“Text Messaging and Today’s Real Estate Professional”
Text Messaging and Today’s Real Estate Professional
I am quickly approaching my 10th Anniversary of working with REALTORS and I have lived through many technology changes. I can remember back in 2001 telling agents “If you don’t email, you will be limiting your business”. I had agents argue that email was a passing fade and wasn’t here to stay. In 2005, I started telling agents the Smartphone will become a major part on the way business is conducted, and many said they were completely happy with the flip phone. In 2006, I stated if you don’t use text messaging you will lose a certain amount of clients, and again folks argued with me. Well guess what, today when I ask a group of Realtors “how many have worked with clients using text messages”, three quarters of the room raise there hands.
With this dramatic increase in agents texting clients we need to find ways to document the conversations and protect all parties involved. I always suggest to an agent early on; when texting a client include all the information required by local state for electronic media such as name, company name, phone numbers etc. In my humble option I look at text messaging as a thread with a certain person much like an email we keep sending back and forth. By including your information once you have advised your client of the information required in most states. Don’t subpoena me as I will crumble on the stand!
Next, as we find ourselves texting more and emailing less we need to save these text messages in a format that could be printed and brought to closing, and saved in the closed file. If you’re like me I scroll back through hundreds of text messages looking for that certain tidbit of information. One big factor when shopping for Smartphone’s should be does your phone save all your text messages exchanged by you and each party you are texting. Not all phones do that. With many of us using text for business it should be on your short list of requirements.
Had a great story in one of my seminars; I will pass along his handy idea. An agent was working with a buyer who preferred most of their communication to be done by text. He got the idea to copy and pastes the “text conversation” into a Microsoft Word Document allowing him to document the flow of information. Then, when the contract closed he could print the entire text message conversation and put it in the closed file along with his other documentation. It was simple to do, so he starting doing it for all of his clients. At a recent closing, a buyer questioned why he had not been told something; the agent was able to pull out the printed Word document and highlight the conversation which included the buyer acknowledging the information in question.
I highly suggest each agent using text to work with a client learn how to keep a copy of all text messages on a computer or convert to a printed document. For the sake of keeping this article smaller then a book please go to Google and search with the following phrase; copy text messages from (type of phone). I did it for many of the most common phones and found all kinds of freeware or very inexpensive programs that convert text to documents. The old Palm OS had it for years, and the new Pre has the same feature; however, they did not include time and date stamps. Not real happy with that fact.
Dick Betts
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NAR Certified e-PRO Trainer
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March 2010 Membership Updates
| Drops | |
| Whitney Bray | Murney Associates |
| John George | Keller Williams |
| Walt Nelson | Walt A Nelson |
| Jeff Young | Ron Rist Realty |
| Brad Murdock | Century 21 Maddux Realty |
| Linda Grant | Century 21 Maddux Realty |
| John Foster | Property Masters |
| Amy Green | Arrowrock Realty |
| Condith Garstang | Coldwell Banker – Vanguard |
| Kyle Hicks | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Jim Updegraff | Wilken, REALTORS® LLC |
| Andrea Holden | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Brooke Hobbs | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Valerie Eppler | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Deana Box | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Lori Henderson | Hutcheson-Coker Real Estate |
| Shelby Pinkerton | Pinkerton REALTORS®, LLC |
| Kathleen Dulin | Walker Realty |
| Maribeth Gardner | Heartland Realty |
| Lena Thompson | Southwest REALTORS® |
| Missy Paszek | Re/Max Properties |
| Brenda McCracken | Re/Max Properties |
| Keith McCracken | Re/Max Properties |
| Shari Asher | Re/Max Properties |
| Mary Turner | Re/Max Properties |
| John Elkins | The Case Company |
| Jennifer Burough | Murney Associates |
| Connie Nichols | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Kristine Nguyen | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Greta Thomason | HOB Realty |
| Shawn Glossip | Simply Put Properties |
| Ben Smith | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Phil McAfee | CJR Commercial |
| Scott Neville | CJR Commercial |
| Cortney Anderson | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Amanda Harris | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Joanne Williamson | Murney Associates |
| Amelia McAdams | Murney Associates |
| Eric Prey | Murney Associates |
| Lisa Rose | Murney Associates |
| Joshua Hoots | Murney Associates |
| William Mosley | Indy Wallace, REALTORS® |
| Indy Wallace | Indy Wallace, REALTORS® |
| Robert Dibenerdini | Indy Wallace, REALTORS® |
| Angela Best | A-1 Appraisals |
| Heather Bixler | Murney Associates |
| Daniel Stevenson | R.B. Murray Company |
| Lynn Handyside | Century Realty, SIQ, Inc. |
| Randy Larkin | Southwest REALTORS® |
| Elizabeth Maddy | Keller Williams |
| Shawn Milligan | Keller Williams |
| Gayle Morrow | Dean Williams, REALTORS® |
| Sheryl Taylor | Souvenir Realty |
| Roger Wasson | Murney Associates |
| LaBryon Williams | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Brandy Easterday | Real Estate Pros, LLC |
| MEMBER COUNTS | February 09 | February 10 |
| Designated REALTORS® | 323 | 319 |
| REALTORS® | 1586 | 1431 |
| Affiliates | 116 | 97 |
| Honorary Members | 10 | 10 |
| Lifetime Members | 39 | 44 |
| Total | 2074 | 1901 |
| MLS Only Members | 180 | 162 |
| Non-Member Salespersons | 28 | 21 |
Deepest Sympathies….
Doug Andrews, Century Realty, SIQ, LLC, mother-in-law, Josephine Stokes, passed away. Tuesday, February 23. Visitation will be held from 2:00pm-4:00pm Sunday, February 28th in Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. Graveside services will be held at 11:00am Monday, March 1st in Missouri Veterans Cemetary. Memorial contributions may be made to the Southwest Missouri Humane Society, 3161 West Norton Road, Springfield.
New Features on MLS Rapattoni System!
- A Rapattoni feature that enables agents to be able to report MLS violations or incorrect information directly to staff via email will soon be activated on the MLS system. The new button will be available on the listing detail screen. The email will be directed to MLS staff and will not be anomymous. You may report anything you feel to be incorrect or a violation of the MLS Rules and Regulations. If staff has any questions, they may contact you. Staff will follow up on any violation and contact the listing agent/broker to correct the problem.
- A new field has been added to the Listing Data Sheet for you to indicate if a property is REO/Bank Owned. It is a searchable field in MLS. Be sure to revise your current listings to make them searchable to other agents. The new field is not public viewable so the public will not be able to search it.
- A new STATUS has been made available for “Pending Short Sale” listings. When you select this status, it is treated just the same as a UCC status (it remains on market). As soon as you have a signed contract, be sure to show it in the MLS. Any contingency or conditions of any term in a listing must be noticed to the Participants within four (4) full business days.
February 2010 Membership Updates
| New Board and MLS Members | |
| Julie Pickens-Livermore | Realty Choice, LLC |
| Janice Colclazier | Murney Associates |
| Donna Winslow | Sunshine REALTORS® |
| Cynthia Cheves | Century 21 New Beginnings |
| Elijah Jones | Sunshine REALTORS® |
| Brandy Bridges | Murney Associates |
| Sherryl Honeycutt | Keller Williams |
| Amy Decker | The Jacques Company |
| Molly Ledger | Murney Associates |
| Teresa Johnson | Century 21 Integrity Group |
| Michael Cheek | Main Street Realty – Greenfield |
| Jerry Carter | Carol Jones REALTORS® |
| Jeff Gammon | JP Morgan Real Estate Solutions, LLC |
| Lynnette Farris | CJR, Commercial Group |
| Richard Crabtree | Murney Associates |
| Jon Hutcheson | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Vicki Sammons | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Terry Emerson | J. Hopkins and Associates |
| Joshua LaBrie | Coldwell Banker – Vanguard |
| Frederick Jackson | Keller Williams |
| Patrick Little | Realty Choice, LLC |
| Chad Perkins | Murney Associates |
| Stacie Wilcox | Coldwell Banker – Vanguard |
| David Gray | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Amy Fischer | Coldwell Banker – Vanguard |
| Kenneth Horne | Keller Williams |
| Doug Sellers | Re/Max Solutions |
| DeLana Billingsley | Hilton Realty & Investment |
| New Board and MLS Companies | |
| Jack Owens | J-S Realty |
| Robert Stadler | Home Team Realty & Mgt, LLC |
| New MLS Only Members | |
| Janis Long | Century 21 Family Tree |
| Kammy Samples | Century 21 Family Tree |
| Evelyn Smith | J-S Realty |
| Steve Dvorak | United Country VIP Realty |
| Transfers | |
| Rhonda Butcher | Murney Associates to Coldwell Banker, Vanguard |
| Bob Hashbarger | Murney Associates to Re/Max Solutions |
| Dorothy J. Kendrick | Murney Associates to Keller Williams |
| Melissa Nichols | Carol Jones, REALTORS® to Murney Associates |
| John Manary | Century 21 Heritage Realty to First Realty |
| Phil Grafft | Fitzgerald First to Re/Max House of Brokers |
| Lori Melton | Real Estate Pro’s, LLC to Southwest REALTORS® |
| Leesa Robinson | Sunshine, REALTORS® to Re/Max Solutions |
| Drops | |
| Jami Jordan | Murney Associates |
| Rodney Lowe | United Country, Lowe Realty |
| Nancy Lowe | United Country, Lowe Realty |
| Bob Jackson | United Country, Lowe Realty |
| Randy Daniels | United Country, Lowe Realty |
| Shelley Dodd | United Country, Lowe Realty |
| Andy Snider | United Country, Lowe Realty |
| Kimberly Kinder | United Country, Lowe Realty |
| Montie Phelps | Assist 2 Sell |
| Freeda Terrill | Murney Associates |
| Karen Kramer | Kramer Commercial, LLC |
| Angela Wells | HOB Realty |
| Linda Hart | Home Team Property, LLC |
| Venetta Bates | Murney Associates |
| Carl King | Kennemer Realty |
| Jennifer Brown | HOB Realty |
| Tami Rapp | Pam Long Appraisal |
| Leah Kashubin | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Kathy Starnes | Coldwell Banker – Vanguard |
| Les Unruh | Great Commission Realty |
| Audra Stania | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Craig Haubein | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Meta Loofbourrow | Coldwell Banker – Vanguard |
| Bryan Vanwinkle | Action Real Estate |
| Patricia Lacey | Main Street Realty |
| Rogena Whitney | Main Street Realty |
| Jack Climer | Jack Climer Realty |
| Janell Manley | Manley & Company Real Estate |
| Wendy Usrey | Home Again Properties |
| Kendrick Campbell | Keller Williams |
| Amanda Jones | Murney Associates |
| Ronald Brown | Linda Childs Real Estate |
| Sandra Arthur | Twin Star Realty |
| Dilana Kuticka | Murney Associates |
| Sharon Wasson | The Real Estate Store |
| Sharon Ashworth | Coldwell Banker – Vanguard |
| Tabitha Wallace | Indy Wallace, REALTORS® |
| Joel Lechner | Wilken, LLC, REALTORS® |
| Cheryl Sutton | Murney Associates |
| Diane Williams | Murney Associates |
| Retha Kay Townsend | Murney Associates |
| Robert DiBenerdini | Indy Wallace, REALTORS® |
| Barry Proctor | Murney Associates |
| Rick Vessels | Murney Associates |
| Angela Jenkins | Great Commission Realty |
| Carol Lafferty | Murney Associates |
| Greg Lafferty | Murney Associates |
| Hannah Barton | Coldwell Banker – Vanguard |
| Cheryl White | Coldwell Banker – Vanguard |
| Eugene See | Murney Associates |
| Michael A. Johnson | The Case Company |
| Charles Davis | The Case Company |
| Thomas Dornan | Spfd’s Urban Neighborhood, LLC |
| Matthew Hoelker | Coldwell Banker – Vanguard |
| Renee Textor | Coldwell Banker – Vanguard |
| Bill Allen | Allen Realty |
| James Case | The Case Company |
| Courtney Hancock | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Ryan McDonald | Coldwell Banker – Vanguard |
| Rejeanna Walser | Murney Associates |
| Gerald Geren | HOB Realty |
| Michael Cooper | 76Realty |
| Andrea Ashely | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Lori Davis | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Heather Bixler | Murney Associates |
| Justin Johnston | Chambers Real Estate |
| Brent Maples | HOB Realty |
| MEMBER COUNTS | January 09 | January 10 |
| Designated REALTORS® | 327 | 318 |
| REALTORS® | 1654 | 1449 |
| Affiliates | 115 | 92 |
| Honorary Members | 10 | 10 |
| Lifetime Members | 39 | 44 |
| Total | 2145 | 1913 |
| MLS Only Members | 190 | 166 |
| Non-Member Salespersons | 18 | 21 |
2009 Multilist Recap
Not all of the changes that were approved in 2009 have been implemented yet, but look for them soon!
1. MLS Governing Documents were revised according to NAR Guidelines, incorporating the changes that pertain to VOW that were mandated by the Justice Department.
2. New fields were added to the MLS Data sheets. Fields were requested by members and also new “Green” fields were included that were recommended by the new “Green Committee”.
3. The GSBOR website was updated to include a section for the Green Committee to add a glossary of information defining the new fields and adding information on Green Issues.
4. A new rule was implemented requiring the signature of either the Seller or the Buyer to withhold the Sold Price from MLS.
5. A new field was added on the MLS for “Cumulative Days on the Market” which adds the days on market of all listings for a property, unless it has been off market for at least 60 days between listings.
6. After much study and discussion, the MLS passed a rule to change to Broker Load for all new listings and changes, effective November 1st, 2009.
7. A new status was approved to enable brokers to remove a listing from the market temporarily.
8. The GSBOR and MLS Board minutes were removed from the on-line REALTOR® Magazine and placed on the member website.
9. A new “Community” section was added to the public website, allowing agents to add their own editorials about their particular area of expertise.
10. A new downloading protocol was mandated by NAR to make a “RETS” raw data feed available and the Board voted to discontinue the FTP feed as of Dec. 31, 2009.
11. The MLS “Token” for logging into the MLS was discontinued July 1st, in favor of a new Authentication logon provided by Rapattoni saving money for the board and also improving security.
12. A new section was added on the GSBOR members’ website for Broker Load information and training media.
13. The MLS Career Launch was reduced to every other month.
14. The Rapattoni and Transaction Desk classes were reduced to one a quarter.
15. MLS Staff was reduced to 3 staff + Administrator.
2009 AWARD APPLICATIONS
Applications for the Awards of Excellence, Cooperative Spirit and Rookie of the Year are online. Go to www.gsbor.com – Click on Our Board – About Us – Awards.
Deadline for submitting these forms to the Board office is February 1, 2010.
You may pick up applications also at the Board office or call Lynn 417-883-1226 x16 or email LGephardt@gsbor.com. Fax applications to 1-888-237-7287.
Reminder: It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit their application to the Board office before the February 1, 2010 deadline. (If fax the application, please check with the Board office to confirm that they have received it.)
DO NOT RELY ON YOUR BROKER TO SUBMIT THIS FOR YOU!
Click here for additional Awards Information
Membership Updates
| Transfers | |
| Daphne Hensley | Keller Williams to Realty Choice, LLC |
| Lorene Beard | Real Estate Pro’s, LLC to Southwest REALTORS® |
| Kimberly Coursey | Keller Williams to Winter Associates, REALTORS® |
| Tonia Ellers | Mickey Duckett, REALTORS® to Carol Jones REALTORS® |
| Brett Goforth | Re/Max House of Brokers to HOB Realty |
| Terrill Hensley | Keller Williams to Realty Choice, LLC |
| Tamera Jones | Murney Associates to Mann, REALTORS® |
| Amanda McKnight | Carol Jones, REALTORS® to Amanda McKnight |
| Brandon Monsanto | Monsanto & Associates to Keller Williams |
| Amanda Moore | Assist 2 Sell to Century 21 Maddux Realty, Inc. |
| Drops | |
| Patricia Plunkett | United Country Countryside |
| Tammy Jones | Murney Associates |
| Jason Ernest | Wilken REALTORS®, LLC |
| Danni Baird | Century 21 Tropepe & Company |
| Lori Smart | Century 21 Tropepe @ Company |
| Craig Bruner | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Teri Roy | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Jenny Smith | Coldwell Banker, Vanguard |
| Kevin Pearson | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Rachel Morgan | Murney Associates |
| Roger Lea | Murney Associates |
| Lori Young | Heartland Realty |
| Kevin Moormann | JP Morgan Real Estate Solutions, LLC |
| William Schmieder | Great Commission Realty |
| Mark Hinds | Keller Williams |
| Ray Gibson | Keller Williams |
| Park Ellison | Kingsway Realty |
| Angela Best | A-1 Appraisal |
| Brian Wood | Wood Appraisal |
| Cynthia Speckman | 3D Property Appraisal |
| Kristine Hill | White Realty |
| Larry Zehner | Renegade REALTORS® |
| Shelley Stallings | A Helper Premier GMAC Real Estate |
| Bruce Hough | A Helper Premier GMAC Real Estate |
| Terry Cornell | Hutcheson Coker Real Estate |
| Paul Smith | Murney Associates |
| Grant Bottomley | Century 21 Peterson Lake Office |
| Douglas Brennaman | Murney Associates |
| Rhonda Maharg | HOB Realty, Inc. |
| Charles Heavin | Murney Associates |
| Stan Nichols | First Realty |
| Emily Johnston | United Country VIP |
| Gordon Leonard | Gordon Leonard Realty |
| Floyd Case | Battlecreek Properties |
| Lisa Pitts | Murney Associates |
| Richard Norton | Murney Associates |
| Julia Sibet | Murney Associates |
| David Harper | David Harper & Associates |
| Jean Cowan | Carol Jones, REALTORS® |
| Steve Patterson | JP Morgan Real Estate Solutions, LLC |
| Wayne Gasek | JP Morgan Real Estate Solutions, LLC |
| Kenneth Burgess | Re/Max House of Brokers |
| David Myers | Premier Associates Realty |
| Nikolay Marchuk | Premier Associates Realty |
| Svetlana Novak | Premier Associates Realty |
| Adrian Stefan | Premier Associates Realty |
| Rex Harris | Century 21 Integrity Group |
| Debbie Moody | Superior Appraisals, LLC |
| MEMBER COUNTS | January-08 | January-09 |
| Designated REALTORS® | 377 | 329 |
| REALTORS® | 1760 | 1494 |
| Affiliates | 115 | 93 |
| Honorary Members | 10 | 10 |
| Lifetime Members | 36 | 43 |
| Total | 2298 | 1969 |
| MLS Only Members | 181 | 174 |
| Non-Member Salespersons | 17 | 25 |