Phil, our MLS had a lot of features that most people did not use or didn’t even know they existed. Then they added Listingbook and I am not sure when but after I discovered it and started using it, it was everything you could ask for and more.

Here are a few of the things I found that are great about it.

Example:  A particular buyer calls you and says they are looking for a 3/2 with a pool in the 33912 zip code. They would like to keep it under $300,000. You advise then of a new service you have available and tell them you are going to give them access to the same database you use to find homes. At that point you go in set them up an account and set up the initial filters to pull up all the homes that meet their criteria. Now for the good stuff; you can go in and review the listing and can leave them notes on anything you want to bring to their attention on each listing. You can highlight some as your picks to let them know that these are some of the best. When they get the list of listings they can view them and reject them or add them to their favorites list. Any time that a new listing is added they are notified. You get a daily summary of all the clients that viewed their listings and if they left you any notes. Within the listing is all the information they could want: tax information, pictures, map, satellite view, HOA fees and more that we normally had in our regular client listing sheet. They can also tag a property to notify them if there is a price change. These are only a few of the features but it really helps the client narrow the field because they have the ability to refine the search criteria and you are advised when they do. There is also a quick search feature that if a client was looking for a foreclosure for example they would just type foreclosure in the remark and it would only bring up foreclosures.  When the client has selected his properties as his favorites and you are ready to set up showing appointments you can create a map route to make your schedule the most time effective or however you want it laid out. When you print out the buyer’s presentation, they receive not only the information but a check off sheet with all the things they may want to make notes about the property. Really makes reviewing properties a breeze. There is much more but this is a quick view of a well thought out program.

The seller side is also impressive and just as powerful. I will set you up as an account and email you and maybe you can get some ideas of things to add to your MLS. It would probably be easier to just have them add Listingbook since they are all over the country.

Methinks you are right, your MLS can beat up my MLS. Impressive.

Phil, sounds like your MLS is really working to help you give great customer service.  and even better, you have taken the time to learn how to use these great tools to your advantage, and to your clients advantage.  Good for you!!  

I sure wish we had that listing book that Gary is talking about too!!!

shelly

So, Gary, you didn't like the Client Portal in Rappatoni at all or did it just not do enough?  I would like to see them do something more for the sellers.  I have ideas so I'll have to propose them and see if it goes anywhere.

Our MLS is switching from Paragon 1 (created when dinosaurs roamed the Earth) to NTREIS which actually has 2 MLS access programs - Tempo/Marketlinx and Rappatoni.  I like that because you can choose whichever you like best.  Also if one is down, the other is still there so you don't lose access.  I hope we will be going live in August...I'm getting tired of playing with the training system and I am way past tired of Paragon!

Velda, Yes I like Rappatoni but Listingbook puts it to shame. It has some things that the Agent can use that are better than Listingbook but for the client this is the best I have seen and simple to use.

I didn't go into the seller portion but it is even better than the buyer. They get updates on new competition, how they stack up in price and who looked at their home, agents or clients that saw it. They get feedback from showings and much more. The seller side is a dream for listing agents. The seller ends up with a great view of what is and isn't selling in his neighborhood and it isn't hard to explain the why!

Gary we have Listingbook also and I love it.  So if Listingbook is in FL and CA I will bet it could be available in your area.  You might contact your board and ask for it. To tell you the truth I probably don't know half of what is available with my MLS.  We just changed over to Tempo last year and it took a bit getting use to.  One thing I do know they provide besides Listingbook is Mongo Fax.  Which I use all the time.

Jana

I went to the Listingbook website to see what the appeal is all about.  I really don't like it when a company doesn't tell me their pricing structure upfront.  I just hate it when you're expected to sit through their sales pitch just to find out the price.  I know, I know---absolute blasphemy coming from someone in the sales business.