-Regarding Showings of Properties with Accepted Offers: The SCWMLS has been receiving an increasing number of complaints from members stating that they are not being informed of the existence of an accepted offer to purchase until after they have submitted an offer. Under Standard of Practice 3-6 to Article 3 of the Code of Ethics, Wisconsin REALTORS® must disclose the existence of accepted offers to brokers and agents calling for showing appointments or otherwise seeking cooperation. Please think about how that buyer, who is obviously excited about the prospect of a new home, feels when their agent tells them there is already an accepted offer on what they thought was going to be their new home. The only exception to this disclosure is where the seller has indicated that this information is confidential per Wis. Stat. § 452.133(1)(d). Any such confidentiality directive should be in writing in the listing contract (or an addendum or amendment thereto) or on a copy of an agency disclosure form, per the WRA Legal Hotline.

-Attention BlackBerry eKEY Users: Please do not upgrade to the new 7.1 version of the BlackBerry operating system, as the eKEY is not yet compatible with this version.

-Giving the Selling Office Credit: We have been receiving an increasing number of reports that listing companies are recording either themselves or the wrong selling office as the selling side of a transaction. When changing a property to sold, please double check that the correct selling agent and selling office are selected. If you select a selling agent and the wrong office autofills, this is probably because the agent has transferred to a new office since the closing. In this case, please select the broker of the actual selling office as it is important that the correct office be listed.

-When entering data for a new listing, please do not abbreviate fields like Condo Project Name, Subdivision Name, or Lake/River Name as these fields are often used in searches. If a Realtor is including one of these fields in their search and they type in the complete name, and you have abbreviated it, your listing may get missed. We have set these fields up as “contains search” fields to help alleviate this problem, but even a contains search will miss certain abbreviations. For example, if you have entered Metropolitan or Metropolitan Pl instead of Metropolitan Place, and a Realtor searching for these condos spells out Metropolitan Place, your listing will be missed.  On the flipside, if you are searching using these non-pick list fields, please keep in mind that the listing agent may have abbreviated. In the case of Metropolitan Place, you may want to search just Metropolitan.

-Do you find yourself wasting time looking for the reports you like within Paragon? You have the ability to control the order reports display for printing and email. When looking at a list of search matches, click on the green Reports drop down on the right. Locate the reports you like best and left click, hold, and drag them one by one up to favorites. This new order will now come up within this reports drop down as well as the print plus reports list and the email list of reports.

-If you assign a keybox to a listing within SupraWEB (http://supraweb.suprakim.com/), you can view showing activity for that listing. If you have never logged on to SupraWEB before, you will need to set up an account – click on “How to get access”. Once you have logged on, select Listings (at top). Administrators can maintain all keyboxes for their entire office. Call the MLS for instruction (608.240.2800 - press 2 for Supra).

December 2011

-Do you or a client have a property to rent? Do you have a client that needs a place to rent? Paragon includes a rental add and search program. Residential rentals can be added by clicking on Listings – Rental. To search for rentals click on Search – Rental. All Paragon users have access to add rentals. Access to the add rental module is not restricted in the same fashion as adding a property for sale. Rentals can be added for 6 months at a time. Click here for a copy of the Rental Profile Sheet.

-Associated documents as attached in Paragon can be set as either Public or Private. By default, associated documents are set as Private. If you would like your document to be available when your listing is emailed to a client, you need to mark it Public. Within the Associated Documents maintenance window, there is a check box for Public. Check this box for documents that are appropriate for the public. Also, when entering the description for your document, please remember your audience includes the public.

-We received this email from a fellow Realtor looking for help in finding a property for her buyer:
"Relocation referred a client to me who needs a home to move into following a leg amputation. I am so frustrated by the number of agents who don't bother to note if there is a walk in shower, level entry, open floor plan, etc. I am doing my best to help these clients find a home in a short period of time under extremely stressful conditions that I cannot even begin to imagine. Please check your listings to make sure you have checked the appropriate boxes regarding barrier free and accessibility. Even the simple things like first floor bedroom and bath would be so helpful. Thank you. “

-New Listing Feature: Access to Basement has been added as a new feature choice under Garage within Single Family. Please add this feature if your listing has it.

-Is the Map Correct on your Listings? - If your listing is not mapped correctly, it may be missed if an agent is searching by map. Please make it part of your routine to always check the map placement when adding a new listing. If the map placement is not correct, you can adjust it under Listing Maintain - Change GeoCode. When the map displays under maintain, click on the green Set Location button in the lower left corner and then click once on the map where the property should be located. Switching to an aerial view and using the zoom feature helps to pinpoint the exact location. Click Save to save your changes.

-Realtors Property Resource (RPR) is Live in our Market – The National Association of Realtors® exclusive online real estate library is now available free to members in the South Central and Rock Green MLS markets. This resource can be accessed at www.narrpr.com. Click here for more information and web-based training links.

-If you are still seeing the User Preferences Wizard when you login, and do not want to complete the wizard, click on the "Don't show again" option in the lower left corner of the window then click close in the upper right.

New Listing Features: Boat Slip and Pond have been added as new feature choices under Waterfront. Boatslip/Pier was already available for condos under Condo Common Amenities.

-Did you know you can track the number of times your listings are viewed within Paragon? For each of your listings you can see how many times an agent has viewed a full detail report with Paragon (Agent Hit Count), and the number of times a consumer has clicked on a link sent to them via an email (Client Hit Count). To access this information, pull up your listings by MLS number or by clicking My Info on the Market Monitor. After your listings load in a spreadsheet view, click on Spreadsheets under the Reports drop down on the right. From the list of Spreadsheets, click on Hit Count Spreadsheet. You can reset the hit counts at anytime for your listings by clicking Listings - Maintain - and Reset Counts under the OpenHouse/Tour/HitCount section within Maintain.

-Attention Paragon Mobile Users: The new url for the Paragon Mobile site is http://scwmls.mobile.paragonrels.com.

September 2011

-There is a clock inside each keybox that controls when the box can be opened (timed access) and also registers and reports the time of showings. If you have a keybox that is not opening during times it should (7 a.m. – 10 p.m. during Daylight Savings and 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. during Central Standard Time) or is reporting the wrong time for showings, you need to reset the time on this keybox. To do this, simply open the shackle of the keybox. When you open the shackle of a keybox, the time from your keycard is transferred to the keybox. The time on your keycard is checked and synced each time it updates via a cell tower or via a USB cable update.

-Associated documents can be set to be automatically included when your listing is emailed from Paragon. Within the Associated Documents maintenance window, there is a check box for Public. Check this box only for documents that are appropriate for the public. Also, when entering the description for your document, please remember your audience includes the public. Please note that the public box is not marked by default.

-Recent Keycard Violations: We have had two recent complaints from sellers that Realtors have shown property without waiting for confirmation. In addition to being a violation of the SCWMLS Rules and your keycard agreement, entering a property without permission is trespassing and is against the law. MLS sanctions for this offense include fines to both the agent and to their broker, and may result in loss of keycard privileges. MLS sanctions may be the least of your worries if a seller decides to press criminal charges. PLEASE, call for an appointment and WAIT for confirmation before showing properties.

-Single Family Zoned Multi Family - A recent rule change now allows single unit properties that are zoned multi-family to be listed within the Multi-Family class within Paragon. A new pick list item, Single Unit Zoned Multi-Family, has been added under the Type feature pick list for these types of property. If a single unit property that is zoned multi family is entered under the Multi-Family class, it cannot also be entered under the Single Family class.

For the last year, a group of your fellow Realtors have been busy testing the next version of Paragon. We are now at a point where most of the bugs have been worked out and we are comfortable opening up access to all. Paragon 5 is compatible with not only Internet Explorer, but also with Firefox, Safari, Chrome, Opera and the iPad. Paragon 5 shares the same database as Paragon 4, which allows members to bounce back and forth between the old and the new while they get comfortable with the new. Paragon 5 supports multi-tasking via tabs which allows you to be more efficient.

A tentative date of October 10 has been set for the sunset of Paragon 4. You are welcome to begin using Paragon 5 at your convenience. The url for Paragon 5 is http://scwmls.paragonrels.com. Use the same login name and password you use for Paragon 4.

Within the red section at the top of the home page you will find links to training videos, quick start guides and webinars. Hands-on classes at the MLS office have been scheduled starting the week of August 1. A link to the training schedule can be found on the Paragon 5 homepage. Paragon 5 is quite similar to Paragon 4, and you may find you need no additional training.

Please don't wait until the last minute to familiarize yourself with Paragon 5. Allowing yourself some time will make for a much easier transition.

Photo Reminders:

-At least one photo is required for all listings except vacant land, commercial property, and new construction. A photo must be loaded within 7 days of listing input. Offices will be billed $50 if the MLS has to send its photographer out to take a photo.

-No photos of bodies of water are allowed unless the view is visible from the property, or from deeded access.

-Photos should not contain office/agent names, logos, or contact information. If it is not possible to take a photo without including the for sale sign, the contact information on the sign must be edited out.

-It is against MLS rules and copyright law to copy another agent’s photos for use on your listing without permission. Those submitting photos with the knowledge that they do not have the right to use said photos will be subject to a fine of $25 per photo in addition to any legal remedies available to the owner of the photos.

-Realtor.com only pulls the first 4 photos from Paragon unless you have purchased a package from them, so put the best 4 first.

New Green Features Added:
Under Heating/Cooling for Single Family and Condo
-In floor radiant heat
-Geothermal
-Whole house fan
Under Interior Features for Single Family and Condo
-Tankless Water Heater
Under Energy Efficient/Green Features for Single Family and Condo
-Low E Windows
-Recycled/Reclaimed content
-Low VOC materials
Under Energy Efficient/Green Features for Multi Family
-Low E Windows
-Recycled/Reclaimed content
-Low VOC materials
-In floor radiant heat
-Geothermal
-Whole house fan
-Tankless water heater

If you select any features under the Energy Efficient/Green Features section, please complete the Energy Efficient/Green Associated Document which can be found here.

-Electronic Consent Y/N:  A new optional Yes/No field has been added to the MLS Profile Sheets and to the add listings screens in Paragon for Electronic Consent.  Indicate Yes if your seller has consented to the use of email as a means to deliver documents and written notices related to their transaction.  This new Yes/No field can be found in the section with the other Yes/No questions such as Named Exceptions.  The preferred email address for this delivery should be included in the Broker-to-Broker Remarks.  For a copy of what needs to be sent to the seller to authorize electronic consent, click here.   Updated profile sheets can be found here.

May 2011

-Agent Access to Update Assessments/Taxes:  Users with standard agent level security can now update the assessment and tax fields on their listings within Paragon.   In addition to assessments and taxes, agents can maintain photos, virtual tours, associated documents, map location, public remarks, showing instructions, open house date/time, and broker open date/time/comments for all their listings. 

-Marinette County Listings added to WIREX:  Listings from the Marinette County MLS have recently been added to WIREX.  Some of the communities covered include Crivitz, Marinette, Peshtigo, and Menomonie, MI.  1,300 active listings and 4,000+ sales were added.   Select WIREX at login or click the MLS Switcher at the top of the Paragon screen to search the WIREX database.  Click here for an updated WIREX coverage map.

-Do you WIREX?   There are currently 96,000+ active listings in the WIREX database from 7 separate MLSs as follows:  Metro Milwaukee 33,400, South Central WI 21,800, Northeast WI 17,400,  Northwest WI 11,000, Western WI 5,600, Central WI  5,500, Marinette 1,300.

-eKey (Blackberry, Droid, IPhone) Hot Tip: To avoid functionality issues out in the field, be sure to update your eKEY software before you start your day.  
       Blackberry users - Open the application - press your menu button - choose Update Key. 
       Droid/iPhone users - Open the application - choose the Update icon. 
The software will then update automatically and let you know that your key has been updated.  

April 2011

-MLS Billing Statements E-Mailed:  MLS billing statements were sent via e-mail last week to offices that did not request to receive a mailed copy.  This is a new process being done to cut expenses.  If you did not receive your March MLS billing statement (which includes second quarter dues) via e-mail or postal mail, please contact Kristine at kristine@wisre.com or 608.240.2800 x 303.

-Updated 2011 Madison Area/Subarea Map:  The 2011 version of the MLS Madison Area/Subarea Wall Map is now available.  Each MLS office and branch office is entitled to one free copy of this map.  There were no Area/Subarea reassignments for this update, but streets added within the City of Madison since the last printing (2008) have been added.  If you would like an updated copy of this map, please stop by the MLS office Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.  The cost for additional maps is $15 each.   

-Using MLS Statistics in Marketing:  If you use MLS statistics in your marketing, you must include the following to describe the data your representations are based on:
-A description of the type of property included (single family, condo, multi-family, waterfront, etc.)
-The geography of the listings included (Dane County, City of Madison, All South Central WI MLS)
-The period of time covered (December of 2010, 2010, First Quarter of 2011)
-Notice that the source of the data is the South Central WI MLS

-New Listing Feature Options Added:  The following selections have been added to the feature lists within Paragon.   If you have a listing that has one of these features, please add it.  These additions will be added to the profile sheets the next time they are modified.  

-Condo - FHA/VA Approved under Terms/Misc.
-Lots & Acreage - Farm under Type (Farm Associated Doc required)
-Lots & Acreage - In Existing Condo Plat under Type
-Rural/USDA has been added as a new type of financing for sold properties. 

-ActiveKey HotTip:  If your ActiveKey stops updating automatically, please reset it by sticking the end of a paperclip in the little bitty not clearly marked hole on the back of the card.  Why they don't make this reset more obvious is beyond me!

-Is your Supra ActiveKey updating automatically?   If the answer is NO, we may have a solution for you.  The newest version of the ActiveKey is updating automatically in areas where previous versions of the key did not.   If you currently rely on calling in to update your keycard because it is not automatically updating, it is important that you call us for a replacement.  Beginning in April, you will no longer be able to call in for keycard updates more than two consecutive times.   This change is being done to improve the accuracy of showing reports available within the keycard system.   Currently, only keys that update via a cell tower or thru a USB cable connection are included in showing reports.  Stop by (no appt necessary) to get a replacement ActiveKey if your key has never updated (or has stopped updating) via the cell towers. Contact Marian @ 608-240-2800 or email marian@wisre.com if you have any questions.

-MLS Remarks:   The MLS Public Remarks are reserved for information about the property.  Verbiage that includes the directive to contact someone, or the inclusion of contact information for the listing agent/office or anyone else is not allowed.   This restriction also applies to photos, virtual tours, and public associated documents include on the MLS.  Contact information can be included in the Broker-to-Broker Remarks and the Wisconsinhomes.com Remarks. 

-Disclosing Limited Service - Please remember that a Limited Service listing is an agreement under which the listing broker will not provide one or more of the services listed below.  Even if just one of these is not being offered, you must answer the Limited Service question as Yes, and attach the required Limited Service Disclosure Form as an Associated Document. 

- Arrange showings
-Accept and present offers
-Advise on the merits of the offer
-Assist with counter offers
-Participate in negotiations on the seller's behalf
-Schedule and coordinate the closing
-Order title insurance
-Hold earnest money

-Disclosing Licensee Interest:    If you, as the listing agent, have a personal interest in a property you have listed on the MLS, you must answer "yes" to the Licensee Interest Y/N question.  Licensee interest would apply if you are acting on your own behalf, on behalf of your immediate family, on behalf of your firm, or on behalf of any other organization or business entity in which you have an interest.   Answering "yes" alerts the agent working with the buyer that you have a personal interest in the transaction, so that further disclosure, as required by license law, can be included should an offer to purchase be written.   In addition, it is helpful if you include the nature of your interest in the private broker-to-broker remarks so that the agent writing the offer can include the appropriate disclosure language.

January 2011

-The MLS Committee makes decisions about changes to Paragon, the keycard system, and MLS rules.  If you would like to discuss an item you feel would make our MLS better, please feel free to contact a member of the MLS Committee.  Contact information for the 2011 MLS Committee can be found here.   MLS staff is also available to discuss MLS services with you, but we recognize that sometimes it is easier to talk to a fellow Realtor.   

-Use your Smartphone to open keyboxes -- If you have a Blackberry, Android phone, or iPhone, you can eliminate your ActiveKey and use your Smartphone as your keycard.  The annual fee to use the MLS keybox system is the same for ActiveKey users and Smartphone users.   There is an up front fee of approximately $50 to purchase the adapter that turns your Smartphone into a keycard, but you get your $50 deposit on your ActiveKey back...so it is a wash!   If you would like to upgrade, PLEASE contact the MLS (240-2800 or marian@wisre.com) to SCHEDULE an upgrade appointment.  An upgrade takes about 25 minutes.    

-WIREX Update:  We have recently loaded listings for Western Wisconsin MLS into WIREX.   This includes 57,000+ listings (5,200 actives plus off markets back to July of 2005) located north and west of Eau Claire up to Hayward and over to the Minnesota border.  Click the MLS Switcher above or select WIREX at login to search statewide MLS listings.

-Checking for Listings not Mapped - Searching by map has become very popular.  If your listing is not mapped correctly, it may be missed if an agent is searching by map.   Please make it part of your routine to always check the map placement when adding a new listing.  You can either select the blue M from an agent full or select one of the views with a map.  If the map placement is not correct, you can adjust it under Listing Maintain.  For a list of all your properties (or all properties in your office if you have administrative access) that are currently not mapped at all, click on Listings and Missing Geocode Search.  From the list that displays, you can only fix one listing at a time via the Change Geocode link at the top.   Click the grey Map It button next to the address that most closely matches the listing.  When the map displays you can fine tune the placement by clicking once on the map where the property should be located.  Note there is a Zoom feature that will help in your placement.  Click Save & Close above the map to save your changes.   There are currently over 2800 active listings that do not have a map associated with them in Paragon.  That means over 2800 active listings do not come up as matches when searching by map.  Please check your listings.  

-Is Your Listing Being Missed?    When entering a new listing into Paragon, please select all the features that apply.  If you select just 2 car garage, for instance, and do not indicate attached, your listing will not come up as a match if a search is done for homes with a 2-car attached garage.   Also, please do not use Call School District in place of school names unless the school district cannot provide you with specific schools.  Again, if a search is done including a specific school, and you have Call School District entered instead of the actual school name, your listing will be missed.   If you have not done so already, you may want to bookmark this helpful link to school district phone numbers. 

-Your Android Smartphone can now be used as your Supra key.  A free eKEY application is now available to download from the Android Market.  A FOB is required to make the Android phone work as an eKEY.  Call the SCWMLS to reserve your FOB or order directly from Supra via this FOB order form.  Once you have the eKEY application loaded and your FOB, please call the SCWMLS to schedule an upgrade appointment.  The upgrade process can take up to 25 minutes.  Call (608) 240-2800 or email marian@wisre.com with questions or to schedule your upgrade appointment.   Android OS 2.1 required. 

-Listing Status Reminders:  If you are no longer allowing showings due to an offer, your listing must be moved to Pending status.  If you are not able to show a property for some other reason, but still have a valid listing contract on that listing, you can either move your listing to Withdrawn status, or it may remain as Active if it will be available for showings at a later date.   If you opt to keep it Active, a notation in the first line of the Remarks section indicating the date it will be available for showings must be included.  If you release your seller from their contract early, or no longer have a valid contract (as in the case of a foreclosure), you should change the listing in Paragon to Expired.  

- Unsure about whether the home you just listed is a bi-level or raised ranch?  Do you want to know what the difference is between a bungalow and a Cape Cod? How about condos- what is a garden and how is it different from a townhouse style?  Check out the Home Style Guide on the MLS website under Resources for answers to these and many other questions, including how to measure square footage the right way . 

-Better Photo Quality:  We are pleased to announce that the maximum file size for photos uploaded directly into Paragon has been increased from 32k per photo to 150k per photo. Resolution should continue to be the 640x480 standard, but with the increase in file size allowed, higher quality photos should be able to be obtained by utilizing any equal aspect ratio of that standard (i.e. 640x480, 1280x960, 1920x1440). 

October 2010

-The Agent Full report includes all the information and links to additional info needed for a showing agent.   What it does not include is the listing side information such as marketing information (i.e. other market area & internet Y/N) and showing instructions for those using the MLS-sponsored ShowingTime Appointment Center.   We have created a new report called All Fields-For Office to combine the Agent Full report and listing side information. This new two-page report can be found under the Detail Report section of Available Reports. We hope this new report will be a helpful tool for listing office staff.

Paragon mobile can be found at http://scwmls.mobile.fnismls.com

-Under the Type feature for Single Family and the Style feature for Condo, a new choice has been added for Building Plans with Lot.  Please use this feature if you are marketing a building contract with a lot.  The MLS does not allow building contracts to be marketed unless a lot is included.  In addition, only one building plan can be marketed per lot. 

-If your office uses the MLS-sponsored ShowingTime Appointment Center, you may now enter your showing instructions at the same time you enter your listings in Paragon.  This information will be automatically sent to the ShowingTime Appointment Center software.  Revised MLS Profile Sheets can be found here.   If you do not currently subscribe to the ShowingTime Appointment Center, please skip over the MLS/ShowingTime Appointment Center information on the profile sheet and within that section during the add listing process. 

-If your property is an REO (Real Estate Owned, which is how banks carry a property acquired through foreclosure on their books), PLEASE include the REO feature located under Terms/Misc.  Fannie/Freddie require that REO properties be scrutinized for their effect on the market as they often sell for a lower price due to their liquidation status.  If an REO property is not marked as such, it may go through valuation channels as a "normal" sale which could lower the market value for an area, especially if there are multiple REOs in one area.  

-New Statistical Graphs Available:  The MLS is now publishing four new statistical graphs as part of a monthly composite of statistics.  The new graphs track the number sales, the median sale price, total inventory, and the month's supply of inventory by month for the last two years for Dane County and for the combined eight-county South Central Wisconsin MLS region.  The statistical composite also includes a statistical narrative, monthly and year-to-date sales figures and sales by price range and bedrooms.   You can find this Monthly Statistical Reports icon on the right panel of the www.scwmls.com home page.   

-Your Agent Profile on the New Realtor.com:   Before the new Realtor.com goes live, you may want to take a few minutes to set up your agent profile.  All members now have the opportunity to set up a Profile Page under the Find A Realtor search on the beta version of Realtor.com.  You can upload a photo, include an "About Me" paragraph, identify designations/certifications/specializations, interface with social networking links such as Facebook, and provide listing metrics.  Go to www.beta.realtor.com, click on the Find Realtors tab, and search for yourself.   Click on your name and then click through to the Control Panel to update your profile.   Our MLS is listed as Madison within the pick list.  You will also need your MLS ID which can be found within Paragon under Membership.   If you have any difficulties setting up your profile, please contact Realtor.com directly.

-Cooperative Commission Reminder: The Rules and Regulations of the SCWMLS state that the compensation specified on listings filed with the SCWMLS shall appear in one of two forms - either as a percentage of the gross selling price or as a definite dollar amount.  Offers of compensation made through the SCWMS that are other than a percentage of the gross sales price or flat dollar amount, such as a notice that commission will be based on the selling price less any credits from seller to buyer for prepaid expenses or closing costs, are not binding upon the cooperating broker unless there is a mutual agreement between the listing broker and cooperating broker. Best practices suggest that such agreements be in writing and define key terms - such as "prepaid expenses" and "closing costs."

-Change to Customer Reports:  In response to member requests, we have removed the assessment amounts from the customer reports in Paragon.  The land, improvements, and total assessments are still available on the Agent Full report.   

-Attention iPhone Users:  The eKEY for the iPhone is now available.  Turn your iPhone into a lockbox key and eliminate your current ActiveKEY.  Call the MLS or email marian@wisre.com for more information or to schedule an appointment for your upgrade.   

-Did you know you can track the number of times your listings are viewed within Paragon?  For each of your listings you can see how many times an agent has viewed a full detail report with Paragon (Agent Hit Count), and the number of times a consumer has clicked on a link sent to them via an email (Client Hit Count).  To access this information, pull up your listings by MLS number or by clicking My Listings under the Inventory section of the Market Monitor on the Paragon home page.  After your listings load in a spreadsheet view, click on Spreadsheets under the Available Reports on the right.  From the list of Spreadsheets, click on Hit Count Spreadsheet. 

- Notification of Potential Short Sale:  The SCWMLS does not mandate that a listing broker disclose that there is a potential for a short sale situation.   However, if disclosure is not made, the cooperating broker is entitled to rely upon the amount of commission specified by the listing broker in the MLS upon submitting an offer to purchase.   If the listing broker does disclose a short sale potential, they should also consider indicating in the broker-to-broker comments how any reduction in commission required by the lender as a condition of approving the sale would be apportioned between the listing and cooperating brokers.  The timing of the communication to the cooperating broker once the listing broker is made aware of a reduction was recently clarified in the SCWMLS rules.  The listing broker must disclose to the cooperating broker in writing the total reduction in gross commission and the amount by which the compensation payable to the cooperating broker will be reduced within 3 business days of notification from the lender. 

- Turn off automatic showing notifications to extend your ActiveKEY's battery life.  To disable Showing Notifications, press the on/off button on your ActiveKEY. Scroll to Preferences and press Enter. Press 1 for Notification. If notifications is turned ON, Press 2 to turn notifications off and then press Enter.

- Are You Updating Your Remarks?  There are listings on Paragon that still reference the $8,000 Tax Credit.  There are also some that say things like "no showings until June 30th".  When you put time specific references in your remarks, please update those remarks when circumstances change.  

-Northwest Wisconsin Listings added to WIREX:  Listings from the Northwestern Wisconsin MLS have been added to WIREX.  Communities covered include Eau Claire, Menomonie, Chippewa Falls, down to Black River Falls, and up past Rice Lake to Hayward and Cable.   Click the MLS Switcher above to search the WIREX database.  Click here for an updated WIREX coverage map.

Do you WIREX? There are currently 97,000+ active listings in the WIREX database from 5 separate MLSs as follows:
           Metro Milwaukee: 36,000
           South Central WI: 24,500
           Northeast WI: 18,500
           Northwest WI: 12,000
           Central WI: 6,000   

-Keep your Supra ActiveKEY Cool:  Your ActiveKEY is designed to operate in temperatures between -4° and 131°F. Low or high temperature conditions can shorten battery life or cause an ActiveKEY to malfunction. For maximum battery life, DO NOT leave an ActiveKEY in hot environments, including a car, because temperatures in parked cars can exceed this range.  If you see the following message on your ActiveKEY: MAXTEMP EXCEEDED SAFE MODE ON, your key has reached a high temperature and cannot be used until it cools down.

-Open Houses on Realtor.com:  Open House date and time as entered in Paragon now display on listings within Relator.com.   To load Open House information, open the OPEN HOUSE/TOUR section of the listing input screen and add the appropriate date and times.  

-Keycard Reminders:
-  Each Key is assigned to an individual (not an office or team)
-  Your key may not be shared with others
-  You may not borrow someone else's key

There is only one exception to these rules.  If your key is not functioning properly, or if you have lost your key, you may temporarily borrow your Broker/Manager's key until you can secure a replacement.  If you do not have your own key, you may never borrow a key, not even from your Broker/manager.   Please be aware that keycard violations are subject to disciplinary action with fines up to $1,000 and possible loss of key privileges.

-Are you thinking of switching to eKEY service, from your current ActiveKEY?  If so, please schedule an appointment with our staff (call 608.240.2800 or email kristine@wisre.com)   You may not even need to physically come to our office as the eKEY software can be downloaded. From your smartphone, go to - www.ekeymobile.com for either Palm or Windows Mobile options. The FOB (if you have a Blackberry) order form can be found here or you can order your FOB thru us when you call to schedule an appointment.

-A field for agent fax number has been added to the agent full report.  If you have a personal fax number you would like displayed on your listings, please email your fax number to support@wisre.com.   Our membership database has had this field for awhile, but we were unable to display it on custom reports until now.  There are over 500 agents that over time have provided their personal fax number.  If you have ever reported a fax number to us, please check one of your listings to be sure it displays your current fax number.  If you don't know if you have ever reported a fax number to us, please check one of your listings.   The fax number appears along with listing agent name, phone, email, etc. at the bottom of the agent full report. 

-Start your remarks with something like "Only 2 miles east of the City of Sun Prairie." Most of the public websites, including just recently Realtor.com, include the remarks section of your listing.  

-If the street number of your rural listing begins with an alpha character, do not move the alpha character to the street direction field. The W or N before the street number is part of the street number, not a street direction. This is very important for correct mapping placement.

New Auction Form:  The mandatory associated document for auctions has been updated to better accommodate online auctions, and to indicate the type of auction.  Please begin using this new form for all properties being sold via an auction.   The most recent MLS profile sheets and mandatory associated documents (auction, limited service, farm) can always be found by clicking on MLS Documents at the top of the screen.  Profile sheets are also available within ZipForms and can be completed electronically there. 

-Realtor.com is now including a free Foreclosure badge on all properties from our MLS that are marked as REO.  If you have a property that has been foreclosed on, please make sure you select REO under the Terms pick list to take advantage of this new marketing badge.

-MLS Rule Reminder:   A new listing contract must be obtained before re-entering an existing listing into the MLS as new.  If the MLS discovers a new listing contract was not obtained, the new listing will be deleted and the listing broker will be fined $50.  It is not acceptable to draft only an amendment to create a new MLS listing. 

-Craig's List Alert:  We have received notice that an MLS listed property was again posted for rent on Craig's List by a bogus party.   The party posting on Craig's List tries to get an interested renter to give them a credit card number in order to process a security deposit.    If you find your property is being advertised falsely for rent, report it as a scam to Craig's List and request that it be removed immediately.   In addition, please call the Madison Police Department (245-3662) and reference police report 2010-113504. 

-Another Scam:  A member reported that a man (young, thin, approximately 5'6", dark hair) wrote a cash offer on a  vacant Madison property.   This man lied about who he was and had no means to purchase the property.   A police report (10-112-375) has been filed with the Madison Police Department.

-Photo Hot Tip:  When loading photos into Paragon, please remember that Realtor.com only takes the first 4 photos, so put your best 4 first. 

-New Total Bath Search Option:  On February 11, the four digit bath field as we knew it was removed from Paragon, and a minimum and maximum Full Bath field was added as a search parameter in its place.   After that change, we received calls requesting the ability to be able to search for Half Baths along with Full Baths.  Because Full Baths and Half Baths were separate fields, when a Half Bath was included in search parameter along with Full Baths, homes that had no half baths but had over the minimum number of full baths requested would not come up.  We have fixed this by adding a new Minimum and Maximum Total Bath field for searching.  These fields are set up to accept 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, etc.  For example, if you are looking for a home with at least one full and one half bath, enter 1.5 in the Minimum Total Bath field.   

March 2010

-New MLS Rule:  At their March meeting, the MLS Board of Directors approved the following in regards to MLS Remarks.  This new rule will take effect on Monday, April 5.  

If, in the judgment of the SCWMLS Board of Directors, the information contained in a property profile entered into the SCWMLS system displays content or links to other sources that contain content that is illegal, obscene, indecent, disparaging, discriminating or otherwise offensive, the listing broker shall have 2 business days to remove this content or link(s). In the event that listing broker fails to comply with this obligation, the property shall be deleted from the system by the SCWMLS.

-Expanded Agent Access to Maintain Listings:  In the past, the standard agent level security in Paragon allowed agents to add photos, add virtual tours, add associated documents, and modify the map location for their listed properties.  These options are available by clicking Listings and Maintain Listings from the Paragon Menu Bar.  On Wednesday, security on the following fields were opened up so agents can maintain them on their own listings:

Under the Remarks Section
-MLS Remarks
-Additional Wisconsinhomes.com Remarks 

Under the Open House/Tour Section
-Showing Instructions
-Open House Date and Time
-Broker Open House Date, Time and Comments

Please remember that MLS Remarks are limited to information about the property.  Comments regarding company or self promotion are not allowed in MLS Remarks.

Also, please note that after the date has passed for an open house or broker open, Paragon automatically deletes the date, time and comments.  You do not have to delete past open house information

-If you have a home listed that has a first floor bedroom and/or bathroom, please indicate this under the Barrier Free Feature.  Even if you do not consider the property to be "barrier free" in other respects, having a first floor bedroom and/or bath may be "barrier free" enough for certain buyers, such as seniors.

Is There Really a Water View?  In response to recent complaints, the MLS Board of Directors clarified the following in our rules regarding photos allowed on MLS listings:    No photos of bodies of water are allowed unless the view is visible from the property, or from deeded access. 

-To facilitate easier searching for properties that have only one dwelling unit, but are being used for student housing and allow unrelated occupants, a new feature under Terms/Misc has been added for Zoned Multi-Family. 

-New Open House Y/N Search Option:   If you enter an open house date and time for your listing, a yes will automatically be triggered in a new Open House Y/N field. You can now set up auto emails for prospects looking for open houses. The Open House Y/N search field can be found on the Advanced Criteria tab along with the open house date. You can still search by open house date, but dates are not able to be stored in auto searches, hence the reason for the new Yes/No field. The Yes flag will be automatically flipped to No when the open house date is passed. 

-Craig's List Alert:  We have received notice that a vacant MLS listed property was again posted for rent on Craig's List by a bogus party.  If you have a vacant property listed, you may want to check to be sure it is not posted on Craig's List.  If you find your property is being advertised falsely for rent, report it as a scam to Craig's List and request that it be removed immediately. 

-Data Conversion and Profile Sheet Changes:   On 2/11, three quarter baths were combined with full baths, and Total Baths were replaced with a Full Bath search option (click here for details).  If you have prospects that have specified a certain number of bathrooms, you will need to update the criteria for those prospects.  A new field for Mailing City (to be used for data exports to websites) and several new features have also been added. Click here for updated profile sheets. 

-Age Reminder:   Properties that are less than a year old should be entered with an age of 0.   If you do not know the age of a property, and cannot find it recorded in public records, enter 999 which represents Unknown.  

-The MLS requires that closings be reported to the MLS within 10 calendar days of the closing.   If a closing is not reported within 10 calendar days, the broker is subject to a late fee of $5 per day up to $25.   MLS staff has not gone looking for solds reported late in the past, but in light of recent complaints, we have unfortunately had to re-assign staff to check for solds reported late, and will follow up with late fees of $5 per day invoiced to the broker. In addition, if an office falsifies the closing date to avoid this penalty, that office is subject to a $100 penalty on top of the $5 per day fee. Please report your closings within 10 days so we don't have to fine you. 

-We are grateful to have building contracts included in our MLS data.  They are very helpful for appraisers and for Realtors doing market analysis.  If you would like to enter your building contract, please wait until after it closes, and then enter it directly into sold (choose sold rather than active).  Enter the actual list date, accepted offer date, and closing date.  Please note that only building contracts with land included are allowed in the MLS.

If you have a building plan (with land) or a property under construction listed as active, please make sure you update the property characteristics (square footage changes, lower level finish, deck addition, etc.) when they change.  If you end up making additions, please remember to update the list price as well.   Please note that you must include the estimated completion date for all properties under construction within the first line of the public remarks. 

-The MLS Committee makes decisions about changes to Paragon, the keycard system, and MLS rules.  If you would like to discuss an item you feel would make our MLS better, please feel free to contact a member of the MLS Committee.  Contact information for the 2010 MLS Committee can be found here.   MLS staff is also available to discuss MLS services with you, but we recognize that sometimes it is easier to talk to a fellow Realtor.   

-Recent contract negotiations with GE have resulted in the waiver of eKEY Basic Fees.   If you are interested in using a smartphone or PDA to open keyboxes, click here.    Attention Blackberry users: a FOB is required to create infrared capabilities.  Click here for a FOB order form.  You must have your FOB in hand before you can upgrade to an eKEY. 

December 2009

-Central Wisconsin MLS Listings added to WIREX:  Listings for the Central Wisconsin MLS (Stevens Point, Marshfield, Wausau, Wisconsin Rapids areas) have been added to WIREX.   WIREX now contains listings from Central WI, Metro Milwaukee, Northeast WI and South Central WI MLSs.  The WIREX database is available via the login drop down or the MLS Switcher at the top of the Paragon screen.

-Kevin King Returns as RASCW/SCWMLS EVP  -- We are excited to announce that Kevin King has agreed to come back to serve as the Executive Vice President of the Realtors Association of South Central Wisconsin and the South Central Wisconsin MLS.  For those of you who do not know Kevin, he has served as the WRA General Counsel for the last 3 ½  years, and before that was our EVP for 10 years.   We are looking forward to having him back!   Kevin will be honoring commitments for the WRA through February 15^th, and will start as our EVP on February 16.    If you have a chance to talk to Kevin, please welcome him back. 

-Is there a report that will help me fill out the Fannie Mae Form 1004MC?   Yes, after performing a search for comparables, click on Specialty Views and select the Market Conditions Addendum Report.  

-If you have listed a property that is an REO or will result in a Short Sale, please indicate such by selecting the appropriate choice under the Terms Feature.  We often see properties marketed as an REO or Short Sale in the remarks, but the listing does not include this choice under the Features. Most agents use the Feature pick lists when searching, not the Remarks. 

USE OF THE TERMS MLS AND MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE: No MLS participant, subscriber, or licensee affiliated with any participant shall, through the name of their firm, their URLs, their e-mail addresses, their website addresses, or in any other way represent, suggest, or imply that the individual or firm is an MLS, or that they operate an MLS.  Participants, subscribers and licensees affiliated with participants shall not represent, suggest, or imply that consumers or others have direct access to MLS databases, or that consumers or others are able to search MLS databases available only to participants and subscribers.  This does not prohibit participants and subscribers from representing that any information they are authorized under MLS rules to provide to clients or customers is available on their websites or otherwise.

-If your website uses the property search from the framable version of wisconsinhomes.com, it is important that you check your site today.  We have switched over to an updated version of wisconsinhomes.com, and your frame may need to be adjusted.   Most framed websites will need to be at least slightly adjusted.  

Automatically Email Associated Documents - You can now set your associated documents to be automatically included when a listing is emailed from Paragon.   Within the Associated Documents maintenance window, you will now see a check box for Public.  Check this box only for documents that are appropriate for the public.  Also, when entering the description for your document, please remember your audience includes the public.   If you would like to make any of the documents on your current listings public, simply go to Associated Documents Maintenance and check the new Public box.

Website Reminder:    If you have a website that allows the public to search for properties, please double check to be sure the property search button does not say something like Search MLS.  MLS rules state, "There should be no statements or graphics that imply the viewer is searching the MLS." 

Important:  There was a problem with maintaining listings Friday morning.   PLEASE verify changes made to listings from 6:00 Thursday night to 10:00 Friday morning, to be sure your changes were saved.  This problem was sporadic so most changes were saved, but unfortunately some were not.  We are very sorry for any inconvenience this has or will cause. 

More Info on Recent ActiveKEY Firmware Update:  We have just been informed that while adding battery saving features with the lastest version of firmware, GE also removed the option to turn the radio on and off.  In the past, we recommended that you turn off the radio to conserve battery.  When your radio was off, however, your ActiveKEY could not update automatically via cell tower.  Hopefully you are finding that the new battery saving features recently added will be more effective than turning the radio off. 

ACTIVEKEY UPDATE: A new version of ActiveKEY firmware that includes several improvements relating to battery performance was downloaded to keys last week. ActiveKEYs that update automatically via cell towers should now be updated. Those that do not update automatically will need to perform a manual sync with the USB cable connection to get the update (which will take 3 to 5 minutes).  For instructions on how to set up a manual sync for your Key, click here 

-If you are looking for a quick way to send an email to all your prospects at the same time, click on the Compose E-mail button above the menu bar on the Paragon home page.  Click on the To link to pull up a list of your prospects. Here you can either move each email address over separately, filter for just a group of Prospects, or click on All to move them all at once.   If you don't want your prospects to see that you have sent your message to many, you can put your own email address in the To field, and use the Bcc field for your prospects. 

-Craig's List Alert:  We have received notice that a vacant MLS listed property was posted for rent on Craig's List by a bogus party.  If you have a vacant property listed, you may want to check to be sure it is not posted on Craig's List.  The City of Sun Prairie Police Department (837-7336) has an open case (SP09-16422) on this posting.

-Listing Status Reminders:  If you are no longer allowing showings due to an offer, your listing must be moved to Pending status.  If you are not able to show a property for some other reason, but still have a valid listing contract on that listing, you can either move your listing to Withdrawn status, or it may remain as Active if it will be available for showings at a later date.   If you opt to keep it Active, a notation in the FIRST LINE of the REMARKS section indicating the date it will be available for showings must be included.

-The MLS Remarks section of a listing is searchable. You will find the Remarks search prompt under the Advanced Criteria section of the search parameters. When typing in a word or phrase to search for, put quotation marks (" ") around the word or phrase. For example, if your buyer would like a property that is secluded, type "secluded" and your search results will include properties for which the listing agent has included the word "secluded" in the remarks.

-If a seller is still obligated under the terms of a listing contract, but the property is no longer available to be shown, the property should be moved to a Withdrawn status in the MLS.   If a seller is released from their contract before the actual expiration date, the listing should be Expired.

-If you work within a team and would like your team name to be included on the bottom of the customer full reports, email Jen (jen@wisre.com) with your team name.  After Jen adds your team name to your member record, you can customize the customer reports by clicking on Preferences, Views/Reports, and the Details tab.  Open up the report you would like to change and scroll down to the bottom section in white.  Double click on the white box to display the fields you can include.  Select My Info - Team Name, which is located a little more than half way down.  Highlight this field and click Add. Place a check mark next to the Team Name and next to No Label at the bottom and hit Save & Close.  At this point, the Residential report is done.  You will need to do this for each class of property. Your personal slogan can also be added in this same fashion.

-The MLS does not define what is a bedroom.  Listing agents should use common sense when calling a room a bedroom.   If you are counting a room as a bedroom that is not a typical bedroom (i.e. does not have a closet, does not have code approved windows, is accessible only by going through another room, etc.), PLEASE indicate in the remarks what makes it atypical so that showing agents and potential buyers are informed before a showing.  

Click here for a list of enhancements added to Paragon recently. 

Advertising Reminder:  If you advertise a property for sale on a website such as Craig's List, you must include your broker's name as printed on the broker's license, or disclose the trade name as filed with the Department of Regulation and Licensing, just like you do with print ads.  It must be clear that the listing is being offered by a real estate professional and not a private party.   

-When pulling up a map search, the map will center to your office address by default.   If you would like to change this to another address, click on Preferences, User, Search Options.  Check the second box to establish a new default address and click the link to type it in.

Key Hot Tip:  The summer months are here!  Just a reminder, the ActiveKEY is designed to be operated between 14° and 140° F (-10° and 60° C). Low or high temperature conditions can shorten battery life or cause an ActiveKEY to malfunction.  PLEASE DO NOT leave your ActiveKEY in the car, on a hot day, because temperatures in parked cars can exceed this range.

Photo Hot Tip:  If you get an error message indicating the photo you are loading is not a valid image file, it is most likely because the photo you are trying to load is too large. The photo file size for Paragon should be under 32k, and the image size should be as close to 640x480 as possible. If a photo is over 32k, or larger than 640x480, Paragon will not load it, or will compress the image possibly decreasing the quality. Microsoft provides a nice tool to resize your images. Click here to launch this tool.   

-Are you taking advantage of the Favorites section of the Available Reports menu?  If you find yourself clicking on Details, MultiUps, or one of the other report buckets to find a report you often use, next time, simply click on that favorite report and drag it up under Favorites.   

-Are your listings being missed in a search?   When filling out the MLS profile sheet, please check every item that applies as you never know when the perfect buyer is looking for something slightly unusual that your listing may have.   Also, school names are often used in searches, so please do not select "Call School District" unless the school district cannot provide you with the school names.  Contact information for school districts can be found here. 

-You can customize the MLS Market that appears on the right side of the Paragon home page to track just the geographic area you want, as well as how many days back (1-7) you want to display as the default.   To adjust these settings, click on Preferences, User, and Market Monitor Filter.

-Important Reminder about Scheduling Showings Via Paragon:  When you click on the Schedule a Showing icon within Paragon, a box will pop up with your personal information such as phone number and email.  This information is not automatically tied to your member record within Paragon.   This is by design so you have flexibility to enter the most appropriate return phone number or email for that particular showing request.  The email or phone number as entered will stick until you change it.  Because of this flexibility, if you transfer to a new office or change your email or phone number and report that to the MLS to have changed in Paragon, the showing pop up screen will not automatically change; you have to change it.    Please glance at this box each time you set up a showing to be sure the email and phone number are as you want them to be.  If you need to make a change, simply do so right on that screen. 

WI-FI Access to Paragon - Did you know you can access Paragon via your browser-enabled mobile phone or PDA?   Paragon Wi-Fi is not a substitute for the online Paragon system, but rather a companion product that will allow mobile users the ability to search and retrieve a limited portion of real-time MLS listing data .  If you have access to the Internet from your phone or PDA, there is no additional cost for this service. Simply enter http://scwmls.fnismls.com/paragonwifi and use the same login name and password you use to access Paragon.

 
-Photo Reminder:  South Central WI MLS rules require agents to load a photo within 5 days of input for all listings except vacant land, commercial property, and new construction.  At their last meeting, the Board of Directors extended this to 7 days.  Effectively immediately, if a photo is not loaded within 7 days, the listing agent and his/her broker will be sent a notice giving them 5 additional days from the notice to load a photo.  If a photo is still not loaded, the broker is billed $50 and the MLS sends a photographer out to take a photo. 

Have you ever wanted to be able to fit more on the spreadsheet printout from Paragon?  In many cases, the title of a field is larger than the data contained in that field, so when you include that field on a spreadsheet, the column is wider than it needs to be.  When viewing the spreadsheet, if you click on Customize you can utilize the check box under the selected fields that says Use Short Label.  For example, if you include the field for Fin Above Grd SqFt, and then put a check mark next to that field and then check the Use Short Label box, the header for that field will be condensed to AbvGrdSqFt.   You can also take advantage of the option to print horizontally available within the Print window that comes up before a document is sent to your printer.   Print boxes can be different from machine to machine, but look for a Preferences option. 

New Profile Sheets:  The latest revision of MLS profile sheets is available under MLS Documents above or click here.  The following new features have been added to Paragon and are included within this new revision:  Stubbed for Bathroom, Radon Mitigation System, and Unfinished have been added under Basement, Additional for Sale has been added under Condo Parking, and Above Commercial/Retail has been added under Condo Miscellaneous.  If your current listings contain any of these features, please add them.  In addition, page 4 has been added to the profile sheets for Showing Instructions, Open House Info, and Virtual Tour address.

March 2009

-Attention Appraisers:   Do you need help finding the information you need for the new Fannie Mae Market Conditions Addendum?  Click here to register for a free class that will cover how to easily find this information using Paragon.

ShowingAssist Enhancements:
-When clicking on Schedule a Showing, you can now set up showings beginning at 8:00 a.m.
-An option to decline a showing is now available within the standard email request. 
-You can now double book yourself for a single timeslot by clicking on Request Showing in the drop down.
-You can opt out of the first acknowledgement email and/or the email stating your request has been viewed.  Click on Preferences, User, ShowingAssist, Agent Tab, Advanced Setup.

February 2009

New Lot Size Requirement:  At their last meeting, the MLS Board of Directors voted to mandate that listing agents include the number of acres in the Lot Size field for Single Family listings over 2 acres.  If you have an active single family listing for which the lot is over 2 acres, please add the number of acres in the Lot Size field if it is blank.  The Lot Size field is non-required for parcels under 2 acres, but it is recommended that you include either the number of acres or the dimensions of the lot.

WIREX IS LIVE:  You should now see a new drop down box upon login.  Choices in this drop down are South Central Wisconsin and WIREX.  To use Paragon as you always have, press Enter to select the default of South Central Wisconsin.   If you would like to search for listings outside the South Central Wisconsin market (Metro Milwaukee and Northeast Wisconsin) select WIREX.   You can also switch between South Central and WIREX after logging in by clicking on the MLS Switcher at the top of the screen.  Click here for a pdf flyer about WIREX.

January 2009

-New Cumulative Days on Market Field:   A new days-on-market calculation has been added to Paragon that will allow users to see the cumulative time a listing has been on the market.   When a new listing is entered, Paragon looks to see if a listing with the same address had expired or was withdrawn in the last 30 days.  If a previous listing, meeting these criteria (same address, expired or withdrawn in the last 30 days) is found, Paragon will look at the days on market for that listing and begin counting from there.  The Days on Market (DOM) calculation, showing the time on the market for just that MLS number, is also still available.  Not all listings in Paragon will have a CDOM.  The Cumulative Days on Market is available for listings added or changed since this new calculation became available on 1/1/09.  It is unfortunately not possible to go back in time to trigger a CDOM for all listings in the database.  In addition, we have opted to not turn CDOM on for vacant land listings, as often times the street address is not complete.  You will find the Cumulative Days on Market on the bottom of the Agent full report along with the Days on Market, and on the Property History report.

-On the Showing Instructions tab within the add/maintain listing process, you will find a field for Showing Instructions.  These instructions automatically load to the ShowingAssist program under the Schedule a Showing icon, and are included on the Showing Setup Report.  The Showing Setup Report can be found under Multi-Up Views and is a nice report to work off when setting up showings.  Click here for a sample. 

December 2008

-A single family property can only be entered as a condo if it has condo documents, a shared wall, or a monthly maintenance fee associated with the property.  A condo can only be entered under the single family class if it is a stand-alone or a half-duplex. At their last meeting, the MLS Board of Directors voted to also require that all condos entered in the single family class must include the condo fee within the first line of the public remarks.  Please keep in mind that if your single family property qualifies for inclusion in condo, or if your condo property qualifies for inclusion in single family, it first must be entered in its primary class. 

-Bookmark this LINK to easily check your listings by MLS number on Wisconsinhomes.com and Realtor.com.

-PLEASE include seller concessions within the Points Paid/Seller Credits field when closing a listing in the MLS if seller concessions were given.  Starting April 1, appraisers will have new requirements regarding the details of seller concessions. 

-Additional choices under the Terms feature have been added within Paragon for Short Sale and Bank Owned.  Please modify your listings if one of these situations applies.   These features will be included on the spring profile sheet revision. 

-Listings on Realtor.com were recently upgraded to include the first four photos, as they appear in Paragon, for each property. This is a free and automatic upgrade to your listings. There is nothing you need to do to take advantage of this upgrade. Wisconsinhomes.com continues to display the first eight photos as entered in Paragon. Please keep both Realtor.com and Wisconsinhomes.com in mind when deciding what order you place your listing photos.

November 2008

-As recently clarified by the MLS Board of Directors, in order to create a new listing with a new MLS number in the MLS, you must draft and have your seller(s) sign a new listing contract. If you are relisting a currently active listing before its expiration date, you also need to secure an amendment to expire the original listing early. MLS requirements for a new listing are not met by an amendment requesting a new MLS number.

-With temperatures dropping, keep in mind that your ActiveKEY battery can be affected by the cold.  We recommend that you do not leave your key in the car overnight, or for extended periods of time when the temperatures get below freezing.

-With the changing of the clocks on November 2^nd, the keybox access hours also changed.  The boxes now open between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. 

-Have you Tried the Slide Show in Paragon?   If you click on a photo within Paragon, a slideshow of all the images for that property will display.  If you have never done this, give it a try.  It's pretty cool.  You even have the ability to maintain photos for your listings via this slide show, which is a nice time saving feature.

October 2008

-Are your listings being missed in a search?   When filling out the MLS profile sheet, please check every item that applies as you never know when the perfect buyer is looking for something slightly unusual that your listing may have.   Also, school names are often used in searches, so please do not select "Call School District" unless the school district cannot provide you with the school names.  Contact information for school districts can be found here. 

-If a property in the MLS is marked as WITHDRAWN, this property has a  valid listing contract on it, but is not being actively marketed.  An example of a situation that would be appropriate for Withdrawn is if the seller does not want showings for a few weeks because they are out of town or are doing improvements to the property.   If you are RELISTING a property, do not put the original listing into Withdrawn.  The original listing must be EXPIRED. There should never be a situation where the same property is in the MLS as Withdrawn and also as Active with the same company.  

-4th quarter MLS dues will be billed in October.  Offices can check their agent roster for a list of active agents that will be billed. From the Paragon home page, click on Membership and either the Agent or Membership Roster.  If there are agents or administrative staff listed as active that are no longer with your company, please email support@wisre.com.

September 2008

-If your ActiveKEY gets stuck on a function and doesn't seem to respond, try resetting the Key.  On the back of your ActiveKEY, below the Serial Number, is a tiny pin-sized hole, marked RESET in very tiny raised lettering.    Insert a paperclip in the hole to reset the Key. Do not use a sharper object such as a pin or a knife. You do not need to use much pressure (you may need to try twice).  If resetting the key does not work, call or stop by the MLS office (M-F 8-5) or call one of the help lines - 877-699-6787 (GE Technical Support) or 608-332-5400 (local staff).

-School Reminder: Please double check to be sure the schools have not changed for your active properties.  A few examples of new schools are Olson Elementary in Madison and Creekside Elementary in Sun Prairie. 

-ActiveKEY Hot Tip:  Please be sure to charge your ActiveKEY on a daily basis.  This will ensure that your key will function properly when you need it.  You can leave your ActiveKEY plugged in until you are ready to use it.  You cannot overcharge the battery in your ActiveKEY.  If you leave it uncharged for several days, your ActiveKEY may cease to function.   Replacements are issued at the SCWMLS office if necessary.

-Blast Agent E-Mails from Paragon:  By design, your Paragon system does not have the ability to blast email other agents.  It has been determined that this feature would not be popular with most agents.  If you would like to notice other agents of an upcoming open house or a broker open, please enter this information within the listing itself.  If you have other important information you would like to share with other agents, please use the Message Board below. 

-ActiveKey Upgrade:  Late last week, your ActiveKey should have received an automatic upgrade to display the battery status as bars rather than numbers and words.  This upgrade will help to extend the life of the battery.

-Condos and Single Family: Q:  When can you list a condo under the single family class in Paragon?  When can you list a single family dwelling as a condo?  A:  A single-family residential property can only be entered as a condo if it has condo documents, a shared wall, or a monthly maintenance fee associated with the property. A condo can only be entered under the single family class if it is stand-alone or a half-duplex. 

-MLS Now Allows Up to 25 Photos:  The Paragon system has been adjusted to accept 25 photos per listing.  All 25 photos are now accessible via the photo spinner on each listing.  The current Customer Full All Photo Report will be expanded to two pages to accommodate all photos in a print format. 

-Keeping the Battery Charged on your new Supra ActiveKey:  You can leave your ActiveKEY plugged in to the power cord when you are not using it. You cannot overcharge your key.   We recommend charging your ActiveKEY nightly.  To conserve your ActiveKEY battery, you can turn the radio signal off when not using the key.  First, turn your key ON by pressing the On/Off button. Then press and hold the On/Off button for 10 seconds, until the keys says RADIO IS TURNED OFF.  The next time you turn on your ActiveKEY, you can then press 1 (and release) to turn the radio back on (your key will remind you the radio is off and tell you how to turn it back on).   Your ActiveKEY will not update with the radio off.  Another option for power is a car charger - Available at the MLS office for $21.05 (incl. tax).

-New Keybox Hot Tip:   We have had a few instances where the chain inside the key compartment has jammed the box.  If you do not use the chain to secure the key inside the box, please remove the chain.   

-Listing Reminder: Please remember to update information such as assessments, taxes, stage of completion for new construction, and age if your listing has been on the market awhile.  Also, if you include time-specific information in the remarks (such as no showings until a certain date), please remove that information once the situation no longer applies. 

-Lot Size Expansion:  The selection of Over 20 Acres under Single Family Lot Size has been expanded.  The new choices are Over 20-40 Acres, Over 40-80 Acres, and Over 80 Acres.  The updated Single Family Profile Sheet can be found here.  We have updated all current active and pending listings that had the actual acreage listed under the Lot Size free form field.  If you have a listing that is over 20 acres, and do not have the actual acreage listed under the Lot Size field, your listing was defaulted to Over 20-40 Acres.  Please check your listings that are over 40 acres to be sure they are correctly labeled.   If you currently have single family saved searches that contain the selection for Over 20 Acres, this will be changed to Over 20-40 Acres.  Please make adjustments if your buyer is looking for listings over 40 acres. 

-Adding Virtual Tours:  Included in one of the recent Paragon upgrades was the ability for agents to add virtual tours to their listings.  Although most agents do not have the security level needed to add and maintain listings, they do have the ability to add photos, associated documents, and virtual tours to their listings, as well as change the map location for their listings.  These functions are located under Listings and Maintain from the Paragon Main Menu.   Now that agents have the ability to add their own tours, starting May 1, the MLS will no longer be accepting tours directly from providers on behalf of agents.   Please direct your tour provider to send your virtual tour to you for inclusion on the MLS instead of directly to the MLS.  As virtual tours are becoming more popular, we are finding that without hiring additional MLS staff, we no longer have the time needed on a daily basis to load tours for agents.   This does not mean we are not available to help you load your tours if you need help.  We are always happy to help you with Paragon.  Please keep in mind that the MLS does not allow tours that are branded with the agent name or agent/company information.  The name of the company is allowed.  Often times tour providers send both branded and unbranded tours.  Please make sure the unbranded tour is the one that is added to listings on MLS.

-Customizing the Paragon Spreadsheet - Adding # of Acres:  The spreadsheet that displays after doing a search in Paragon is customizable for each agent. To add a field such as Lot Size/Acres to your spreadsheet, click on Customize on the tool bar directly above the spreadsheet.  A box will pop up showing two lists of fields.  The list on the right contains fields already on your spreadsheet, and the list on the left contains fields that can be added.  Please note that the list on the left is alphabetical.  Find the field you want to add, click on it, and then click the Add button between the two boxes.  The new field will be added to the bottom of the list on the right.  You may need to scroll down to see it.  You can also remove fields by moving them from the right box to the left box.   There are also move up and move down buttons in between the two boxes that will allow you to set the order of display.   Click the Save & Close button at the bottom when you are done.  This new format will be your default.  If you want to switch back or if you make a mistake, there is a Revert to Default button next to the Save & Close.   

-New Lockboxes:  New infrared lockboxes will begin showing up on listings over the next few weeks. Click here for a picture of the new box.  To open this new box, press the same buttons on your DisplayKey, but instead of placing the key in the box, point the infrared panel at the top of your DisplayKey towards the infrared panel on the lockbox.  The new boxes do not automatically drop the key compartment like the old boxes.  Your DisplayKey will tell you to "press the key container", at which point you should push up on the bottom center of the box to release the key container.

-Recent Changes:  The MLS database has been modified as follows:  Farm listings have been merged with Residential, a new feature group has been added for Environmentally Friendly Features, a new School District field has been added, and the class Residential has been renamed Single Family & Residential Income has been renamed Multi Family.  Click here for detailed information.  

Link to new Profile Sheets  
Link to new Farm Associated Document

-Certain data fields in the MLS, such as expiration date and commissions, are considered confidential, and therefore available only in broker-to-broker reports.  Reports containing these fields may not be distributed to the public.  As the agent full report in Paragon contains these fields, this report should be used internally by Members of the MLS only, and not given to the public.   We have had recent reports of the Agent Full report being left in brochure boxes.  This is against MLS rules.  Please remove Agent Full reports and replace them with Customer Full reports if you have been including them in brochure boxes.  Thank you for your cooperation.   

- If your office listings do not include the Schedule a Showing icon, and you are interested in allowing agents to set up showings via Paragon and email, you may view a demo of this product here.   If a listing has a Schedule a Showing icon included, please use it when setting up showings. 

-Concern from the appraiser community: We recently received this email and agree this is an area our members could do better at:
"When sales concessions are involved in a transaction, it is most helpful if they are included on the MLS data sheet.  There is a special area just for this called Points Paid/Seller Credits that is not being used.  As appraisers we have to track down the Realtors® involved in the sale to get the concession amount which is both a bother for the Realtors® and a time burner for the appraiser.  In a market where all details truly matter and where efficiency is critical, I ask that Realtors® kindly take the extra minute to specify the concession amount.  Thank you."

If the seller made concessions, such as paying closing costs or points on behalf of the buyer, please indicate that amount in the Points Paid/Seller Credits field when closing out the listing in Paragon.  

P4 Hot Tips: 

-Before the upgrade I could click on Search and Address/Tax ID/MLS #.  Where did this go?    In P4 click on Search and Multi-Class under Search By Class.

-When looking at your search results, you can gain more horizontal screen space by clicking the "Available Reports" header of the reports options that have loaded from the right.  Click again to reload the reports menu.

-When looking at your search results, save time by moving your most used reports up under Favorites on the Available Reports menu.  Simply click on the report you want and hold down your mouse button while you drag it up to Favorites. 

-If you are having problems selecting items from the new drop down menus, remember to move your mouse down and over instead of diagonally. 

As you can see, Paragon has a whole new look and feel.  First of all, don't panic!  The changes are almost all in how the system looks, not in how it functions.  Our trainer Rick put it best when he said, "it is the same house, but with a new paint job".  Buttons are bigger, menus are easier to use, and the number of clicks needed to perform a function is reduced.   You can still click on Search to perform a search, and all the same search options and reports are available.   Below are a few of the changes you can expect. 

-As you can see, the home page looks very different . Quick Search is still on the left and Hot Tips are in the middle, but there is a third pane on the right that contains the Market Monitor and Quick Action Links.  The Market Monitor allows you to go back a set number of days (back to 30) instead of restricting you to 24 hours, 3 days, and 7 days.  The Quick Action Links allow you select which Paragon programs you most often use. 

-When you click on a function such as Search, your options now display larger and in an organized fashion, opposed to just one long pick list.  To select an option move your mouse down and then over...don't move your mouse diagonally.  It seems a bit strange at first, but you will get the hang of it!

-If a seller is still obligated under the terms of a listing contract, but the property is no longer available to be shown, the property should be moved to a Withdrawn status in the MLS.   If a seller is released from their contract before the actual expiration date, the listing should be Expired.

-Virtual Tour Reminder --  MLS rules prohibit the display of virtual tours that include agent information and/or office contact information.  Office name is allowed.  The reason for this restriction is that links to virtual tours on MLS listings in Paragon are included as part of the Customer Full Report.  By design, the listing company is given credit on this report, but there is no agent information or office contact information.  The Customer Full Report is the email default from Paragon to clients/customers.  Before this restriction was in place, some of the tour links on listings emailed from Paragon took the client/customer to a web page that focused on the agent/office, and not the property. 

-The following listing features have been added to Paragon. If you have a listing that has one of these features, please modify your listing to include it.

Residential
8'+ ceiling under the Basement Feature (E)
9'+ ceilings (main level) under Interior Features (P)
High speed internet available under the Interior Features (P)

Condominium
End Unit under the Style Feature (A)
8'+ ceiling under the Basement Feature (D)
9'+ ceilings (main level) under the Interior Features (O)
High speed internet available under the Interior Features (O)

Lots and Acreage
Approved for IZ under the Terms Feature (P)

Farms/Farmettes
Fences under the Farm Features (H)
High speed internet available under the House Features (Q) 

-Our MLS covers mainly South Central and Southwest Wisconsin (click here for a map).  Occasionally an agent will list a property located outside of this region.  The location codes used for these listings are Y01 for other parts of Wisconsin, Y02 for Illinois, Y03 for Minnesota, and Y04 for Iowa.   If you are looking for a specific county or municipality outside the South Central/Southwest Wisconsin region, it works best to skip the location box and use the County or Municipality search boxes which are located on the bottom of the Primary Criteria search screen.

- We have had increased reports of agents contacting sellers before their listing contract expires with another agent.  This is a violation of both MLS Rules and the Realtor® Code of Ethics. Please take a minute to read the article titled How to Avoid Jumping a Listing.  Click here for a copy.

-Starting with the July statistics, SCWMLS will begin publishing the monthly sales reports following the last day of the month after the statistical reporting month.  This means that the July numbers will be available the beginning of September.  In the past, our statistics have reflected those transactions that were reported to the MLS by the 15^th day following the reported month.  This has sometimes proven to be premature, and therefore has resulted in understated figures, as too often agents have not reported all their sales within the fifteen day window.  So that this year is accurately compared to last year, please make every attempt to report your July sales by the end of August, your August sales by the end of September, etc.   Thank you.

-The MLS Market area within the Market Monitor (look to the left of this page) is a great place to track activity for a specific geographic market.  By default, the MLS Market is defined as the whole MLS.  You can limit that to just the market you would like to monitor by clicking on the Change Area button within the Market Monitor.  Click Remove All to move all municipalities from the right to the left box, and then move just the municipalities you want to monitor back to the right box.  If you want to include a whole county, click the Sort by Code button to group municipalities by county.

-We are pleased to offer a new class covering advanced features in Paragon.   This class is 3 hours and covers Map Searches, Driving Directions, Customizing your Search and Reports, Setting up your E-card, Creating Mailing Labels, Copying and Building Customer Reports, and Q&A.  Please do not register for this class unless you have taken the Paragon Basic class and/or have been using Paragon for more than 3 months.  There is no charge for this class unless you register and do not show.   Click here to register.

-If you right click the map on the Customer Full - Map View you will be given an option to zoom in and zoom out.  In addition, you can switch from Road view to an Aerial view.   After you zoom in or out or switch to another view, this view will hold when you select print.  This is very helpful if you run across a property that shows just one street on the map.  Zooming out will allow you to print a view that is more helpful. 

-The MLS Remarks section of a listing is searchable.  You will find the Remarks search prompt under the Advanced Criteria section of the search parameters.  When typing in a word or phrase to search for, put a star before and after (*...*) the word or phrase.  For example, if your buyer would like a property that has tray ceilings enter *tray ceiling* and your search results will include properties for which the listing agent has included tray ceiling or ceilings in the remarks. 

-If you have a browser-enabled hand-held device, such as a WAP-enabled mobile phone (i.e. a Blackberry or a Treo) or a PDA, you can access Paragon Wi-Fi for real-time access to Paragon MLS data.  Paragon Wi-Fi not a substitute for the online Paragon system, but rather a companion product that will allow mobile users the ability to search and retrieve a limited portion of MLS listing data.  If you have access to the Internet from your phone or PDA, there is no additional cost for this service. Simply enter http://scwmls.fnismls.com/paragonwifi and use the same login name and password you use to access Paragon.

-Vista Update - Paragon is now fully compatible with Microsoft Vista.

-In response to a really good member suggestion, we have added the listing office address to the agent full report.

-From the agent full report you click the little blue-green M link to get the map....how the heck do you print that map?   Place your cursor on the blue border around the map and right click to get an option to print.  Yes, we do have an open work order to add a print button, but we wanted to share the secret work around for you to use for now. 

- Would you like to attract more agents to your broker opens? The ability to mark your listing for an all agent property tour, and the ability to search for properties you can tour can be done within Paragon. The fields to enter broker open date, time and comments (munchies available?) can be found under the VTour/Open House section of the Maintain Listing program (available to those with administrative access). The search field for Broker Open Date can be found within the Advanced Search Criteria section under Search. Once you have a list of the broker opens you are interested in, access information about the tour by selecting the Tours/Broker Open report listed under Multi-Up Views/Reports. For a sample of the Tours/Broker Open report click here.

-To better identify properties being offered at auction, a new feature has been added under the Terms Feature. Each listing flagged with the new Auction feature is also flagged with an AUC directly following the price. To help convey necessary information about the auction process to potential selling agents, all auction properties must include the SCWMLS Information Form for Properties being Sold at Auction as an associated document. This form can be found under the Forms section on our member website at www.scwmls.com.

- The Designated Agent Y/N field has been replaced with Multiple Representation Y/N/D (D = Designated Agency).  All listings that were marked as Designated Agent = Y have been changed to Multiple Representation = D.  If you have a situation whereby a seller has consented to multiple representation, but not designated agency, you will need to change your listing from the old Designated Agent = N to Multiple Representation = Y.  For a full explanation of this change see the headlines on our website at www.scwmls.com. 

-When entering a message on the Message Board, you must scroll down and enter a code as it appears in a black box, before posting your message.  This is a security measure to assure an actual real person is entering the data, and not some computer program trying to scam the system.  Please remember that this message board is for real estate transaction related topics only.

December 2006

-The correct placement of your property on maps within Paragon is often dependent on the correct street tag (i.e. St, Ave, Dr). Please be sure you include the correct street tag when entering a new listing. Click here for a list of proper Paragon street tag abbreviations.

-Change for Listing Input: To improve seamless linking between MLS listings and tax records, input checks for correct parcel number formats have been added to Paragon. For a list of these correct formats, click here. If a property has not been assigned a parcel number, enter Not Assigned. If a listing represents multiple parcel numbers, either pick one or enter the word Multiple.

-If you want to print, email, or view more detail for all the listings on a spreadsheet, the fastest way to select them all is to click the blank gray/tan box at the top left of the spreadsheet....above the sequential number column.  This also works nicely when you want to eliminate just a few from the list.  In this case you would select all by clicking the blank box, and then uncheck the few you do not want. 

If the street number of your rural listing begins with an alpha character, do not move the alpha character to the street direction field. The W or N before the street number is part of the street number, not a street direction. This is very important for correct mapping placement.

 -If you work within a team and would like your team name to be included on the bottom of the customer full reports, email Jen (jen@wisre.com) with your team name.  After Jen adds your team name to your member record, you can customize the customer reports by clicking on Preferences, Views/Reports, and the Details tab.  Open up the report you would like to change and scroll down to the bottom section in white.  Double click on the white box to display the fields you can include.  Select My Info - Team Name, which is located a little more than half way down.  Highlight this field and click Add. Place a check mark next to the Team Name and next to No Label at the bottom and hit Save & Close.  At this point, the Residential report is done.  You will need to do this for each class of property. Your personal slogan can also be added in this same fashion.

August 2006

-You can search for upcoming open houses under the Search Program in Paragon.  Click on Search, Property, and select the property class.  Open up the Advanced Criteria section at the bottom to find the Open House Date search prompt. 

New Profile Sheets:  Copies of the new profile sheets can be found under the MLS Docs on Paragon.

-Open house date and time as entered in Paragon is now included on the Agent Full Report. If you have access to add and change listings, you can find fields for open house date and time under the V Tour/Open House tab under Maintain Listings. When the open house date is past, Paragon automatically deletes the date and time. Open house date and time also displays on www.wisconsinhomes.com.

-The Supra DisplayKey lease renewal is June 1st of each year.  With the next monthly billing, offices will be assessed $100 for each agent currently leasing a Supra DisplayKey.  If you are no longer using your keycard, and would like to cancel your lease to avoid the $100 charge, please return your keycard and cradle/charging base to the MLS prior to June 9th. 

Paragon Wi-Fi is Here --  Paragon Wi-Fi is an interface that allows real-time access to Paragon MLS data from any browser-enabled device, such as a WAP-enabled mobile phone (i.e. a Blackberry or a Treo) or a PDA.  Paragon Wi-Fi is not a substitute for the online Paragon system, but rather a companion product that allows mobile users the ability to search and retrieve a limited portion of MLS listing data.  If you have access to the Internet from your phone or PDA, there is no additional cost for this service. Simply go to http://scwmls.fnismls.com/paragonwifi and use the same login name and password you use to access Paragon. 

New Listing Feature Added:  If your vacant land listing is located adjacent to a park or greenway, you may now select this as a feature under Lot Description. 

March 2006

-New Property Tour Report - The ability to mark your listing for an all agent property tour, and the ability to search for properties available for agent tours are now available via Paragon.   The fields to enter broker open date, time and comments can be found under the VTour/Open House section of the Maintain Listing program (available to those with listing add/maintain access).  The search field for Broker Open Date can be found within the Advanced Search Criteria section under Search.  Details about the agent tour (date, time, comments) can be found on the Tours/Broker Open report listed under Multi-Up Views/Reports.

-ShowingAssist is now live.   Offices will need to turn on this feature to allow agents to use it.  Click on Preferences and User to access the ShowingAssist setup tab.  If the office email address listed is blank or needs to be changed, please contact the MLS office.  Click here to view a demo of this new product.  

The Paragon system was recently modified to comply with federal requirements for CAN-SPAM. When you receive an email from Paragon Email Service, you must confirm your email address via this email within 30 days in order to continue emailing from Paragon. Click here for an explanation of how this will affect the e-mail functions within Paragon. 

-During the evening of Wednesday, December 28, several enhancements will be added to Paragon. A few of these enhancements, as well as future enhancements, will improve the Paragon UI (User Interface).  In order to take advantage of improved UI technology, the mandatory screen resolution for Paragon will be increased to1024x768. Most of you are already set for 1024x768, but a few may still be running at 800x600. To prepare for these upcoming enhancements, you may want to check your screen resolution and change it to 1024x768 if it is currently lower than that. Click here for instructions on checking and changing your screen resolution. 

-To minimize the distortion to your property photos when they are uploaded to Paragon, the original photo should be as close to the following as possible: The file size should be under 32k and the image size should be as close to 640x480 as possible. If a photo is over 32k, or larger than 640x480, ParagonÔ will compress the image possibly decreasing the quality. A free utility is available for all Microsoft XP users that will allow you to easily resize photos. You can find a link to this utility labeled MS Image Resizer under the Links section on the left of this ParagonÔ home page.

October 2005

-Electronic Pet Containment System has been added as an option under "Exterior Features" for Residential listings.   Commercial Condo has been added as an option under "Type" for Commercial listings.  These options have been added to Paragon, but will not be added to the MLS Profile Sheets until the next scheduled reprint in January. 

-According to MLS guidelines, for square footage to be considered finished, the space must be heated, have finished walls (painted concrete does not count), have a finished ceiling (no exposed floor joists), and have a finished floor (painted concrete does not count).  If one of these four components is missing, the space can still be considered finished, but disclosure of the missing component must be included in the MLS remarks. 

-If you are not currently using the Tax Autofill link when adding a listing, you may want to check it out. Clicking on the Tax Autofill link at the top of the Add Listing screen will take you to the Tax Search page. Locate the property you are adding by parcel number, address, or owner name. Select the tax record, and then click on the Autofill link at the top of the screen. Information such as address, owner, legal description, assessments, and taxes will be automatically imported into the add-listing screen saving you keystrokes. If the listing agent has provided information that is different from what is auto-filled, you can simply overwrite the auto-filled information.

-Within Paragon, you have the ability to attach documents to your listings. Quick access to documents such as addendums, the property condition report, floor plans, plat maps, etc. can be very helpful to an agent showing your property, especially during non-office hours. Agents can attach their own documents as they do photos via the drop down menu in Listing Maintain. Listings that have documents associated with them can be identified by the Documents field that is located to the right of the list date on the Agent Full reports. For expanded instructions on attaching and viewing documents, click here.

-Mailing labels in Dane County now display owner name as first name, last name 

- The MLS Market area within the Market Monitor (look to the left of this page) is a great place to track activity for a specific geographic market. By default, the MLS Market is defined as the whole MLS. You can limit that to just the market you would like to monitor by clicking on the Change Area button within the Market Monitor. Click Remove All to move all municipalities from the right to the left box, and then move just the municipalities you want to monitor back to the right box. If you want to include a whole county, click the Sort by Code button to group municipalities by county.

-You can change the fields that display on the spreadsheet list of properties that comes up after a search in Paragon. Click on the Customize link at the top of the page to display a list of fields that can be added. The box on the right lists the fields that currently display on your spreadsheet. If you want to remove a field simply highlight it and click Remove. If you want to add a field from the left box, click on the field and then on Add. If you do not see the field you would like to add, click on the Group box at the top to display different types of fields (i.e. Feature Categories). To make it easier to find a specific field, click on the top of the Name list to alphabetize. Click on Save and Close to apply your changes. Your customized spreadsheet will now come up each time you display the spreadsheet.

-If a fellow REALTOR directs you to contact the seller to set up a showing, please remember that it is against MLS rules and the REALTOR Code of Ethics to solicit this listing prior to its expiration.  Your conversation should be limited to setting up the showing.  All exclusive listings, whether full service or limited service, are protected from solicitation by REALTORS.

April 2005

-To better safeguard data in the MLS, the Board of Directors recently voted to mandate password changes the first Monday of each quarter. On Monday, April 4, you will be prompted to enter a new password in Paragon. If you have allowed Windows to remember your password for Paragon, the second time you login you will be alerted that the password you entered does not match the password stored, and will be given the opportunity to store your new password. The MLS does not recommend you store your password unless the computer you use is accessible only to you.

-When setting up a new prospect for auto-notification, the matches for the first search you do need to be manually e-mailed.  Paragon does not send these listings out automatically. Auto-notification will begin for any new listings (and price changes) that are entered after you set up the prospect for auto-notification.