold, etc.)

Preparing for Paragon at RMLS™

As we get closer to July, more information will be shared via our weekly newsletter, on RMLSweb Desktop News and elsewhere. Please contact the Help Desk with any questions.

RMLS™ is preparing to release a new look for agent reports on Tuesday, June 16.

Among the most notable changes are information regarding price, beds/baths and total square footage will be at the top of the report, and that showing instructions will be in a text box in the upper-right area of the report.

Thank you for all the feedback about agent reports, and please let us know if there are any other changes you would like to see.

Dear TT,

I have heard rumors about a new MLS system option coming online for RMLS™ subscribers very soon. While I would be the first to admit that RMLSweb frustrates me at times, I never anticipated access to a different sort of MLS dashboard.

I can imagine the concept requires a lot of work to deploy – help me understand why RMLS™ would be doing such a thing and why now?

Interested in Irrigon

Dear II,

Thank you for your question about the Paragon system, which we will release soon (July is when we plan to roll it out). You are correct that this new system requires some heavy lifting, though we believe it is well worth the effort for our subscribers.

Here are some of the reasons:

• Subscriber choice – RMLS™ and its Board of Directors have always focused on providing our  subscribers the best tools, and the best ways to work with their listing data.  As we know, many subscribers come to RMLS™ from other areas where they had a different MLS system, and are frequently telling us “so and so does this aspect better, you should switch to them”.  This model of true front end of choice allows us to put that choice in subscribers’ hands and choose how THEY want to work with the listing data. Paragon will be tied to the same database that RMLSweb uses but will be a completely unique user interface containing some features that we think will be very well received.

• The forward thinking of the Black Knight team; not all MLS system vendors are willing to offer a front end of choice. They want the MLS to switch entirely to their platform before they will work with them, due to their perceived lack of ROI for all the development hours they feel it would take to make this concept work. Black Knight has worked with RMLS™ for years. We’ve shared code with them in the past with our mapping module.  They were willing to give it a shot and dedicate hours of their development team to put the Paragon system in place for us and see how this experiment goes.

Now, we have talked about front end of choice for many years in the real estate/listing service industry. In fact, I can remember all the way back in the early 2000s this concept being discussed at national MLS conferences.

So why has it taken so long to achieve this concept? Here are some details explaining why:

• Standardized MLS data via RESO – Prior to the evolution of RESO (Real Estate Standards Organization) data standards, taking on a new front-end system for an MLS would be a monumental task, as all the data fields would have to be duplicated and reprogrammed and configured to work with a new MLS system and database.  With the evolution of RESO, and the industry acceptance of said standards, we can now push out our data in the RESO format that other system providers can somewhat quickly and easily work with and make these new options available.

As I briefly mentioned above, front end of choice has been a long discussed but never implemented industry idea. RMLS™ and Black Knight are the first MLS / MLS System Vendor team to join up to provide this concept to our subscribers.

To clarify for those who may think RMLSweb is going away and will be replaced by Paragon – that is not the case at all, in fact RMLSweb will continue to be available going forward. You will still use RMLSweb to add and modify listings even if you’ve decided Paragon is your preferred system.

Thanks, Interested in Irrigon, for the great question. Keep an eye on RMLSweb desktop news for more info as we get closer to releasing Paragon.

—TT

Hi TT,

I saw the recent release of the INRIX Drive Time mapping tool in RMLSweb. I have to admit that while I had heard of INRIX before, and understand a bit about the technology, I was not sure I’d ever have use for it in RMLSweb.

Boy was I ever wrong! A day after you folks announced its availability, I got a new client lead that is a doctor moving to Portland, and he said he must live within 20 minutes of his work location and also, ideally, within 20 minutes of the daycare where he wished to enroll his son.

I explained that I have access to a really cutting-edge tool called INRIX Drive Time, and he was quite impressed! I created a search using both addresses and the 20-minute time frames, which helped narrow the number of listings down to homes that would keep him close to work and his child’s daycare.

Really cool! Thank you for adding this feature!

—Thrilled in Tigard

Hi TT (oh, I see what you did there!),

I’m so happy to hear of your success in using the new mapping tool! It really is designed to facilitate the very sort of search you just described. It sounds like you had no problem figuring out how the “Union” and “Intersection” controls work with the Drive Time tools.

For those who may not feel as confident in using the new INRIX Drive Time map functionality, the RMLS™ Training Team has created both a PDF overview and a video overview to walk you through the process.

You also mentioned being familiar with INRIX technology. I find their stuff fascinating, so I poked around on their website and found a great Trip Analytics resource page that is worth reading if you want to really dive into what INRIX can do.

Thanks again, TT; happy searching!

—TT

The INRIX Drive Time feature will be ready for you to use in RMLSweb the afternoon of Tuesday, March 26. This new mapping feature allows you to highlight an area — based on specified addresses and available traffic data — of the map, and see listings that meet your clients’ needs for a reasonable drive from home to work, school, a hospital, a grocery store, etc.

Drive Time is based on typical traffic conditions, rather than actual traffic, which includes nonrecurring activity, such as an accident or construction. With Drive Time, you can analyze the extent of a drive by day of week, time of day and length of journey.

Log into RMLSweb, then follow these steps to create a map that shows listings within your desired drive time between locations:

• Navigate to “Map Search”
• Click the “Locate” field and enter your destination address
• Click “Go” to zoom the map in around a pin at the address
• Click “Draw” and select the “Drive Time” icon
• Enter your desired Drive Time Duration
• Choose either “Arrival Time” or “Departure Time”
• Click the “Calculate” button
• Click “Count” to see listings in the selected drive time area

Additional instructions on how to use Drive Time are available here.

To learn more about INRIX Drive Time and other map search capabilities, contact an RMLS™ Trainer at training@rmls.com to schedule your own personal one-on-one training session. Please let us know if you have any questions!

Dear TT,

In my tenure as a Realtor, I thought cooperation had always been one of the fundamental tenets of MLS — any MLS, not just RMLS™. I’ve tried to read up on the plethora of info that RMLS™ has been providing regarding this Clear Cooperation MLS 8.0 change, but I’m still not 100% sure I understand exactly what the change means.

I’ve heard the terms “pocket listing”, “off-MLS listing” and “office exclusive listing” — what the heck is the difference? I suspect it won’t really affect or alter my business practices, but I’m assuming it may other practitioners depending on how this changes the landscape. Can you help?

—Intrigued in Iona

Dear Intrigued,

Of course I can! Or, I should say, I will do my best to help you and others confused as we adjust to the new rules.

As you stated above, one of the core tenets of MLS is cooperation. That, along with a guarantee of compensation, make up what I consider to be two cornerstones in the foundation of MLS. As the industry has evolved over time, there have been many business models employed, some with greater success than others.

Regardless of their differences, all of the models relied on those two fundamental tenets (cooperation and compensation) via the MLS system. However, throughout the history of MLS, even with the demonstrable benefit to both seller and buyer of sharing listing information within the MLS co-op, there have been real-world reasons to withhold listings from the co-op. Most of those examples were based on seller security/privacy in some way — which is perfectly legitimate.

The problem that arose over time, facilitated in particular by web-based real estate marketing, is the reality that some “pocket listings” (or “off MLS listings” as they’ve been more recently described) were not actually being excluded for privacy reasons. They were excluded out of a desire to capture more of the money available in a transaction — this is clearly not within the framework of MLS rules regarding cooperation.

So along comes Clear Cooperation MLS 8.0, the new policy approved earlier this year by NAR and being implemented by RMLS™ on April 30, 2020. Intending to add clarity to what can and cannot be done by MLS subscribers with exclusions, this is a national change for any MLS aligned with NAR. In some ways, Clear Cooperation MLS 8.0 makes it better for sellers wanting their property excluded from the MLS co-op, in that they no longer experience a 30-day penalty to have their property added to the MLS co-op if it does not sell “off MLS”.

That was a very real deterrent historically that has been changed with this new policy. So, you can still take a “pocket” or “off MLS” listing but the criteria for keeping it out of the co-op has become much clearer.

You mentioned that you have read and watched a lot of info about this change, so this may not be news to you. However, here is a look at key attributes of the new policy:

• Any “public” marketing of the pocket / off MLS listing immediately invokes a violation of the new rule, requiring the listing be added to the MLS co-op within one business day of public marketing.
• “Public marketing” includes (but is not limited to):
  • flyers displayed in windows
  • yard signs
  • digital marketing on public-facing websites
  • brokerage website displays (including IDX and VOW)
  • digital communication marketing (email blasts),
  • multi-brokerage listing sharing networks
  • applications available to the general public
• “Office Exclusive” listings are still possible within the framework of this new rule, but your “marketing” of this type of listing is limited to direct promotion of the listing between the licensees/brokers in your brokerage office, and one to one promotion between these licensees and their clients. In essence, you could share your Office Exclusive listing with the licensees within your brokerage at an office meeting, and they can one to one share with their clients, and that’s it.
• Coming Soon No Showing listings are still possible for RMLS™ subscribers even after the implementation of CC 8.0 (same CSN rules apply as prior to this change).

In closing, thank you for the great question, and for trying hard to stay abreast of this really important evolution of MLS rules. Keep your eye on the RMLSweb Desktop News for more info as this rule change is rolled out.

You asked, and we answered! Mobile devices are so prevalent in real estate that we took steps to modernize our client reports.

Starting on Wednesday, April 8 around noon, we will roll out a new, responsive format for these reports. In other words, they will look clean and streamlined on smartphones and tablets, not just a shrunken version of the desktop view.

The most essential info will be shown right up top, with alternating colors for each section to make for easier reading. Speaking of easier reading, the default text size will be 2 points larger (and in a spiffier font!), which helps when looking at a screen or at a printout.

Take a look at the before and after examples below. Bear in mind, this “new” example is just a mockup…you will see an actual photo when you look up client reports in the future.

We welcome your feedback, so please let us know what you think. If this new look is as popular as toilet paper and hand sanitizer, we might find even more ways to modernize our reporting features.

Thanks for being a loyal subscriber, and stay safe as we continue to flatten the curve!

Dear Technical Terry,

I’m really looking for ways to constructively fill my time with all the social distancing during this pandemic. One of my fellow realtors said they saw some good resources on the RMLSweb desktop page, but I haven’t looked yet. Can you help me out with some ideas?

I’m concerned that what I’m really looking for is a way to ask specific questions about the RMLS™ modules and possibly some third-party software too. How can I do that?

— Bored on Broadway

Hi BB,

I can sure relate to your perspective. It can be challenging to keep yourself busy in a constructive manner (instead of, say, just binge-watching Tiger King on Netflix).

The article your fellow Realtor® mentioned is on the RMLSweb desktop page. I have included the info for you below, including links to various resources for our third-party vendors.

Regarding our modules, the RMLS™ Training team has just launched a new one-on-one training concept called Virtual Classroom! Registration is just like any one of our other courses, and here are Virtual Classroom details:

• Classes are scheduled in one-hour blocks.
• Go to Toolkit → Training Registration to find the option for “Web One on One” in the class scheduler.
• Select this option and the date you wish to meet online, then select from the available times.
• Please include any specifics you want us to focus on in the Comments box, then submit your selected date, time and comments.
• A Trainer will confirm the appointment via email and provide you a link to join the video meeting.
• When connecting to the Zoom meeting, using your computer audio is fine, particularly if you have a headset you use with your computer (this is my preferred way of video conferencing). You may also call into any of the phone numbers provided in the meeting information.

See you online BB!!

RMLS™ Third-Party Partners Training and Support Opportunities 

HOMESNAP

A full calendar of live, self-paced, and prerecorded webinars is available to all RMLS™ subscribers including everything from a Homesnap Crash Course to Finding Seller Leads and can be accessed here. Homesnap also offers a brand-new webinar in the series “Five Tips for Providing Your Clients a Happier Home Search,” which is live at nine different times this week. Last, we have recently completed an overhaul of the Homesnap University Page, which is another excellent resource for all RMLS™ subscribers and includes quick tutorials, printables, and more! 

REMINE

Accessing support and training
content for RMLS™ Subscribers from REMINE has never been easier. Whether it’s
Getting Started with REMINE, the REMINE Mobile App, registering for a Training
webinar or Chatting with the REMINE support team, you can do it all from the
link: REMINE
Training & Support for RMLS™ Subscribers

SHOWINGTIME

During this time of enhanced
awareness of social distancing, using a great tool like ShowingTime to provide
enhanced control over the showing schedule of your seller’s property is
paramount. To learn more about how ShowingTime can work for you and for an
array of ShowingTime support and training options: ShowingTime
Knowledge Base for RMLS™ Subscribers. ShowingTime has also set up
a dedicated page with short videos that describe how to set up and
use live streaming in tandem with ShowingTime. 

IMMOVIEWER

Immoviewer’s software platform
combines automated real estate
video content creation with simple, affordable and scalable 3D 360° tours.
Generate individual listing landing pages from your listing feed and create
Floor Plans without measuring using the fastest & most cost effective real
estate 3D 360° tour software available!

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.

Technical Terry:

Aaaaargh!!!! Does every subscriber have the same issues I do when uploading or reordering photos in the Listing Load Photo Manager? I’ll reorder photos, save my work, then discover that not only was my new order not saved but sometimes the photos disappear! Am I the only one having this issue? What can I do?

POed in Portland

POP:

Not all RMLS™ subscribers are having the issue but you’re not the only one who is. And I’m glad to tell you, today is a new day! Our development team has created a tool you can use if you’re having that issue again.

Behold—the new Refresh button on the RMLSweb Photo Loader!

Here’s how it works: if you’re using the Photo Manager and believe your listing photos have disappeared, reordering hasn’t happened, or are experiencing some other issue, click the Refresh button above the image preview (see above). This will refresh the work done inside the Photo Manager (like refreshing a web browser) and the issue should be resolved.

If you find that this new tool is not resolving the issue, there could be something else at play. One behavior the RMLS™ Help Desk has noticed while working with subscribers is that if someone is uploading a batch of photos and closes the Photo Manager window before processing is 100% complete, using the new Refresh button is not going to magically restore the whole batch.

The majority of Photo Manager issues have been fixed by using the Refresh button though, and that should have a profound impact on you and other subscribers who have been experiencing this issue. If you use it and the issue persists though, contact the RMLS™ Help Desk and they’ll do their best to assist!

Technical Terry

Dear ATT:

I remember hearing a while back that the RMLS™ office in Portland is going to move. When is that move happening? Where will you be?

Roman Realtor

Dear RR:

What a timely question! The Portland office will be moving in just a couple of weeks, but other parts of RMLS™ will see some impacts as well.

First things first: as we reported back in August, the new office location will be in Southwest Portland at 16101 SW 72nd Avenue. The office in Northeast Portland will close its doors at 12:00 PM (noon) on Friday, November 1st. On Monday, November 4th, the office will remain closed, but we plan to be open and available for RMLS™ subscribers on Tuesday, November 5th! We also plan to invite subscribers in for an open house a few weeks after we’ve settled in.

While the office in Portland is in transition, the RMLS™ Help Desk and Front Desk will still be available for questions by phone and via email, as we utilize staff across the region to assist subscribers through those methods.

Once the Portland office has moved, the RMLS™ office in Clark County will close at 12:00 PM (noon) on Friday, November 8th in order to do some office maintenance involving furniture. We’ll still have staff on email and phones ready to assist, and otherwise Clark County REALTORS® are advised to plan to do any office business that morning.

We’ll have up-to-date information posted on the RMLSweb desktop as needed, so don’t forget to check there for the latest!

Technical Terry

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 TT:

I am so frustrated! Ever since Listing Load got updated, whenever I start a new listing and save it as in progress I’ll come back later to finish it, and it’s GONE! Sometimes this happens several times per listing! I’ll then call the RMLS™ Help Desk and they help me see all the in-progress listings I’ve started. What the heck is going on?

Tired in Tigard

Dear TT:

How frustrating! As you’ve experienced when contacting the RMLS™ Help Desk, your listings are still there but the new “filter” option is set with criteria that keeps the listings from appearing on your screen. Let me show you how to access the filter and change the settings.

The filter button is located here on Listing Load.

Notice there are three unique tabs available in Listing Load: Listings, In-Progress, and My Inventory. The filter button gives you unique options for each tab as shown here.

LISTINGS FILTER:

Notice the variety of filtering options you have available! Also note the ability to clear all filter values, and apply the filter values you’ve chosen. Don’t forget “Save Criteria” if you want the filter to retain your choices for that particular tab!

IN-PROGRESS FILTER:

Once again, so many options! Again you’ve got the ability to clear all filter values, apply the filter values you’ve chosen, and and save the criteria to retain your choices for that particular tab.

MY INVENTORY FILTER:

Again you’ve got a cornucopia of options, the ability to clear all filter values, apply the filter values you’ve chosen, and save the criteria for that particular tab.

Since we’re on the topic, I’ve also heard that the RMLS™ Help Desk staff has gotten plenty of calls from subscribers wondering why they can’t edit their listing in the My Inventory tab. The My Inventory tab is simply that: it shows your inventory based on the filter settings you’ve applied. All editing capabilities are performed under either of the other two tabs.

I hope this helps, TT. Just remember, if you’ve saved a listing in progress and it seems to have disappeared when you come back to RMLSweb, check the filter! I’d bet you’ll find a filter option has been chosen that keeps the listing from appearing.

Technical Terry

Dear Technical Terry:

Why do you sign some of your responses “Ask Technical Terry?” Typically, one signs a letter or email using his or her name.

Ward Smith

Dear Ward Smith:

Great question! Indeed—sometimes I use my full name, which includes my first name Ask (from Norse mythology), sometimes I use initials, and in one of the blog posts I reviewed I forgot to sign off at all! I’m so embarrassed. Be assured that these oversights were made in the pursuit of quality content for RMLS™ subscribers.

A. Technical Terry