|
 
January 2007
Index of all
messages
from the Association President
President's Message - Voluntary electronic lockbox program makes February debut
By Cheri Long
The Aurora Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors voted to participate in the evaluation period of the Sentrilock Electronic Lockbox.
This new program begins at the end of February, and I hope you choose to participate. That’s right, I said choose, because this isn’t a mandatory program.
Getting past hard feelings
Yes, I remember carrying a heavy, bulky “key,” and standing at the front door of a showing, inputting an endless set of numbers. I remember having to put a second lockbox on the property because not everyone had a “key.”
“Been there, done that,” you say? I know there are still hard feelings about the last time electronic lockboxes were introduced and mandated, but we have to get past that. This is a very different product. How is it different? Let me count the ways:
1. Can you say “voluntary?” That’s right...you don’t have to participate, now or in the future. BUT…I highly suggest you do, just so that you have a basis to make an informed decision. When we vote whether to buy into this program at the end of the evaluation, your opinion will be much more valuable to the whole Board of Directors if you participate.
2. The “key” is like a credit card. It’s called a Smartcard, and you can carry it in your wallet. It has a smart chip in it, so if it’s stolen, it won’t work unless someone also has your pin code. And it is inactivated when you report it stolen! To use the Smartcard, you slide it into the bottom of the lockbox and punch in your code on the lit keypad, much like you do at the stores with your credit card By the way, the Smartcard will be free of charge during the evaluation period, and for a small fee afterward, should we continue.
3. Updating the “key” is as easy as sliding it into an office USB reader or sliding it into a lockbox if you forget to do it at your office. If an agent is no longer active, the card will not be able to be updated, nor function at the lockbox.
4. Only 2,500 lockboxes will be issued during this evaluation period. More are available from the company, if needed, but right now we are working with the 2,500 lockboxes. We are asking brokers to limit their requests to 10 percent of their total inventory so everyone gets a chance to try at least one box. The boxes are available with a $30 downpayment, refundable if it’s in good condition and we vote not to continue after the evaluation period expires.
5. One day, codes will be available for those agents who don’t participate or use a “key.” The lockbox essentially will be used like numeric ones of today’s generation. You won’t need to put a second lockbox on the property to accommodate those not participating. Up to nine codes will be available daily, only for a specific agent, and only for a specific amount of time. And different contractor codes can be used for those approved to enter.
6. Will it be more secure? The current lockboxes are secure as long as the agent has changed the combination from the code that was set by the manufacturer (did you know your E & O insurance doesn’t insure you if the lockbox code is not changed? You might want to check with your company to see what is allowed!) AND you have not written the code on the showing sheet in plain view of anyone to see. Do you shred those sheets afterward, or store them safely? However, what this current system lacks is accountability. Who has entered, when, and did they enter more than once without calling back in for permission? The electronic system provides better accountability, as electronic reports will show not only when the agent used the lockbox, but also how many times the agent entered the property, making multiple showings without permission from the showing service very apparent. In the future, if it’s a vacant property, there may even be an opportunity to not have to call in for a showing notice.
We mailed packets for brokers to fill out and fax back to sign up for the evaluation period. PLEASE participate. The Association will be holding training sessions for managers, showing personnel and brokers.
Associates, please let your broker know right away that you want to participate. If you can’t get a lockbox, participate by showing properties using the Smartcard. The task force will be monitoring the process, and your comments along the way will be useful.
Please feel free to email me at Cheri@CheriLong.com with constructive criticism or comments. But please, don’t remind me of the last time lockboxes were introduced...I lived that already!
Additional Updates
MLS Regionalization A meeting of the minds occurred with members of Metrolist, IRES and concerned brokers in the community. Our goal was to brainstorm ways that agents would not have to pay to belong to two separate MLSs to practice in both areas. Of course, merging into one company came up, as well as developing a new company by liquidating both current companies, and a possible take over of one company over the other, but the idea everyone seemed to like the best is retaining both companies in their current form and standardizing data so it can be utilized by either company.
Think of it as this: our data is the goal, much like the Internet. And it doesn’t matter what provider you use to get to the data or onto the Internet, but that you can get there from several different ways. Metrolist could be the Internet Explorer portal and IRES the AOL portal. Either one would allow you access to the same Internet, the same data.
The concept would allow you to choose which system you want to be a part of, but best of all, you wouldn’t have to learn a new method. Think of it as MLS of choice.
An oversight committee of three brokers, one representative from Metrolist (Tom Gardner from JCAR was selected) and one from IRES (Billie Jo Downing), will work to make sure the goals are progressing. They will have no authority to make decisions, nor any authority to instruct the Rules and Regulations Committees, Boards of Directors, or staff of Metrolist and IRES. The committee is meant only to oversee and follow progress of the working committees and staffs and to alert the appropriate individuals or leadership groups should there be any problems achieving the objectives of the membership and shareholders.
Consolidation into a Mega Board After much discussion with leadership of the other associations, it was agreed that this concept should be placed on hold until a later time. It was not removed from the table, but delayed, so to speak.
Million Tree Initiative Leadership of the local associations met with Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper to hear a proposal on filling the cities with trees. His plan to plant a million trees is a perfect way for the REALTOR® community to make a difference. Who else impacts properties in such a great degree? We were proud he thought of us and turned to us for help.
He cited statistics showing that one million trees would remove 2,240,000 pounds of air pollutants annually and capture 1,925,000,000 gallons of storm water per year—thus decreasing both polluted runoff and soil and hill erosion. The mayor wants to explore with us ways in which REALTORS® could participate in this initiative, thereby leaving a lasting legacy to the communities in which we live, work and play.
Do you have any ideas? Would you like to be a part of something this big? Please let me know by emailing me at Cheri@CheriLong.com. |
