RE/MAX Mainstreet will be “under construction” beginning tomorrow, Friday, December 17^th at 7:00PM CST through Saturday, December 18^th at 5:00AM CST. 

You will not have access to Mainstreet, RE/MAX Design Center, or LeadStreet during this time; however, your remax.net email accounts will not be disturbed, and leads will still be able to be accepted via email and text messaging. 

Questions?  Comments?  Concerns?  Contact eCare at ecare@remax-nc.net or 888.398.7171

You can still text someone if your cell phone isn't charged. 

It’s true; most cell phone providers accept text messages sent via email when a special format email address is used.  If you type the phone number, plus the “@” symbol, followed by the cell phone provider’s mobile message domain, in the “To” field, a text message is sent!

Example: if your client has an iPhone (AT&T), and their number is 555-123-4567, you would type 5551234567@mms.att.net in the “To” field of your email program. And if they text you a reply - you get an email! (Note - the email may turn up in your "Junk" folder.)

Try it now using your cell phone! To get started, here is a list of some cell phone providers and their current text messaging domains:

Alltel = @message.alltel.com
AT&T = @mms.att.net
Nextel = @messaging.nextel.com
Sprint = @messaging.sprintpcs.com
SunCom = @tms.suncom.com
T-Mobile = @tmomail.net
VoiceStream = @voicestream.net
Verizon = @vtext.com (text only)
or @vzwpix.com (pictures and videos)

As part of our participation in the Shared Association Services and Information (SASI) statewide data sharing effort, all participating Associations agreed to a common set of MLS rules.  Because most MLS Rules
are determined by the National Association, there are very few changes we needed to make for NorthstarMLS. 

Those that we did make are minor but important.  The following rules changes are effective immediately but will not be enforced until Monday, January 3rd to allow everyone time to get used to the changes:

• Listings must be entered into NorthstarMLS (or withheld) within 2 business days of contract effective date (was previously 3 calendar days). Fine is $25.00 per day for each day late (was previously $100 regardless of number of days late).
• At least one property photo must be uploaded to the listing within 2 business days of the input date (was previously three calendar days).  Fine if not uploaded within 2 business days is $25.00 (was previously $15.00).
• Status changes must be entered within 2 business days of the change (was
• previously 24 hours).  Fine is $25.00 per day for each day late (was previously $100 regardless of number
• of days late).
• If you have an IDX/Broker Reciprocity Website, the listings must be refreshed at least once a day (was previously once a week).

Note: Calendar days include weekends and holidays.  Business days do not include them.


For more information please view the home page of NorthStar MLS which provides you with a link to a PDF that goes more in depth about these changes.

Tuesday, December 14^th –2 pm
Smart Phones and Apps

You’ve heard the saying “There’s an App for that.”  Consider this 30-minute webinar the “App” that will help you decide which Smart Phone to buy and which Apps are most beneficial to use/buy.  This webinar will be an open discussion about the differences between the iPhone, Droid, Blackberry, and the new Windows phone.  It will also highlight things to consider when purchasing a phone or App.

As part of our participation in the Shared Association Services and Information (SASI) statewide data sharing effort, all participating Associations agreed to a common set of MLS rules.  Because most MLS Rules are determined by the National Association, there are very few changes we needed to make for NorthstarMLS.  Those that we did make are minor but important.  The following rules changes are effective immediately but will not be enforced until Monday, January 3rd to allow everyone time to get used to the changes:

• Listings must be entered into NorthstarMLS (or withheld) within 2 business days of contract effective date (was previously 3 calendar days). Fine is $25.00 per day for each day late (was previously $100 regardless of number of days late).
• At least one property photo must be uploaded to the listing within 2 business days of the input date (was previously three calendar days).  Fine if not uploaded within 2 business days is $25.00 (was previously $15.00).
• Status changes must be entered within 2 business days of the change (was previously 24 hours).  Fine is $25.00 per day for each day late (was previously $100 regardless of number of days late).
• If you have an IDX/Broker Reciprocity Website, the listings must be refreshed at least once a day (was previously once a week).

Note: Calendar days include weekends and holidays.  Business days do not include them.

For more details and a PDF print version of this announcement, click here.


Courtesy of NorthstarMLS

Get out your iPhone, Android or Blackberry and scan this bar code. It should open up a browser and send you to a website. What do you think?





Courtesy of RE/MAX North Central

Because RE/MAX Advantage Plus is a designated drop off location for Toys for Tots, we have been asked to join RE/MAX North Central’s Regional VP, David Linger when he appears on KARE 11’s 10PM newscast Wednesday, December 8th and help promote the Toys for Tots collection site. If interested meet at the KARE 11 tent at 9:45 pm at 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN 55427.

Feel free to bring a new, unwrapped toy or deliver the toys collected by our office!

Effective January 1, 2011 the quarterly MLS fees will be $114.00 for all MLS participants. This new rate reflects a fee increase from the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota Inc. (the RMLS) to its Shareholder Associations, the North Metro REALTORS® Association, the St. Paul Area Association of REALTORS® and the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®.

While a declining subscriber base across the Metro area has contributed to the need for an increase these additional fees also support a number of enhancements such as:

• Book A Showing
• WEBforms
• Down Payment Resource Program

The Shared Association Service project (SASI), which will allow agents from anywhere in the state to access listings throughout the state from their home MLS without having to join multiple associations and MLS's, as well as the following enhancements are scheduled for early 2011:

• New add/edit system
• Improved user interface
• Better contact management
• A new stats application
• Homepage dashboard with quick access to Matrix features
• Multiple carts

If you have any questions regarding the new MLS rate please contact spaar@spaar.com or call 651-776-6000.

eKEY for the Android is now available!  Turn your Android phone into a lockbox key in two easy steps. First download the eKEY app from the Android Market.  Note that this link will only work directly from your mobile phone.  The download is free and it includes a demo version that lets you try all features risk free.  Next, purchase a small hardware device, called the eKEY Fob that translates Bluetooth to Infrared.  Please note that you must also be enrolled in the eKEY Basic service.

If you are interested in purchasing an eKEY Fob, you may order an adapter directly from Supra by logging into SupraWEB (link to right).  The price for the adapters is $49.95, plus any applicable sales tax and shipping charges.

Key Product Features:

• Use your Android phone as your lockbox key.
• Program lock boxes, change shackle codes, manage lock box inventory.
• Link directly to SupraWEB right from your phone.
• eKEY will update itself, no cradling or extra charging required.

Minnesota REALTORS^® have the chance to be part of the largest state bell ringing effort in Salvation Army history: REALTOR^® Ring Day!

REALTOR^® Ring Day will be held Friday, December 10th at more than 150 kettle locations in greater Minnesota and at more than 200 kettle locations in the Twin Cities. Realty offices throughout Minnesota are encouraged to provide enough bell ringing volunteers to cover each kettle location for the entire day, a 10-hour commitment. In addition to Minnesota, our neighbors in North Dakota are also sponsoring REALTOR^® Ring Day on December 10th!

This program is a joint effort between The Salvation Army, the Minnesota Association of REALTORS^® and the following local associations: Duluth Area Association of REALTORS^®, Fargo-Moorhead Area Association of REALTORS^®, Grand Forks Association of REALTORS^®,Greater Lakes Association of REALTORS^®, Lake Region Association of REALTORS^®, Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS^®, North Metro REALTORS^® Association, Range Association of REALTORS^®, REALTOR^® Association of Southern Minnesota, Southeast Minnesota Association of REALTORS^®, St. Cloud Area Association of REALTORS^®, St. Paul Area Association of REALTORS^®, West Central Association of REALTORS^®

Thank you for your partnership!!

To sign up to volunteer if you are part of the St. Paul Area Association or North Metro Association, go to: http://www.wwraonline.com/registrations/realtorringregistration.asp
You can sign up using the REALTOR^® Ring Day registration database - this is for your area only.

To sign up to volunteer if you are part of the Minneapolis Area Association, please contact amyr@mplsrealtor.com.

To sign up to volunteer outside the Metro area, go to
http://www.mnrealtor.com/realtorringdayss
This will take you to a spreadsheet that will list locations and cities available, and who to contact directly in those areas.