HIS Marketing Admin 2:29 pm on June 29, 2016

July 2016 Training Schedule

Below is the schedule of upcoming online training classes for the month of July. If you’re new to HIS, we strongly encourage you to attend an “Orientation” session on July 6 or July 28. To get started with REsearch, attend a “Getting Started” session on July 28.

Even if you’ve participated in a session before, it’s often a good idea to get a refresher. Our live trainers can answer your questions and help you get the most out of REsearch. Descriptions of each HIS webinar can can be found here.

To sign up immediately, simply click on the links below. If you are going to attend online classes as a group, only one person needs to sign up.

July 4-8, 2016

Orientation
July 6, 2016 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6233256038182272514
Formats
July 6, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1323619960813648898
Searching
July 8, 2016 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/783218791854801154
Advanced Searching
July 8, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3619047296377482754

July 11-15, 2016

Farming & Labels
July 13, 2016 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4662614673020687874
Prospects & Contacts
July 13, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4019731323771732226
Open House
July 14, 2016 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1897814619652433666
Enter & Manage Listings
July 14, 2016 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1823587689172939010
“Listing Update” & CMA (Part I)
July 15, 2016 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/605875262876165122
Cloud CMA (Part II)
July 15, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3311969091902665986

July 18-22, 2016

Maps I
July 20, 2016 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8293491239495317506
Maps II
July 20, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3124755247041281026
Customizing
July 22, 2016 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6289645591524754178
zipForms, Roster Download & Downloading
July 22, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/713295349886765826

July 25-29, 2016

Orientation
July 28, 2016 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/686062645890046978
Getting Started
July 28, 2016 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8709690475469152258

TMK Essentials

Subscribers to our TMK public records service are encouraged to take our online TMK Essentialstraining. Learn how to get the most out of your TMK subscription on your schedule, from anywhere, via a recorded training session now available on YouTube!
Instructions on how to register for online classes:

To register, please click on the applicable link located below the class. This will take you to the Citrix GoToMeeting/GoToWebinar registration site.
Please complete all the required fields marked by a red asterisk (First Name, Last Name, Email Address, Phone, and Organization or 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.

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

System requirements for online classes:

PC-based attendees – Required: Microsoft Windows® XP or newer
Macintosh®-based attendees – Required: Mac OS® X 10.8 (Mountain Lion) or newer
Mobile attendees – Required: Apple iOS 8 or newer, Google Android 4.0 or newer System requirements apply only to the GoToMeeting webinar service, not to the REsearch system.

Questions? Comments? Please feel free to contact us via support@hiinfo.com or call (808) 599-4224or (800) 628-3121

HIS Marketing Admin 10:34 am on June 28, 2016

Holiday Notice: Office Closed on Monday

The Hawaii Information Service office will be closed on Monday, July 4, 2016 in observance of Independence Day.

In case of emergency, you can reach us over the long weekend and any time outside regular business hours by leaving a message on our emergency line. Just call (808) 599-4224 or (800) 628-3121 from the neighbor islands, and press * (star). Our phone system will notify our on-call staff, and someone will return your call as soon as possible.

Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday, July 5. The next observed holiday will be Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 5.

We hope the rest of your week goes well, and that you have a spectacular Independence Day holiday!

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the U.S. commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Photo by Daniel Ramirez.

HIS Marketing Admin 10:13 am on June 22, 2016

Latest REsearch Enhancements

Thanks to your valuable and ongoing feedback, the latest enhancements to REsearch are now live. These include adding ZIP codes to the TMK Full format, a change to the default display of REsearch on smartphones and smaller screens, and changing references to “The Big Island” to “Hawaii Island.” A number of small fixes were also released today.

ZIP Code on TMK Full

REsearch on Smartphones

To ensure you can see the most information quickly when using REsearch on smartphones or smaller screens, we have made a small change to the left-side menu. Now, this menu is hidden by default. In order to show the menu, tap the three-line options icon (a.k.a. “the hamburger icon”) in the top right corner of the screen.

Hawaii Island

References to the nickname “The Big Island” have been changed to the more official “Hawaii Island.”

Assorted Fixes

We’ve improved printing (address displays, TMK Full section headers, and ordering in MLS Book or Quick + Summary formats), copy and paste functions (for Firefox users and in the MLS Book and MLS One Line formats), and clarified options for open houses and prospect recipients.

As always, if you’re experiencing problems with REsearch or have suggestions on ways to make it better, please contact us!

HIS Marketing Admin 9:13 am on June 15, 2016

Broker Notice: Publish Listings on the International IMLS

The latest distribution partner on our REsearch Listing Syndication Dashboard is the International IMLS (IMLS), a global real estate portal featuring over a million listings in 60 countries!

Introducing the International MLS!

Hawaii Information Service member brokers now have the opportunity to join the International MLS (IMLS), and make their Hawaii real estate listings available to a global audience!

Our Listing Syndication Dashboard was built within REsearch to give brokers better control over where their listings are distributed, including to real estate portals like Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com. That flexibility allows us to provide additional options to give your listings even wider reach.

Hawaii Information Service is the first U.S. MLS included in the IMLS, and as an early partner, our members have a unique opportunity to be among the first American brokers to join the IMLS at a discounted rate, and to have their listings distributed on this new platform.

Learn More »

Benefits of International MLS Membership

Send your listings to The International MLS (IMLS) global portal, serving over a million listings across 60 countries.
Get even more visibility through participating agent and broker websites from around the world.
Capture leads from outside your local market through an included IMLS search page that you can link from your website.
Access the IMLS New Homes Agent platform, which provides information on new home developments featured in the IMLS, including developer presentations.
Exclusive early access to Featured Listing, Enhanced Listing, and Premium Agent advertising, including town and ZIP-code exclusivity… coming soon!

IMLS members are also able to upgrade their services with a framed, responsive international search page (with Google Translate), an IMLS-hosted website, and future offerings at discounts of up to 25 percent!

Become an IMLS Member Now »

Get Started with the IMLS in Two Steps:

The International MLS is the latest partner to be added to our REsearch Syndication control panel. This dashboard, found under “Settings,” allows brokers to control where listings are distributed, including to the International MLS!

In order for your listings to appear on the IMLS, you will need to become a member. Since Hawaii Information Service is an early MLS partner, you will be able to save on annual IMLS membership and listing plans. Join the IMLS! »
Then, all you need to do is to opt-in to the IMLS on the Syndication dashboard in REsearch. (If you opt-in before you become an IMLS member, you will receive information on how to join.)

More syndication partners to come… stay tuned!

HIS Marketing Admin 12:26 pm on June 9, 2016

NAR Call For Action: FHA Condo Financing

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is issuing a Call For Action to all REALTORS® asking all 100 United States Senators to pass H.R. 3700, the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016. H.R. 3700 contains provisions to ease FHA restrictions on condo sale and purchase; provides permanent authority for direct endorsement for approved lenders to approve Rural Housing Service loans; and makes reforms to federally assisted rental housing programs to streamline the program.

Condominiums continue to be the most affordable homeownership option for many. NAR believes that loosening FHA’s condominium rules will ensure that more homeowners will be able to sell their units, and homebuyers will have more opportunities to buy affordable properties.

This bill passed unanimously in the House (427-0 vote) yet it languishes in the United States Senate. NAR sent a letter to all U.S. Senators, and you can contact Hawaii’s Senate delegation via the below:

Sen. Mazie Hirono
330 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-6361
Contact: www.hirono.senate.gov/contact

Sen. Brian Schatz
722 Hart Senate Office Building Washington DC 20510
(202) 224-3934
Contact: www.schatz.senate.gov/contact

Visit the NAR Call For Action page after Monday, June 13, 2016 for more information. You can also sign up to receive REALTOR® Party Mobile Alerts.

Below are additional details on HR 3700 from NAR’s Federal Financing and Housing Policy Committee:

What is the fundamental issue?

While the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has loosened its condominium approval requirements in recent years, many properties continue to struggle to meet overly stringent criteria and the majority of
properties are being denied.

I am a real estate professional. What does this mean for my business?

Buyers and sellers of condominiums may find the property is ineligible for FHA financing, restricting the pool of buyers for that property.

NAR Policy:

Condominiums continue to be the most affordable homeownership option for many first time buyers, small families, single people, and older Americans. NAR believes that loosening FHA’s condominium rules will ensure that more homeowners will be able to sell their units, and homebuyers will have more opportunities to buy affordable properties. Furthermore, FHA promotes high density, urban living in many of their Smart Growth initiatives; easing condo restrictions should be part of this effort.

Opposition Arguments:

Opponents of NAR policy believe that condominium properties are more inherently risky than other residential real estate, and that the federal government should not be involved in that market. They also
believe that condo properties that include rental units are even more risky because the renters don’t have the investment and may not treat the property as well as owners. Therefore, they think FHA’s restriction on the number of rental units reduces the risk.

Legislative/Regulatory Status/Outlook:

In February, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3700, the “Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2015”, introduced by Reps. Luetkemeyer (R-MO) and Cleaver (D-MO), by a unanimous vote of 427-0! This legislation will provide 4 changes to FHA’s current condo policy. H.R. 3700 will: 1) reduce owner-occupancy ratio to 35% unless HUD acts within 90 days of enactment of this law to otherwise lower the ratio; 2) allow lenders to approve condos with commercial space over 25%; 3) require HUD Secretary to “substantially reduce” burdens on condo recertification; and 4) require FHA to mirror the FHFA rules related to private transfer fees. NAR is now working with the Senate to move legislation there.

HIS Marketing Admin 2:17 pm on June 7, 2016

Congratulations to the ‘Top 100 Realtors’!

top100-topimage

top100-sideimage Hawaii Information Service offers its heartiest congratulations to its many members that were recognized by Hawaii Business magazine in its tenth annual “Top 100 Realtors.” This year’s featured Realtors were recognized last week at a special celebration at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki.

Once again, Hawaii Information Service was the evening’s entertainment sponsor. Award winning and Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Henry Kapono Ka’aihue got the crowd up and dancing to cap off another wonderful evening.

Top 100 Realtors by Total Sales

Hawaii Information Service and its participating boards (the Kauai Board of Realtors, Hawaii Island Realtors and West Hawaii Association of Realtors) are proud to play a part in helpingHawaii Business build its lists each year, although it is an independent program of the magazine. Below is the list of Top 100 Realtors by Total Sales (residential, alphabetical order, as provided by Hawaii Business), with special congratulations to our members in bold!

Adrienne W Lally (Keller Williams Honolulu)
Amy F Frazier (Reside Kauai, LLC)
Anne Hogan Perry (Coldwell Banker Pacific Prop.)
Anne Oliver (Coldwell Banker Pacific Prop.)
Beth Chang (Coldwell Banker Pacific Prop.)
Bob Hansen (Maui Luxury Real Estate LLC)
Bradley S MacArthur (Wailea Realty Corp)
Bryn W Kaufman (OahuRE.com)
Carl W Smigielski (Sandwich Isles Realty, Inc.)
Carrie Nicholson (Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers)
Charlene Tongg (Keller Williams Honolulu)
Clint Hansen (Maui Luxury Real Estate LLC)
Corinda S Wong (Locations LLC)
Courtney J Takai (Vesta Hawaii Real Estate)
Cynthia L Nash (Choi International)
Damien J Zanolini (Coldwell Banker Island Prop(S))
Dan Madden (East Oahu Realty, Inc.)
Danette K Andrews (Elite Pacific Properties)
Daniel K Ihara (Keller Williams Honolulu)
Dano Sayles (RE/MAX Lifestyle)
Dave Wagner (Wailea Point Realty, Inc.)
David W Richardson (Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers)
Derek Kamm (Keller Williams Honolulu)
Diane O Ito (Keller Williams Honolulu)
Dolores P Bediones (Locations LLC)
Donna A Duryea (Elite Pacific Properties LLC)
Eileen F Lacerte (Hawaii Beach and Golf Properties)
Elle Phillips (Kohanaiki Realty LLC)
Erik E Hinshaw (Hawaii Life Real Est. Brokers)
Erin B Evans (CENTURY 21 All Islands)
Glen H Fujihara (Locations LLC)
H. Scott Rotheiser (REALHome Services & Solutions)
Hannah Sirois (Kauai Heritage Properties, LLC)
Harold Clarke (Luxury Big Island By Harold Clarke)
Holly Turl (Coldwell Banker Pacific Prop.)
Ivy N Kumai (Ivy K Realty, LLC)
James A Schneider (Kukio Properties)
Jeff Simon (Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers)
Jeffrey N Samuels (Jeffrey Samuels Real Estate)
Jo-Ann M Aki (Emerald Club Realty, Inc.)
Joannie Hsieh (Central Pacific Properties,Inc)
Joel L Cavasso (Kailua Beach Realty)
John Peterson (Coldwell Banker Pacific Prop.)
Joni J. Metzler (Kohanaiki Realty LLC)
Josh Jerman (Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers)
Julianna Garris (Choi International)
Kathy J Christiansen (MacArthur Sotheby’s International Realty, Kona)
Kay M Mukaigawa (Primary Properties Inc.)
Kelly Allen (Carvill Sotheby’s Intl. Realty)
Kelly Lee (Drake Properties, Inc.)
Kim Balisacan (BHGRE Advantage Realty)
Leian Harosky (Coldwell Banker Pacific Prop.)
Margaret Murchie (Coldwell Banker Pacific Prop.)
Mark A Marchello (Mark A Marchello Inc)
Marshall C Mower (Locations LLC)
Mary LaVoie-Olson (Elite Pacific Properties, LLC)
Mathew Huy Ngo (CENTURY 21 All Islands)
Melanie Long (Pacific International Realty)
Michael K. Sheehan (Hanalei Land Company, LLC.)
Michael R. Schmidt, R(B) (Coldwell Banker Bali Hai Realty, Inc.)
Mikiko Terahira (Coldwell Banker Pacific Prop.)
Myron N Kiriu (BHGRE Advantage Realty)
Nancy J Callahan (The Wailea Group LLC)
Nathalie C Mullinix (Nathalie Mullinix Realty Universal, Inc.)
Nathan W. Smith (Century 21 All Islands – Princeville)
Neal A. Norman (Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers)
Nicole Inja Choi (Locations LLC)
Patricia Choi (Choi International)
Regina M Stuard (Hawaii Resort Homes, LLC)
Richard S Cricchio (Help-U-Sell Honolulu Prop.)
Robert Chancer (Mauna Kea Realty)
Robert H Dein (Maui Real Estate Advisors LLC)
Robert H Merriman (The Wailea Group LLC)
Robert Kildow (Hualalai Realty)
Robert R Myers (Elite Pacific Properties, LLC)
Sachiyo S Braden (Sachi HI Pacific Century Prop.)
Scott Adams (BHGRE Advantage Realty)
Scott R Carvill (Carvill Sotheby’s Intl. Realty)
Shannon D Severance (RE/MAX Honolulu)
Stephanie L Chan (Locations LLC)
Stephen A Cipres (Elite Pacific Properties, LLC)
Stephen T. L. Hurwitz (Mauna Kea Realty)
Sue Brown (Livingston Realty)
Susan N Borochov (Coldwell Banker Pacific Prop.)
Susan Onishi Andrade (Locations LLC)
Suzanne M Harding (Kukui’ula Realty Group LLC)
Thomas Loratta (Hualalai Realty)
Timothy J Rizzo-Murray (Green Realty Group)
Tom Tezak (Wailea Realty Corp)
Tomoko Matsumoto (Hawaii Beach and Golf Properties)
Tony Kawaguchi (Hawaii Homes International)
Tony L. Pinkert (Hualalai Realty)
Tracey Anne Stott Kelley (Stott Real Estate, Inc.)
Tracy Allen (Coldwell Banker Pacific Prop.)
Trevor W Benn (Benn Pacific Group, Inc.)
Vincent Lao (Five Star Realty, Inc.)
Wana’ao W Eldridge (Choi International)
Wendy R Peterson (Island Sotheby’s Int’l Rlty(M))
Yvonne J. Khouri-Morgan (Mauna Lani Realty, Inc.)
Yvonne Summerfield (RE/MAX Kauai Living)

Find More in the June 2016 Issue of Hawaii Business

The ranked list can be found in the June 2016 issue, as well as other lists (including Most Transactions, Top 10 for Vacant Land, Top Companies by Sales & Transactions, and Honorable Mention). For information on the criteria used to compile this and other lists, see Hawaii Business’ write up of its methodology from 2015.

HIS Marketing Admin 4:17 pm on June 6, 2016

Office Closed on Friday for Kamehameha Day

The Hawaii Information Service office will be closed on Friday, June 10, 2016 in observance of Kamehameha Day. Normal office hours will resume on Monday, June 13.

As always, you can reach us after hours and on weekends by leaving a message on our emergency line. Just call (808) 599-4224 or (800) 628-3121 from the neighbor islands, and press * (star). Our phone system will notify our on-call staff, and someone will return your call as soon as possible.

Our team would like to wish you an aloha-filled weekend, and thank you for your continued support! Our next observed holiday will be Independence Day on Monday, July 4.

Kamehameha Day was established in 1871 by King Kamehameha V to honor his grandfather,Kamehameha The Great. Photo by Daniel Ramirez (Flickr).

HIS Marketing Admin 2:58 pm on June 1, 2016

June 2016 Training Schedule

Below is the schedule of upcoming online training classes for the month of June. If you’re new to HIS, we strongly encourage you to attend an “Orientation” session on June 8. To get started with REsearch, attend a “Getting Started” session on June 8 or June 30.