Earlier this month RMLS™ lost one of its biggest supporters. Gary Taylor passed away on September 13, 2017.

Gary was a subscriber since the inception of RMLS™ in 1991. He began his service to the organization in 2003 as a member of the Board of Directors. He continued to guide the organization for the next nine years—through 2011. He was chairman of our Rules Committee in 2005 and 2006. He headed up our Statistics Task Force in 2008 and our Hearings Committee in 2011.

Gary was a pillar of strength during our rockiest times, most notably as the Chairman of the Board in 2009. During his time as Chairman, we were not only in the throes of an economic downturn but our then-CEO Beth Murphy was out on an extended medical leave. In his role as Chairman, Gary led the organization with a stoic determination and his heartwarming sense of humor for which he was famous.

On behalf of all staff here at RMLS™, Gary will be missed more than can be put into words. Our hearts go out to all others who knew him as they will undoubtedly feel the loss.

A celebration of life for Gary will be held at 5pm on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at Edgefield McMenamins Blackberry Hall, located at 2126 SW Halsey St, Troutdale, OR. Memorial contributions can be made through a site set up on YouCaring.

The RMLS™ server room ca. 1996.

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 technology with Greg Moore, RMLS™ Vice President of Technical Systems.

As the 25th anniversary of RMLS™ slides through the home stretch, let’s have a look at 25 years of technological development of RMLS™.

In the early days at RMLS™, all listings were published in large books like the ones shown above. These books were published bimonthly and mailed out to subscriber brokerages.

When the internet was considered “the wave of the future,” RMLS™ evolved in step, at first offering digitized data through a network of terminals called Stellar. These terminals were installed in offices and maintained by RMLS™ staff. RMLSweb was launched in 2001, and the company soon purchased code from a company called HomeSeekers in 2002. Since that time, all RMLSweb development has been executed in-house, with subscribers interacting with this system every day when they log in to RMLSweb.

Greg Moore, RMLS™ Vice President of Technical Systems, has been the lead for coding development at RMLS™ since the original HomeSeekers code was purchased. He originally connected with RMLS™ as a vendor selling MLS software and was later offered a contract position to develop software in-house.

In chatting with Greg, I asked how his team stays ahead of the curve to keep RMLS™ relevant in the swiftly changing tech world. He replied, “I’m like a geek at heart—I read a lot of technology publications but I also have a wonderful set of peers in the industry across the country doing very similar work. About 20-30 of us meet regularly and I have an excellent team of developers at RMLS™ who help us stay current as well.”

Greg noted some of the highlights his team has incorporated over the years, such as the function of drawing on a screen, integrating an overall rich body of information, producing mashups, and creating link sharing. He explained, “it’s important that we evolve with technology and we hope to do so gracefully. We are primarily focused on supporting the brokers and understanding our role in that function.”

Just like transitioning listing books to the internet, lockbox products have had to evolve with the latest technology to stay relevant. This evolution started from a simple lockbox with a key and/or combination to lockboxes that function with Palm Pilots (remember those?) and today’s lockboxes with app connectivity. We’ll even see Bluetooth operated lockboxes in the near future! Throughout these changes RMLS™ has endeavored to keep its subscribership at the forefront of lockbox technology.

Change has the ability to ruffle feathers, as most changes offer challenges, but under the direction of the RMLS™ Board of Directors, RMLS™ strives to offer its subscribers exceptional service with efficient, savvy tools. As Greg put it, “we need to be nimble and unafraid of change.”

RMLS™ has evolved endlessly over the last 25 years—from Dave Koch helping establish the organization to expanding across Oregon and Southwest Washington; from listing books to a comprehensive listing website; from simple to intricate lockboxes. RMLS™ has not only grown in size, but in measure and quality of service it offers subscribers. We’ve learned a lot over the last quarter century and look forward to the next, equally enthusiastic about what lies ahead as we are about our accomplishments and the lessons we’ve encountered along the way.

Thank you for your subscribership—you are, after all, the reason RMLS™ exists!

This year marks the 25th anniversary of RMLS™. Throughout the year, RMLS™ Executive Assistant Angel Johnstone will be writing about topics vital to the 25 year history of RMLS™. This month, she explores the RMLS™ expansion into Lane County with Springfield-area REALTOR® Lori Palermo.

Less than a decade after its formation, RMLS™ began expanding. In the interest of exploring the perspective from a local subscriber in the early years of RMLS™ growth and its relevance in the Lane County area, I caught up with Lori Palermo of Palermo Real Estate in Springfield, OR. Lori, who also serves on the RMLS™ Board of Directors, remembers, “I was on the task force formed by the Greater Lane County MLS to investigate a ‘merger.’ I was skeptical at first, but quickly came to realize and still believe that our joining RMLS™ was the best business decision that the leadership in Lane County has ever made.”

RMLS™ was formed in 1990, serving four associations in the Portland metro area—Clackamas County Association of REALTORS®, Multnomah County Association of REALTORS®, Washington County Association of REALTORS®, and East Metro Association of REALTORS®. As RMLS™ quickly gained footing in the northwestern area of Oregon it was apparent that there was opportunity for growth outside the initial areas served.

In 1999 RMLS™ experienced its first expansion into Douglas County. Shortly thereafter, RMLS™ reached Coos County, an area that had previously been served by five multiple listing services. In that same year RMLS™ was invited to Lane County to provide a presentation of its service platform, becoming a primary service area by 2001. RMLS™ CEO Kurt von Wasmuth comments, “while RMLS™ had been a sort of ‘city MLS,’ it became obvious that the expansion into Lane County solidified RMLS™ as the future statewide MLS.”

In the photo above, former RMLS™ President Beth Murphy holds up the signed agreement to begin RMLS™ service in Lane County.

A little more from my interview with Lori (edited for clarity and length, with her answers in blue):

When did you become a REALTOR®?
October 1993. I was working as a receptionist at my dad’s real estate company part-time and he offered to pay for my schooling if I would go get my license, so I did! Three days after I received my license in the mail, he took me to a Springfield Board of REALTORS® meeting and volunteered me for a committee! I’ve been volunteering with that board since.

Springfield and Eugene are next door neighbors. From your perspective, how is Springfield different from Eugene?
How long do I have? While both have their strengths and weaknesses, I think what separates the two are their politics. Springfield is more conservative, Eugene more liberal. In Eugene the mayor and city council are paid. In Springfield it is all volunteer. I believe that Springfield is more pro-growth than Eugene. The property taxes are typically lower and the utilities more affordable in Springfield. Eugene is about three times larger than Springfield and is home to a major university. The school district and park district are great in Springfield and the citizens really support their public safety professionals. Eugene has had some challenges in that area. Eugene likes to be seen as progressive and internationally recognized, and Springfield greatly values its hometown feel. Springfield’s motto is, “Proud History. Bright Future.”

In what ways are Springfield and Eugene similar?
Both value outdoor space, recreation, travel, and tourism. Both see the value in attracting new business. Both have wonderful bike paths and easy access to the rivers as well as great park districts. Both have the challenge of growth vs. infrastructure, although they handle those challenges very differently.

Do the differences you perceive between the two towns translate to a customized approach to real estate for each?
In some ways. From a buyer’s standpoint a lot depends on their priorities. Do they want to be near the University of Oregon campus? Are they looking for an international high school? That is more likely found in Eugene. Do they want a small town feel with easy access to city staff and leadership? That’s more likely found in Springfield.

RMLS™ expanded its service area to Lane County in the early 2000s. What impact did the new MLS service have on your business?
It had a huge impact! We were still using “the book” which was hard for many veteran REALTORS® to get rid of. By associating with RMLS™ we were given very valuable tools and new technology that were truly cutting edge for us. That is still true today. [The RMLS™] technology professionals are second to none.

Can you speak to the general status of the area market leading up to RMLS™ expansion into Lane County?
The expansion happened as technology was growing everywhere—across the board. RMLS™ just brought the tools that made it easier to see more listings and made exposure more timely. We weren’t waiting for a week or so for our listings to be accessed.

How has Lane County changed from the commencement of your career to recently?
LOTS of growth in business and industry as well as diversity in demographics. We’ve seen a large increase of people from different places internationally and I have enjoyed seeing how those cultures have been embraced.

You have been a member of the RMLS™ Board of Directors for a number of years now, including service as Board Treasurer and your current Second Vice-Chair position. What inspired your service on the board?
I started volunteering on the Service Advisory Committee in the very beginning of Lane County’s relationship with RMLS™. That committee was formed to give a voice to REALTOR® member boards and associations who are not shareholders. It has been a very rewarding experience to come together with representatives of other boards from over over the region to hear about their local markets, their challenges, and their victories. I believe that the recommendations that have come out of that committee have made RMLS™ more aware of the needs of all marketplaces. I have enjoyed serving on the RMLS™ Board of Directors and being a part of decisions made to better our industry as a whole.

Has participation on the RMLS™ Board of Directors made an impression on your experience as a RMLS™ subscriber?
Yes. It has helped me see that no decision made by the board is ever taken lightly. The steps taken when a decision needs to be made—whether it is a change in lockboxes or an addition to the features on RMLSweb—all ideas and opinions are heard before a decision is made.

What is your favorite feature of RMLSweb?
My favorite feature is the addition of OREF to the full listing. It saves a lot of time when I’m ready to write an offer. I am so proud of all the technology that Greg [Moore] and his team bring to our organization.

If you could give one piece of advice to your industry colleagues, what would that be?
I would give the same advice that my dad, a real estate broker for 40+ years, gave me at the beginning of my career. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Always do the right thing, whether or not you think it will benefit you.” Best advice ever.

I am so proud of my association with RMLS™. The leadership truly has the best interest of each subscriber in mind every single day. Our technology department is constantly looking for new and innovative products and processes to make our jobs easier. The quality of service we receive from the RMLS™ Help Desk is outstanding. When I travel to real estate conferences around the country it is clear that RMLS™ is cutting edge, subscriber driven, and second to none. I have very much enjoyed every moment of my association with RMLS™.

What a great place to leave off, as I will be discussing technology at RMLS™ in my next piece. Thank you, Lori, for allowing me to put you in the spotlight and taking the time to chat with me for this blog series!

New Home Source Professional unveiled a site overhaul this week. The new site, which was the result of feedback from working REALTORS® across the country, introduces several new tools for RMLS™ members to find new homes and communicate with clients about them.

Here are five features worth checking out:

Multiple Search Options
On the refreshed New Home Source Professional site, filters and sorting have been improved. Select multiple cities, ZIP codes, or school districts. You can even search within a map! Users will have multiple search result options including list, map, or photo view, with quick previews.

Saved Listings, Saved Searches, Listing Reports
When you find new homes or communities that you like, save them! You can save the listings, save the search, or download and print PDF reports for each property.

Your Own New Home Website
Enhance your brand as a local new home expert with a branded consumer portal. This serves as both a way to communicate with clients and attract new buyers. Free!

Drive More Leads for Your Business
Potential home buyers can visit your consumer portal (free!), search new homes, then interact with you directly. Integrate it into your current website, email signature, and social media accounts to generate new clients.

Track All Client Activity

Which actions are your clients taking? You’ll know exactly what they’re doing on the site and can respond with timely, helpful communications. Net result? Efficient use of time for both you and your client, from initial engagement through a home purchase.

Sound exciting? Connect to New Home Source Professional via the link in the left-hand sidebar on RMLSweb or by navigating to Toolkit and clicking “New Home Source.” Search for a perfect new home for your client today!

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 25^th 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.

Are your doors wide enough for a wheelchair? View a tour of an accessible house in Virginia. (Photo courtesy of Fairfax County, VA via Flickr)

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.

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.

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.

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!

RMLS™ subscribers are diverse in their talents and immensely interesting, and we like to spread the word by spotlighting individuals now and again. Adam Sarancik (GRI, ABR) was recently one of our Subscriber Satisfaction Survey winners! Adam works at The Meadows Group, Inc., REALTORS® (Westside office). We asked Adam to tell us a little more about himself:

How did your real estate career begin?

It began 22 years ago with the Lutz Snyder Co. in Tualatin, Oregon. I was very lucky because the office I was in had a branch manager and a group of brokers who were extremely dedicated and talented. They were great role models. I also taught at the Lutz Snyder Training Center for three years.

What do you enjoy most about being a REALTOR®?

I enjoy turning initial realtor-client relationships into lifelong friendships. I have made friends with so many amazing people who are truly inspirational to me.

A particularly interesting property you sold:

Many years ago I was the buyers’ agent for a home in Beaverton. The home was in excellent condition and rightfully so, the seller had an extreme amount of pride in his home. He absolutely refused to allow us to have a home inspection, telling us adamantly that there was absolutely no need for one. After a week or so of very delicate pleading and negotiation, he very reluctantly agreed to allow us to do the home inspection as long as the home was spotless when we were done, that we started exactly at 1:00pm, and we were gone by 3:00pm, when he would promptly return.

Well, about an hour or so into the inspection I smelled something burning, an electrical fire kind of smell. The home had a heat pump, so we shut it down as well as all of the electricity in the home.

When the homeowner returned promptly at 3:00pm, not only were we not gone, there were three fire trucks and the fire chief’s car parked in front—the entire property was surrounded by yellow tape.

Getting that deal to close was one of the best negotiating jobs I have ever done.

Everyone has a secret talent. What’s yours?

Most of my adult life, I have coached youth sports: baseball, basketball, and soccer. I have coached at Jesuit, Canby, and Westside Christian High Schools. I have also written a book, published this year: Coaching Champions for Life: Coaching the Whole Person, Not Just the Athlete.

Thanks, Adam! We will be spotlighting our other two survey winners in the coming weeks.