Recycle Your E-Mails As Informative Blog Posts

Too busy answering e-mail to blog? Kill two birds with one stone. Even though e-mail is supposed to be quick, easy, and convenient, chances are you spend a good portion of your day keeping up with your inbox.  If you’re investing the time to craft informative responses to potential buyers and sellers via e-mail, why not let the rest of the world benefit from that work?

Consider recycling a few of your e-mails as blog posts. For example, pick messages that include good questions from clients along with the response that you send them, publishing them as a “Q & A.”  (Just be sure to delete any names or contact information!)  Chances are several people will have the same questions, and by publishing them on your blog, people seeking those answers will be brought to your blog by search engines.

Periodically tapping into your e-mail will not only help you meet your blog quota for the week, but it’ll also ensure that your blog is also current and topical, addressing real issues your clients are currently facing.

Final Billing Reminder and Holiday Notice

Our office will be closed on the Independence Day holiday,
Friday, July 3, 2009
Normal Office hours will resume on Monday, July 6, 2009.

 ______________________________________________________________________________________

Final Billing Reminder!

Absolute deadline for billing change requests is Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 3:00 PM
Please contact us by this deadline, if you would like any changes to your billing.

  • If you need to change your payment account information, please click on this link for the Exhibit C – Pre-Authorized Payment Agreement.  Print and complete this form, sign it and fax it to (808) 524-6874.  Please note that your broker does not have to sign this form if you are only changing your account information.
  • If you need to change your payment frequency, please notify us by one of the following methods.
    -Call HIS Accounting at 1-800-628-3121, ext. #454, or
    -Send an email to Accounting@HawaiiInformation.com or Deb@HawaiiInformation.com

Once your credit card is charged or your account is debited, there will be no refund.  It is Participant’s (PB, BIC or DR) responsibility to insure that all of  his/her fees due and those of his affiliated associate and support subscribers are paid by the 10th day of each month or service may be interrupted to the entire office on the 11th day.  If any of Participant’s associate subscribers is not able to pay for his/her fees, the Participant has the following options.

  • Release the agent, placing their license inactive with DCCA, and provide a copy of the release form to HIS.  The agent’s signature is not required.
  • Loan the agent sufficient funds to pay the fees due.
  • Pay the fees due on behalf of the agent.
     

Participant is responsible for managing the roster for his/her office.  Fees will continue to be billed for each of his/her affiliated subscribers until the DCCA form is received by HIS.  As always, we appreciate your cooperation.  Mahalo!

NOTE:  The due date for submitting DCCA change forms notifying us that you have placed your license inactive or have surrendered your license was on June 25, 2009.  We cannot terminate current MLS service and billing without the DCCA change forms.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Waiver Applications/Renewals are also due!

Waiver applications are due by Tuesday, June 30, 2009.
 
Do you have licensed agents, assistants, or other staff that qualify for an MLS Waiver? Waiver applications and renewals are DUE NOW! Please read this important information about waiver applications.

Waiver applications for the July 2008 to June 2009 period will be automatically expiring on June 30, 2009. Anyone who is under waiver and want to continue accessing the MLS service under a waiver application must submit a new waiver application by June 30th of each fiscal year. This affects all licensed support subscribers, property managers and time-share agents. Waivers are also required for each partner or officer, director or shareholder who has a license, but does not engage in sales activity. Click here to obtain the Waiver Application form.
Please fax the Waiver Application forms to 1-888-628-3121.  Should you have any questions, please call 1-800-628-3121, ext #454, or send an email to Accounting@HawaiiInformation.com  or Deb@HawaiiInformation.com
 
Please note that Waiver Applications are subject to HIS Board of Directors approval.

______________________________________________________________________________________
Normal Office Hours: Monday – Friday:  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 

In case of emergency……

You may leave a message in our emergency voice mailbox by calling the main office number and pressing * (star).  Leave your message and your contact information and our phone system will notify our on-call staff that there is an emergency message.  Call 1-800-628-3121, if calling from the neighbor islands or 599-4224, if calling from Oahu.
 
Hawaii Information Service
Dole Office Building, 680 Iwilei Road #777, Honolulu, HI  96817
Phone:  1-800-628-3121, if calling from the neighbor islands, 599-4224, from Oahu
Fax:  1-888-628-3121, if faxing from the neighbor islands, 536-4699, if faxing from Oahu
www.HawaiiInformation.com 

July Online Training Schedule

Below are the online classes scheduled for the month of July.  To sign up immediately, simply click on the links below.  Space is limited so please RSVP soon!  If you are going to participate/watch as a group, only one person needs to sign up. 

Remember, after you have participated, please make sure to fill out the survey or e-mail me your feedback so we can continue to improve upon our training efforts!  Mahalo. 

July 1st to 4th

Basics: Thursday, Jul 2, 2009 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM HST
Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/775604042 
 
Customizing & Downloads: Thu, Jul 2, 2009 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM HST
Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/578008706  
 
Searching & Formats: Wed, Jul 8, 2009 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM HST
Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/153720426

July 5th to 11th

Update CMA, Farming, Labels & Roster Download: Sat, Jul 11, 2009 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM HST
Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/232075250  
 
 
July 12th to 18th

Prospecting, Contacts & Calendar: Wed, Jul 15, 2009 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM HST
Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/330830163
 
Basics: Thu, Jul 16, 2009 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM HST
Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/222938386  
 
Customizing & Downloads: Thu, Jul 16, 2009 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM HST
Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/764147427  
 

July 19th to 25th

Prospecting, Contacts & Calendar: Thu, Jul 23, 2009 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM HST
Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/826181106
 
Maps: Fri, Jul 24, 2009 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM HST
Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/270538794  
 
Searching & Formats: Sat, Jul 25, 2009 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM HST
Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/280518898  

July 26th to 31st 

Update CMA, Farming, Labels & Roster Download: Wed, Jul 29, 2009 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/761857202  

Basics: Tue, Jul 28, 2009 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM HST
Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/797029379  
 
Customizing & Downloads: Tue, Jul 28, 2009 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM HST
Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/460379027  
 
Maps: Thu, Jul 30, 2009 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM HST
Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/830466691  
 

Instructions on how to register for the above webinars:

  • To register, please click onto the applicable link located below the class.  The link will then take you to the registration site.
  • Please complete all the required fields marked by a red asterisks (First Name, Last Name, Email Address, Phone, Organization AKA Office Name). 
  • Click “Register Now” to complete the registration process.  Once registered a confirmation email will be sent to your email address to confirm your registration along with a unique web ID number and instructions on how to login to the session on that day. 
  • If you need login assistance, please feel free to contact our Customer/Technical Support team at (800) 628-3121, press # and then 457. 

System Requirements

  • PC-based attendees – Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista
  • Macintosh®-based attendees – Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

Questions? Comments?  Please feel free to e-mail me at erin@alohaliving.com or call directly at (808) 748-8759.

Released: REsearch Version 4.2.3

Below are the updates and changes that make up REsearch Version 4.2.3:

Emailed Links

The ability to provide listing information via e-mail is a useful one, but there were often problems in how the e-mail reports were formatted. Given the wide variety of e-mail clients out there (and their inconsistent standards support), the data was frequently jumbled or simply unreadable.

As of REsearch 4.2.3, the system will instead provide a simple, custom link.  The recipient only needs to click that link to be taken to the property information you prepared for them, presented exactly as expected in any web browser. 

Note that these links to custom information will expire after 30 days. If clicked after expiration, a message will direct people to contact you, the original sender.  This will ensure recipients are always viewing current data and will encourage them to keep in touch with you, as well as conserve space on our servers. 

This approach opens up even greater possibilities with future REsearch development. For example, we’ve plan to support greater interactivity with the listing information presented, such as allowing clients to rate properties and to easily send notes and questions about properties directly to you. 

With this first step, we look forward to further enhancing agent/client communication down the road. 

Property Reports

Next to Public Records and Listings you’ll see a new icon – report_16.jpg

This new icon will take you to a list of other important property information.  We plan to keep expanding this list with more and more great information we find.  Currently it will offer the following:
 
flag_16.jpg Sex Offenders (By Zipcode) – If you’re working with a family,  safety is extra important.  This information can assist in helping you to find them the perfect home.
census.jpg Census (By Zipcode) – Great information for providing your client statistics.
bing.jpg Bing Maps (Formerly Virtual Earth) – This will flag your property on Bing Maps.  You can do so by using the address or by the X / Y coordinates.
google-earth.png Google Maps – This will flag your property on Google Maps.  You can do so by the address or by the X / Y coordinates.
 
IE 8 Compatibility
 
We have fixed some more issues regarding IE 8 that our users were experiencing.  We should be fully IE 8 compatible now; please inform our Customer Service staff if you run into any issues.
 
Updated Forms
 
Many Hawaii Association of Realtor (HAR) forms have been updated and should now be current.
 
New Training Page
 
The schedule for our live, online, instructor-led webinars can now be found inside REsearch, under the REtools menu. Register for classes in advance to receive e-mail reminders.
  

Additional Items of Note 

Fixed…

  • An issue with REsearch email program not accepting underscore characters in addresses.
    Fixed Short Sale Calculations on the Closing Cost Estimate Calculator.
  • An error with the Rent vs. Buy calculator.
  • A problem with Vacant Land pulling properties with structures.
  • An error users were experiencing while loading photos.
  • An issue with logos causing ‘Page Cannot Be Displayed’.
  • An issue with map rubber band tool not working with TMK accounts.
  • An error on the brochure format when there were no map coordinates to show.
  • The name searching on the PVL Licensee search.
  • Member accounts where customizing email address was not working.
  • An issue with the contacts tab not displaying properly.
  • Missing middle name in roster.
  • An issue with taxbill street address not working properly.
  • An issue with missing sales information on Market IQ
  • The Map Error which Aerial image was not toggling off.
  • An issue that allowed agents to reports sales under future dates.
  • An issue with the New Parcel/CPR search function not working properly.
  • The office association order when reporting sales on multiple listing/selling agents.
  • The Script Error when resending prospect emails from the contact history.
  • An issue where Sales were not ordering by date on TMK records. 
  • An issue where some users were receiving a ‘Page Cannot Be Displayed’ when trying to login to REsearch.

Changed…

  • “Foreclosure” to “Pre-Foreclosure” for better understanding.

Added…

  • New search option ‘Search Condo Guide’ allowing quick and easy searching for Condo Guides.

Updated…

  • The Rules and Regs document in REsearch
  • The Condo Guide Reports
  • The Sub-division list
  • The Webinar Schedule

Maintenance Alert – June 26

We will be transferring some of our servers currently located at a remote location to the HIS offices on Friday, June 26, 2009, from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. While this transfer takes place, access to the Bureau of Conveyances (BOC) documents, videos, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) will not be available.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Customer/Technical Support Team by calling 1-800-628-3121, or send an email to TechSupport@Hawaiiinformation.com.

Bugs Be Gone!

Bugs are bound to happen, given Hawaii’s temperate climate, paired with the fact that most of us don’t live in sealed, air conditioned homes. Be it ants, cockroaches, termites, you name it, chances are you’ve come across critters at some point, be it in your own home or that of your clients.

When it comes to buying, selling, or just day-to-day island living, keeping bug populations at bay can sometimes prove to be difficult.  You probably have home remedies for keeping pests at bay, and chances are you also have a number of people you can call on for termite inspections, fumigations, and other related services.

So take a few moments to pen a blog entry about your knowledge and experience when it comes to the creepy-crawly set.  And don’t forget to include any additional bug-related information you might have as it pertains to the process of buying or selling (for example, how to keep your home pest free if it is going to be vacant).

Happy Bug-Free Blogging!

HIS Bulletin: Announcements & Reminders

For the Kamehameha Day Holiday, our office will be closed tomorrow Thursday, June 11, 2009.  Normal office hours will resume on Friday, June 12, 2009.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
JULY BILLING & WAIVER REMINDER

Aloha Brokers and Agents
Important Billing Announcment

Next billing for credit card and ACH customers is Wednesday, July 1, 2009  
(Payments by check are also due Wednesday, July 1st)

If you are placing your license INACTIVE, or if you are surrendering your license, we must receive a copy of your DCCA change form.  We request that changes be submitted to us 4 to 5 business days prior to the billing date, so please send your form(s) in by Wednesday, June 24, 2009 to assure that your changes will be processed before the billing on July 1, 2009.  Once we charge your credit card or debit your account, there is no refund.

Please contact us before billing occurs if you would like to make any changes to your billing.

If you need to change your payment account, please go to this link:
Exhibit C – Pre-authorized Payment Agreement

Print and complete this form, sign it and fax your new Exhibit C to (808) 524-6874.  Please note that your broker does not have to sign this form if you are only changing your account information.

If you need to change your payment frequency please notify us, by one of the following methods:
a) Call HIS Accounting: 1-800-628-3121, ext. #454, or
b) Send an email to Accounting@HawaiiInformation.com or deb@hawaiiinformation.com

It is the responsibility of the PB to insure that the fees that are due are paid by the 10th of each month or service may be interrupted to the entire office on the 11th.  Each PB must be responsible for his/her own agents.  If an agent is not able to pay his/her MLS fees, the PB has the following choices.

  • Release the agent, placing their license inactive with DCCA, and providing a copy of the release to HIS.  The agent’s signature is not required. 
  • Loan the agent sufficient funds to pay the MLS fees due.
  • Pay the fees due on behalf of the agent.
  • The PB is responsible for managing the roster for his/her office.  Fees will continue to be billed until a DCCA change form is received by HIS.

As always, we appreciate your cooperation.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Also……….
WAIVER APPLICATIONS/RENEWALS ARE DUE NOW!

Do you have agents, assistants, or other staff that qualify for an MLS Waiver? Waiver applications and renewals are DUE NOW! Please read this important information about waiver applications.

Waiver Applications for the new fiscal year period from July 2009 through June 2010 are due by June 30, 2009.

Waiver applications for the July 2008 to June 2009 period will be automatically expiring on June 30, 2009. Anyone who is under waiver and want to continue accessing the MLS service under a waiver application must submit a new waiver application by June 30th of each fiscal year. This affects all licensed support subscribers, property managers and time-share agents. Waivers are also required for each partner or officer, director or shareholder who has a license, but does not engage in sales activity. Click here to obtain the Waiver Application form.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Administration Notes
Normal Office Hours

Monday – Friday:   8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
 
In the event of emergency ….
you may leave a message in our emergency voice mailbox by calling the main office number and pressing * (star).   Leave your message and our phone system will notify our on-call staff that there is an emergency message.  Call 1-800-628-3121, if calling from the neighbor islands or 599-4224, if calling from Oahu.
 
www.HawaiiInformation.com
Dole Office Building, 680 Iwilei Road #777, Honolulu, HI 96817

HIS Bulletin: Announcements & Reminders

Revised Rules and Regulations

A new version of the Rules and Regulations of  MLS Hawaii, Inc. d/b/a Hawaii Information Service is available in the HIS website.  This version was adopted by the HIS Board of Directors on May 19, 2009.  Members may access the rules through the MLS Rules and Regulations link that appears on the login page under REsearch Quick Links.  The rules now include  amendments approved by the HIS Board of Directors since January 2009.  Following are the revisions you will see in the new version of the rules:

  • Alphabetization of the Definitions in Article II.  Defiinitions and usage.
  • Short Sale Disclosure in the Public Remarks permitted with seller’s consent.  We have had several members express that they felt it a duty to the public to disclose that a property was subject to short sale in the the Public Remarks.   A sentence has been added to Section 3.05.a. that reads as follows.

“Participant may, but is not required, to disclose the existence of a potential short sale in the public remarks provided the seller has consented to the disclosure; regardless whether participant discloses a potential short sale in the public remarks, the participant is still subject to the requirements of Section 4.09 Information in listing records limited.”
 
There are several listings currently in the service that have mention of the listed properties being subject to short sale in the Public Remarks.  Listors of these listings should remove any reference to short sales in the Public Remarks if they do not have the sellers’ consent to display such information.
Reminder!  If you have properties listed that are or may be subject to short sale, you must include the language “Potential Short Sale” in the Private Remarks.

  • Addition of Sections 6.23 and 6.24, regarding participant websites.  These were added to mirror the NAR Model MLS rules.

Section 6.23. Disclosure of firm and licensee names. A participant’s firm websites shall disclose the firm’s name and state(s) of licensure in a reasonable and readily apparent manner. Websites of associate subscribers affiliated with a participant’s firm shall disclose the firm’s name and the associate subscriber’s state(s) of licensure in a reasonable and readily apparent manner.

Section 6.24. True picture in advertising. Participants shall present a true picture in their advertising and representations to the public, including the URLs and domain names they use, and participants may not:
a.       engage in deceptive or unauthorized framing of real estate brokerage websites;
b.       manipulate (e.g., presenting content developed by others) listing content in any way that produces a deceptive or misleading result; or
c.        deceptively use metatags, keywords or other devices/methods to direct, drive, or divert Internet traffic, or to otherwise mislead consumers.


Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-628-3121 or send an email to TechSupport@HawaiiInformation.com.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
 JULY BILLING & WAIVER REMINDER
Aloha Brokers and Agents
Important Billing Announcment
Next billing for credit card and ACH customers is
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
 
(Payments by check are also due Wednesday, July 1st)
If you are placing your license INACTIVE, or if you are surrendering your license, we must receive a copy of your DCCA change form.  We request that changes be submitted to us 4 to 5 business days prior to the billing date, so please send your form(s) in by Wednesday, June 24, 2009 to assure that your chagnes will be processed before the buillind on July 2, 2009.  Once we charge your credit card or debit your account, there is no refund.

Please contact us before billing occurs if you would like to make any changes to your billing.

If you need to change your payment account, please go to this link: Exhibit C – Pre-authorized Payment AgreementPrint and complete this form, sign it and fax you new Exhibit C to (808) 524-6874.  Please note that your broker does not have to sign this form if you are only changing your account information.If you need to change your payment frequency please notify us, by one of the following methods:
a) Call HIS Accounting: 1-800-628-3121, ext. #454, or
b) Send an email to Accounting@HawaiiInformation.com or deb@hawaiiiinformation.com

It is the responsibility of the PB to insure that the fees that are due are paid by the 10th of each month or service may be interrupted to the entire office on the 11th.  Each PB must be responsible for his/her own agents.  If an agent is not able to pay his/her MLS fees, the PB has the following choices.

  • Release the agent, placing their license inactive with DCCA, and providing a copy of the release to HIS.  The agent’s signature is not required. 
  • Loan the agent sufficient funds to pay the MLS fees due.
  • Pay the fees due on behalf of the agent.
     

The PB is responsible for managing the roster for his/her office.  Fees will continue to be billed until a DCCA change form is received by HIS.
 
As always, we appreciate your cooperation.

Also……….
WAIVER APPLICATIONS/RENEWALS ARE DUE NOW!
Do you have agents, assistants, or other staff that qualify for an MLS Waiver? Waiver applications and renewals are DUE NOW! Please read this important information about waiver applications.

Waiver Applications for the new fiscal year period from July 2009 through June 2010 are due by June 30, 2009.

Waiver applications for the July 2008 to June 2009 period will be automatically be expiring on June 30, 2009. Anyone who is under waiver and want to continue accessing the MLS service under a waiver application must submit a new waiver application by June 30th of each fiscal year. This affects all licensed support subscribers, property managers and time-share agents. Waivers are also required for each partner or officer, director or shareholder who has a license, but does not engage in sales activity. Click here to obtain the Waiver Application form.

_____________________________________________________________________________ 

Administration Notes
Normal Office Hours

Monday – Friday:   8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
 
In the event of emergency ….
you may leave a message in our emergency voice mailbox by calling the main office number and pressing * (star).   Leave your message and our phone system will notify our on-call staff that there is an emergency message.  Call 1-800-628-3121, if calling from the neighbor islands or 599-4224, if calling from Oahu.
 
www.HawaiiInformation.com
Dole Office Building, 680 Iwilei Road #777, Honolulu, HI 96817

Follow Us On Twitter and Facebook!

As I am sure you well know, membership on social networking sites is growing quickly, providing a quick and easy way to keep instantaneously up to date with friends, family, customers, businesses etc.  To help you stay abreast of what we here at Hawaii Information Service are up to, we have created Twitter and Facebook accounts for both HIS and AlohaLiving.
 
To “follow” us on these sites, simply click the links below, or paste them into your browser!  If you are not already a member, they will ask you to register as one – don’t let this stop you, becoming part of the online social networking world is a great way to grow your business!
 
Twitter:
HIS – http://twitter.com/HiInformation
Aloha Living – http://twitter.com/AlohaLiving

Facebook:
HIS – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Honolulu-HI/Hawaii-Information-Service/70158269745
Aloha Living – http://www.facebook.com/pages/AlohaLiving/96969488240
 
 
Questions? Feedback? I’d love to hear from you!
 
Erin Shaw
Marketing Coordinator
Hawaii Information Service
E-mail: erin@alohaliving.com
Phone: 808-599-4224 (on Oahu) or 1-800-628-3121 (toll free)