Hello Fellow Real Estate Professionals,
Yvonne here from Fidelity National Home Warranty and I wanted to pass to all of you news of a national recall of specific modelMaytag refrigerator’s.
Please review and pass to your own clients as a great information piece that is affecting 1.6 million consumers.
Some of your clients will be very glad you did.
As always, I want you to remember me not only as your Fidelity National Home Warranty representative, but as your true partner in the Real Estate industry. Count on me to always take care of your clients and all of their home warranty needs (always insist on a Fidelity National Home Warranty to protect your clients and their new property), but also count on me to provide valuable Real Estate industry information.
Thank You,
Yvonne Nelson
Fidelity National Home Warranty
800-308-1424 ext 3518
*******************************************
Maytag Recalls 1.6 Million Fire-Prone Refrigerators
Massive recall includes Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley brands
By Truman Lewis
ConsumerAffairs.com
March 10, 2009
Maytag has announced a massive recall of 1.6 million fire-prone refrigerators. The recall includes Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley brand refrigerators.
The company said that an electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard. Maytag has received 41 reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 16 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.
The recall includes certain Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Admiral, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley brand side by side and top freezer refrigerators .
The recall follows complaints by consumers like Christopher of Castaic, Calif.”I was awakened this evening to the smell of electrical smoke. I traced it to the motor of my fridge,” he told ConsumerAffairs.com last month.
Kim of Sandy, Utah, had a similar experience. “Our Maytag side by side refrigerator model no. MSD2756AE started to smoke out of the control panel in the door for the ice and water dispenser. I took the control panel so I could unplug it to stop the smoking,” Kim said in a December 2008 complaint. “The solenoid was so hot it melted all the surrounding plastic to a point it was dripping. We were very lucky to be home when this started so it did not start a fire or cause more damage.”
“I contacted our local Maytag repair shop and the technicain said there were no recalls and this sort of thing happens all the time with refrigerators,” Kim said.
The problem is hardly a new one. Consumers have been complaining about it for years. In November 2008, Phyllis of Wendell, Mass., reported her Maytag refrigerator had caught fire. “Thick yellow/brown smoke (was) billowing from refrigerator. After getting it outside and cooled down, saw that controls in back top of refrigerator unit had totally melted,” she said.
Model numbers
The affected refrigerators were manufactured in black, bisque, white and stainless steel. They have model and serial numbers printed on a label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner and have the following model and serial number combinations:
Serial Numbers ENDING with AND Model Numbers BEGINNING with
Side by Side
Refrigerators AA, AC, AE, AG, AJ, AL, AN, AP, AR,
AT, AV, AX, CA, CC, CE, CG, CJ, CL,
ZB, ZD, ZF, ZH, ZK, ZM, ZQ, ZS, ZU,
ZW, ZY, ZZ ARS, CS, JC, JS, MS, MZ, PS
Top Freezer
Refrigerators AA, AC, AE, AG, AJ, AL, AN, AP, AR,
AT, AV, AX, ZK, ZM, ZQ, ZS, ZU, ZW,
ZY, ZZ AT, CT, MT, PT
Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in this recall.
The refrigerators were sold at department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from January 2001 through January 2004 for between about $350 and $1600. They were made in the United States.
Consumers should immediately contact Maytag to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall and to schedule a free in-home repair. Consumers should not return the refrigerator to the retailer where it was purchased.
For more information, contact Maytag toll-free at (866) 533-9817 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.repair.maytag.com
The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC
Filed under Blog, Elite News & Updates, Home Warranty by Yvonne Nelson
February 17, 2009
“Property Tax Scams” updates and information from Yvonne Nelson Fidelity National Home Warranty
Hello Elite Real Estate Professionals,
As promised I want to continue to provide you with Real Estate industry updates and information that will be helpful to you and your clients.
The following is a great warning with property tax links that can be shared with all Real Estate Professionals and their clients.
I want to be a source of industry related information you can count on as well as your Fidelity National Home Warranty and Disclosure Source representative.
Please continue to ask for a Fidelity National Home Warranty and Disclosure Source NHD report for all of your transactions.
Yvonne Nelson
Fidelity National National Home Warranty &
Disclosure Source
800-308-1424 ext 3518 
*****************************************
Property Tax Reduction Scams Spreading, California Warns
Scam targets homeowners with declining property values
February 13, 2009
California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. is warning consumers about a “blatant and costly scam” targeting homeowners with declining property values.
“This blatant and costly scam holds out hope to homeowners that their property taxes will be reduced if they pay hundreds of dollars to a middleman to have their property re-evaluated,” Brown said. “In point of fact, homeowners can seek relief directly from their county assessor free of charge. Homeowners should be on high alert.”
Companies are sending deceptive mailers to homeowners offering help in reducing property tax assessments, if the homeowner pays the company hundreds of dollars in fees.
The companies use official-sounding names such as “Tax Adjusters,” “Tax Readjustment” or “Tax Review” to make victims believe the company is a government agency.
Property tax reassessment is a free service provided by county tax assessors. If homeowners believe their property value has declined and they are paying too much in property taxes, the local tax assessor will review the property value for free for a possible downward assessment.
To avoid becoming a victim, homeowners should:
• Never pay money for something they did not ask for.
• Avoid a middleman; they should contact their local tax assessor’s office for property value reassessment.
Filed under Blog, Elite News & Updates, Home Warranty, Training by Yvonne Nelson
November 30, 2008
REO Disclosures: Who Discloses What? From Yvonne Nelson Fidelity National Home Warranty and Disclosure Source
Hello Elite,
As promised, I will continue to provide my fellow Real Estate Professionals with valuable industry related education and information.
I want you to rely on me not only as your Fidelity National Home Warranty and Disclosure Source NHD representative, but as a source for Real Estate industry news and information.
Yvonne Nelson
Assistant Vice President
Fidelity National Home Warranty & Disclosure Source
800-308-1424 ext 3518
**********************************************************************************************
REO Disclosures: Who Discloses What?
Author: Chuck Piro, VP Disclosure Source
Okay……..so you’re ready to submit an offer on a REO property, but you’re really unsure of what disclosures you can expect from the bank. In fact, the asset manager has confirmed that the property is being sold "as is". So, does "as is" mean no disclosures for your buyer to review? Not necessarily!
When representing a buyer on a bank-owned property, Realtors need to recognize what disclosures the buyer is entitled to receive from the bank. Yet, this is an area that seems to be confusing to, not only Realtors, but the REO lenders themselves.
As you know, owners of bank-owned properties are not legally obligated to provide you with the same disclosures that you would demand from a traditional seller. But that certainly doesn’t mean that the bank is exempt from providing prospective buyers disclosures regarding potential hazards that may affect the property.
In fact, the REO lender is required to disclose certain conditions that may affect the value or desirability of the property. Even though they may be exempt from many obligations, they must still comply with many others. So, even though the property is being sold "as is"; you need to know what to expect in terms of disclosure for your buyer.
To help clarify the matter of disclosures on REO property, The California Association of Realtors has made available the REO Advisory (C.A.R. Form REO 4/08) that goes along with an offer on a bank-owned property. This form clearly defines disclosure Exemptions and Requirements that pertain to REO property transactions.
Obviously, the bank never lived in the house, so they are exempt from providing the Transfer Disclosure Statement. Additionally, REO lenders are exempt from disclosing Mello-Roos and 1915 Bond Act Assessments, as well as Private Transfer Taxes. And, they are not obligated to provide you and your buyer with the Residential Environmental Hazards Booklet.
Included on the list of EXEMPTIONS is the Natural Hazards Disclosure Statement (NHDS), but…….REO lenders are "…not exempt from applicable statutory obligations to disclose earthquake fault zones, seismic hazard zones, state responsibility areas, very high fire hazard severity zones, special flood hazard areas and flood hazard zones…" Of course, this information is typically included in disclosure reports obtainable from third-party disclosure companies.
But, keep this is mind….whether the bank discloses or not, Realtors should take a moral approach to real estate disclosure. Obviously you want to avoid lawsuits and reduce liability. However, reduced liability is a marginal benefit of disclosure; it shouldn’t be the primary motive. The best reason…….it’s just the right thing to do! Instead of focusing on liability, you ought to be supporting the best interests of your client. Who is the beneficiary of a disclosure report? It’s your buyer! Realtors, who pursue that approach rather than the legalistic one, enjoy rewards. Not only do they build solid reputations for honest, ethical business practice, but they receive repeat business and referrals created by a sound reputation. Weather the bank is or not…..you should be practical about disclosure. Remember, you’re in the service business. Treat your clients the same way you’d like to be treated. If you approach your dealings from this prospective, you will surely succeed in building a solid business with referral clients and repeat customers for years to come.
***********************************************************************************************
Yvonne Nelson
Assistant Vice President
Fidelity National Home Warranty & Disclosure Source
800-308-1424 ext 3518
Filed under Blog, Elite News & Updates, Home Warranty, Marketing by Yvonne Nelson
October 27, 2008
Seven MLSs create the Largest MLS Data Share in Northern California from Fidelity National Home Warranty
Hello Elite,
As promised, I will continue to provide my fellow Real Estate Professipnals with news that affects our industry.
Yvonne Nelson
Fidelity National Home Warranty and Disclosure Source
800-308-1424 ext 3518
**************************************************************************************************************
Seven MLSs create the Largest MLS Data Share in Northern California
New data sharing arrangement expands listing info to 70,000 agents in 21 Northern California Counties
Northern Calif. (September 15, 2008) – The three MLSs in the San Francisco East Bay Area today announced they are participating with major MLSs in Northern California in a program to exchange MLS data. The Bay East Association of REALTORS® MLS, the Contra Costa Association of REALTORS® MLS and East Bay Regional Data, Inc will be sharing MLS listing data with MLSListings Inc and with Quattro (an existing data sharing initiative that includes San Francisco Association of REALTORS® [SFAR], Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. [BAREIS MLS®] and MetroList Services, Inc. [Metrolist®]). Together, these seven MLSs represent 70,000 real estate brokers and agents from 21 counties in Northern California.
The cooperative agreement takes advantage of the unique character and rich data found in each participating MLS. Real estate practitioners throughout this large area will be able to access any one of the MLS systems, enabling them to find property information across multiple market areas regardless of geographic boundaries. In addition to full reciprocal MLS access for users, the agreement allows each participating MLS to maintain separate databases that aggregate the data from all seven MLSs. Users who prefer to see all of the data in a single location can use one of the aggregated databases. They will no longer have to pay additional fees to access other MLSs. Brokers who maintain proprietary software systems for use by their agents will also benefit from the new data share. They will be able to download data from all of participating MLS’s databases in a single data stream instead of downloading data from each MLS individually.
“Together with our neighboring MLSs, we look forward to giving agents and brokers access to high quality property databases at no extra cost. This data share will enable real estate professionals to provide more comprehensive and accurate information to their clients in the home buying and selling process” said Melrose Forde, President of the Bay East Association of REALTORS®. “
CCAR President, Moses Guillory noted, “The expanded access this agreement allows for is great news for Brokers/Agents and consumers alike. By cooperating, we are expanding the property search experience, yet at the same time, retaining the unique flavor that characterizes each of our distinct market areas and the consumers they represent.”
“We are thrilled to be part of such an important data sharing arrangement. EBRDI and the other MLSs involved in this initiative can now provide the very best listing information in a larger geographic area while still maintaining the highest level of superior local service, training and market knowledge which is paramount to our member’s local success, “said Becky Tobin, President and CEO of EBRDI.
Brokers and agents will continue to obtain locally delivered services as they do now from their local MLS or MLS of their choice. The data aggregation and reciprocal access project is expected to be complete sometime in the first quarter of 2009.
About Quattro
Through an information-sharing agreement, San Francisco Association of Realtors, Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. and MetroList Services, Inc. provide live, real-time reciprocal MLS access to each other’s systems. In addition, data is merged into a common data set in Quattro. Authorized individuals have the ability to directly access Quattro for a single, combined data feed offering operational efficiencies not possible before. Quattro provides real estate professionals with access to property listings in 15 California counties (El Dorado, Napa, Solano, Lake, Placer, Sonoma, Marin, Sacramento, Stanislaus, Mendocino, San Francisco, Yolo, West Merced, San Joaquin and North San Mateo) and more than 18 thousand square miles serving a population of 5.6 million people.
About Bay East Association of REALTORS®
Since 1947, the Bay East Association of REALTORS® has been providing MLS services to real estate professionals in Southern Alameda County. Agents, brokers and appraisers who belong to the Bay East MLS have access to comprehensive property information for homes in Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, San Leandro, Hayward, Newark, Union City, Fremont, Sunol, Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore. Serving over 6,400 MLS users, the Bay East Association of REALTORS® offers, education programs, professional development, and emerging technologies that enable agents and brokers to provide quality real estate service.
About Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®
The Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®, located in Central Contra Costa County, has been serving its members since 1921. The central county includes the communities of Alamo, Blackhawk, Clayton, Clyde, Concord, Danville, Diablo, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill, Rossmoor, San Ramon and Walnut Creek. The Association is dedicated to providing the most innovative and highest quality services, programs, and products to positively impact the success of its 4,000 members who provide real estate brokerage services to clients throughout the East Bay and beyond.
About East Bay Regional Data, Inc.
East Bay Regional Data is a California corporation owned by the Alameda Association of REALTORS®, the Berkeley Association of REALTORS®, the Delta Association of REALTORS®, the Oakland Association of REALTORS® and the West Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®. East Bay Regional Data resulted from the desire of professional real estate associations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to provide their members with access to a broader market for listing and selling real estate by providing a single, centralized MLS system. East Bay Regional Data was incorporated in September 1991 and began to provide services to MLS subscriber members in April 1992. Through East Bay Regional Data, licensed real estate brokers, agents and appraisers receive on-line access to comprehensive listing information about current, pending and off market properties listed by other EBRDI Participants.
About MLSListings Inc
MLSListings Inc formally launched in 2007 after considerable effort to consolidate the region’s MLS systems. MLSListings is designed to more effectively meet the current and future MLS needs of the region’s real estate professionals. Specifically, MLSListings provides a smart and simple solution to meet the challenges of conducting business across a large geographical area in which multiple MLS organizations with disparate rules, fee structures, and procedures inhibit the manner in which brokers and agents can effectively meet the needs of homebuyers. MLSListings formally acquired RE InfoLink and Central Valley MLS in 2007 and continues to work with neighboring MLS providers to enhance service to its customers. MLSListings represents nearly 20,000 MLS subscribers. MLSListings is governed by the brokerage community, and owned by Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Silicon Valley, San Mateo, Monterey, Watsonville, San Benito and Central Valley associations of REALTORS®.
About Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. (BAREIS MLS®)
Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. was created on October 22, 1997. The organizations that founded BAREIS are the Marin Association of REALTORS®, Napa Association of REALTORS®, Northern Solano Association of REALTORS®, Solano Association of REALTORS® and the Sonoma County Multiple Listing Service. The Mendocino County MLS joined the effort in 2001, and the Coastal Co-op MLS in 2005. BAREIS MLS® now serves approximately 10,200 members in five counties, including Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma.
About MetroList Services, Inc. (MetroList®)
Headquartered in Sacramento, MetroList Services, Inc. is the largest multiple listing service in Northern California. Formed in 1985, Metrolist is 50 percent owned by the California Real Estate Brokers, Inc. and by the Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, Placer County Association of REALTORS®, El Dorado County Association of REALTORS®, Lodi Association of REALTORS®, and the Yolo County Association of REALTORS®. MetroList acts as a seamless real estate information network serving more than 20,000 real estate professionals in seven counties, including El Dorado, Merced, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Yolo.
About San Francisco Association of REALTORS® (SFAR)
The San Francisco Association of REALTORS® was founded in 1905. It antedates both the National Association of REALTORS® and the California Association of REALTORS® and was active in the formation of both of these organizations. SFAR provides sophisticated business-related products and services to its more than 4,500 REALTOR® members in San Francisco and North San Mateo County.
Seven MLSs create the Largest MLS Data Share in Northern California
New data sharing arrangement expands listing info to 70,000 agents in 21 Northern California Counties
Northern Calif. (September 15, 2008) – The three MLSs in the San Francisco East Bay Area today announced they are participating with major MLSs in Northern California in a program to exchange MLS data. The Bay East Association of REALTORS® MLS, the Contra Costa Association of REALTORS® MLS and East Bay Regional Data, Inc will be sharing MLS listing data with MLSListings Inc and with Quattro (an existing data sharing initiative that includes San Francisco Association of REALTORS® [SFAR], Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. [BAREIS MLS®] and MetroList Services, Inc. [Metrolist®]). Together, these seven MLSs represent 70,000 real estate brokers and agents from 21 counties in Northern California.
The cooperative agreement takes advantage of the unique character and rich data found in each participating MLS. Real estate practitioners throughout this large area will be able to access any one of the MLS systems, enabling them to find property information across multiple market areas regardless of geographic boundaries. In addition to full reciprocal MLS access for users, the agreement allows each participating MLS to maintain separate databases that aggregate the data from all seven MLSs. Users who prefer to see all of the data in a single location can use one of the aggregated databases. They will no longer have to pay additional fees to access other MLSs. Brokers who maintain proprietary software systems for use by their agents will also benefit from the new data share. They will be able to download data from all of participating MLS’s databases in a single data stream instead of downloading data from each MLS individually.
“Together with our neighboring MLSs, we look forward to giving agents and brokers access to high quality property databases at no extra cost. This data share will enable real estate professionals to provide more comprehensive and accurate information to their clients in the home buying and selling process” said Melrose Forde, President of the Bay East Association of REALTORS®. “
CCAR President, Moses Guillory noted, “The expanded access this agreement allows for is great news for Brokers/Agents and consumers alike. By cooperating, we are expanding the property search experience, yet at the same time, retaining the unique flavor that characterizes each of our distinct market areas and the consumers they represent.”
“We are thrilled to be part of such an important data sharing arrangement. EBRDI and the other MLSs involved in this initiative can now provide the very best listing information in a larger geographic area while still maintaining the highest level of superior local service, training and market knowledge which is paramount to our member’s local success, “said Becky Tobin, President and CEO of EBRDI.
Brokers and agents will continue to obtain locally delivered services as they do now from their local MLS or MLS of their choice. The data aggregation and reciprocal access project is expected to be complete sometime in the first quarter of 2009.
About Quattro
Through an information-sharing agreement, San Francisco Association of Realtors, Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. and MetroList Services, Inc. provide live, real-time reciprocal MLS access to each other’s systems. In addition, data is merged into a common data set in Quattro. Authorized individuals have the ability to directly access Quattro for a single, combined data feed offering operational efficiencies not possible before. Quattro provides real estate professionals with access to property listings in 15 California counties (El Dorado, Napa, Solano, Lake, Placer, Sonoma, Marin, Sacramento, Stanislaus, Mendocino, San Francisco, Yolo, West Merced, San Joaquin and North San Mateo) and more than 18 thousand square miles serving a population of 5.6 million people.
About Bay East Association of REALTORS®
Since 1947, the Bay East Association of REALTORS® has been providing MLS services to real estate professionals in Southern Alameda County. Agents, brokers and appraisers who belong to the Bay East MLS have access to comprehensive property information for homes in Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, San Leandro, Hayward, Newark, Union City, Fremont, Sunol, Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore. Serving over 6,400 MLS users, the Bay East Association of REALTORS® offers, education programs, professional development, and emerging technologies that enable agents and brokers to provide quality real estate service.
About Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®
The Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®, located in Central Contra Costa County, has been serving its members since 1921. The central county includes the communities of Alamo, Blackhawk, Clayton, Clyde, Concord, Danville, Diablo, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill, Rossmoor, San Ramon and Walnut Creek. The Association is dedicated to providing the most innovative and highest quality services, programs, and products to positively impact the success of its 4,000 members who provide real estate brokerage services to clients throughout the East Bay and beyond.
About East Bay Regional Data, Inc.
East Bay Regional Data is a California corporation owned by the Alameda Association of REALTORS®, the Berkeley Association of REALTORS®, the Delta Association of REALTORS®, the Oakland Association of REALTORS® and the West Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®. East Bay Regional Data resulted from the desire of professional real estate associations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to provide their members with access to a broader market for listing and selling real estate by providing a single, centralized MLS system. East Bay Regional Data was incorporated in September 1991 and began to provide services to MLS subscriber members in April 1992. Through East Bay Regional Data, licensed real estate brokers, agents and appraisers receive on-line access to comprehensive listing information about current, pending and off market properties listed by other EBRDI Participants.
About MLSListings Inc
MLSListings Inc formally launched in 2007 after considerable effort to consolidate the region’s MLS systems. MLSListings is designed to more effectively meet the current and future MLS needs of the region’s real estate professionals. Specifically, MLSListings provides a smart and simple solution to meet the challenges of conducting business across a large geographical area in which multiple MLS organizations with disparate rules, fee structures, and procedures inhibit the manner in which brokers and agents can effectively meet the needs of homebuyers. MLSListings formally acquired RE InfoLink and Central Valley MLS in 2007 and continues to work with neighboring MLS providers to enhance service to its customers. MLSListings represents nearly 20,000 MLS subscribers. MLSListings is governed by the brokerage community, and owned by Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Silicon Valley, San Mateo, Monterey, Watsonville, San Benito and Central Valley associations of REALTORS®.
About Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. (BAREIS MLS®)
Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. was created on October 22, 1997. The organizations that founded BAREIS are the Marin Association of REALTORS®, Napa Association of REALTORS®, Northern Solano Association of REALTORS®, Solano Association of REALTORS® and the Sonoma County Multiple Listing Service. The Mendocino County MLS joined the effort in 2001, and the Coastal Co-op MLS in 2005. BAREIS MLS® now serves approximately 10,200 members in five counties, including Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma.
About MetroList Services, Inc. (MetroList®)
Headquartered in Sacramento, MetroList Services, Inc. is the largest multiple listing service in Northern California. Formed in 1985, Metrolist is 50 percent owned by the California Real Estate Brokers, Inc. and by the Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, Placer County Association of REALTORS®, El Dorado County Association of REALTORS®, Lodi Association of REALTORS®, and the Yolo County Association of REALTORS®. MetroList acts as a seamless real estate information network serving more than 20,000 real estate professionals in seven counties, including El Dorado, Merced, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Yolo.
About San Francisco Association of REALTORS® (SFAR)
The San Francisco Association of REALTORS® was founded in 1905. It antedates both the National Association of REALTORS® and the California Association of REALTORS® and was active in the formation of both of these organizations. SFAR provides sophisticated business-related products and services to its more than 4,500 REALTOR® members in San Francisco and North San Mateo County.
Seven MLSs create the Largest MLS Data Share in Northern California
New data sharing arrangement expands listing info to 70,000 agents in 21 Northern California Counties
Northern Calif. (September 15, 2008) – The three MLSs in the San Francisco East Bay Area today announced they are participating with major MLSs in Northern California in a program to exchange MLS data. The Bay East Association of REALTORS® MLS, the Contra Costa Association of REALTORS® MLS and East Bay Regional Data, Inc will be sharing MLS listing data with MLSListings Inc and with Quattro (an existing data sharing initiative that includes San Francisco Association of REALTORS® [SFAR], Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. [BAREIS MLS®] and MetroList Services, Inc. [Metrolist®]). Together, these seven MLSs represent 70,000 real estate brokers and agents from 21 counties in Northern California.
The cooperative agreement takes advantage of the unique character and rich data found in each participating MLS. Real estate practitioners throughout this large area will be able to access any one of the MLS systems, enabling them to find property information across multiple market areas regardless of geographic boundaries. In addition to full reciprocal MLS access for users, the agreement allows each participating MLS to maintain separate databases that aggregate the data from all seven MLSs. Users who prefer to see all of the data in a single location can use one of the aggregated databases. They will no longer have to pay additional fees to access other MLSs. Brokers who maintain proprietary software systems for use by their agents will also benefit from the new data share. They will be able to download data from all of participating MLS’s databases in a single data stream instead of downloading data from each MLS individually.
“Together with our neighboring MLSs, we look forward to giving agents and brokers access to high quality property databases at no extra cost. This data share will enable real estate professionals to provide more comprehensive and accurate information to their clients in the home buying and selling process” said Melrose Forde, President of the Bay East Association of REALTORS®. “
CCAR President, Moses Guillory noted, “The expanded access this agreement allows for is great news for Brokers/Agents and consumers alike. By cooperating, we are expanding the property search experience, yet at the same time, retaining the unique flavor that characterizes each of our distinct market areas and the consumers they represent.”
“We are thrilled to be part of such an important data sharing arrangement. EBRDI and the other MLSs involved in this initiative can now provide the very best listing information in a larger geographic area while still maintaining the highest level of superior local service, training and market knowledge which is paramount to our member’s local success, “said Becky Tobin, President and CEO of EBRDI.
Brokers and agents will continue to obtain locally delivered services as they do now from their local MLS or MLS of their choice. The data aggregation and reciprocal access project is expected to be complete sometime in the first quarter of 2009.
About Quattro
Through an information-sharing agreement, San Francisco Association of Realtors, Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. and MetroList Services, Inc. provide live, real-time reciprocal MLS access to each other’s systems. In addition, data is merged into a common data set in Quattro. Authorized individuals have the ability to directly access Quattro for a single, combined data feed offering operational efficiencies not possible before. Quattro provides real estate professionals with access to property listings in 15 California counties (El Dorado, Napa, Solano, Lake, Placer, Sonoma, Marin, Sacramento, Stanislaus, Mendocino, San Francisco, Yolo, West Merced, San Joaquin and North San Mateo) and more than 18 thousand square miles serving a population of 5.6 million people.
About Bay East Association of REALTORS®
Since 1947, the Bay East Association of REALTORS® has been providing MLS services to real estate professionals in Southern Alameda County. Agents, brokers and appraisers who belong to the Bay East MLS have access to comprehensive property information for homes in Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, San Leandro, Hayward, Newark, Union City, Fremont, Sunol, Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore. Serving over 6,400 MLS users, the Bay East Association of REALTORS® offers, education programs, professional development, and emerging technologies that enable agents and brokers to provide quality real estate service.
About Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®
The Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®, located in Central Contra Costa County, has been serving its members since 1921. The central county includes the communities of Alamo, Blackhawk, Clayton, Clyde, Concord, Danville, Diablo, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Orinda, Pacheco, Pleasant Hill, Rossmoor, San Ramon and Walnut Creek. The Association is dedicated to providing the most innovative and highest quality services, programs, and products to positively impact the success of its 4,000 members who provide real estate brokerage services to clients throughout the East Bay and beyond.
About East Bay Regional Data, Inc.
East Bay Regional Data is a California corporation owned by the Alameda Association of REALTORS®, the Berkeley Association of REALTORS®, the Delta Association of REALTORS®, the Oakland Association of REALTORS® and the West Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®. East Bay Regional Data resulted from the desire of professional real estate associations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to provide their members with access to a broader market for listing and selling real estate by providing a single, centralized MLS system. East Bay Regional Data was incorporated in September 1991 and began to provide services to MLS subscriber members in April 1992. Through East Bay Regional Data, licensed real estate brokers, agents and appraisers receive on-line access to comprehensive listing information about current, pending and off market properties listed by other EBRDI Participants.
About MLSListings Inc
MLSListings Inc formally launched in 2007 after considerable effort to consolidate the region’s MLS systems. MLSListings is designed to more effectively meet the current and future MLS needs of the region’s real estate professionals. Specifically, MLSListings provides a smart and simple solution to meet the challenges of conducting business across a large geographical area in which multiple MLS organizations with disparate rules, fee structures, and procedures inhibit the manner in which brokers and agents can effectively meet the needs of homebuyers. MLSListings formally acquired RE InfoLink and Central Valley MLS in 2007 and continues to work with neighboring MLS providers to enhance service to its customers. MLSListings represents nearly 20,000 MLS subscribers. MLSListings is governed by the brokerage community, and owned by Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Silicon Valley, San Mateo, Monterey, Watsonville, San Benito and Central Valley associations of REALTORS®.
About Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. (BAREIS MLS®)
Bay Area Real Estate Information Services, Inc. was created on October 22, 1997. The organizations that founded BAREIS are the Marin Association of REALTORS®, Napa Association of REALTORS®, Northern Solano Association of REALTORS®, Solano Association of REALTORS® and the Sonoma County Multiple Listing Service. The Mendocino County MLS joined the effort in 2001, and the Coastal Co-op MLS in 2005. BAREIS MLS® now serves approximately 10,200 members in five counties, including Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma.
About MetroList Services, Inc. (MetroList®)
Headquartered in Sacramento, MetroList Services, Inc. is the largest multiple listing service in Northern California. Formed in 1985, Metrolist is 50 percent owned by the California Real Estate Brokers, Inc. and by the Sacramento Association of REALTORS®, Placer County Association of REALTORS®, El Dorado County Association of REALTORS®, Lodi Association of REALTORS®, and the Yolo County Association of REALTORS®. MetroList acts as a seamless real estate information network serving more than 20,000 real estate professionals in seven counties, including El Dorado, Merced, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Yolo.
About San Francisco Association of REALTORS® (SFAR)
The San Francisco Association of REALTORS® was founded in 1905. It antedates both the National Association of REALTORS® and the California Association of REALTORS® and was active in the formation of both of these organizations. SFAR provides sophisticated business-related products and services to its more than 4,500 REALTOR® members in San Francisco and North San Mateo County.
Yvonne Nelson
Assistant Vice President
Fidelity National Home Warranty and Disclosure Source
800-308-1424 ext 3518
Filed under Blog, Elite News & Updates, Home Warranty, Marketing, Title & Escrow by Yvonne Nelson
October 14, 2008
Understanding Tax Credits for Energy Efficient Home Improvements from Fidelity National Home Warranty
Part of my job and due diligence as Assistant Vice President and Senior Account Manager for 10 years with Fidelity National Home Warranty and Disclosure Source NHD Reports is to bring my clients and real estate professionals newsworthy industry related facts, news, information, market trends and value.
Sharing of information gives us all the ability to help our past, present and future clients make intelligent and knowledgable real estate decisions.
Check my post often. As I get "Hot off the Press" news of value I will pass it along to my fellow real estate professionals. Lets all stay on top of our game and well informed. I would love to read your information also.
Yvonne Nelson
Assistant Vice President
Fidelity National Home Warranty and Disclosure Source
800-308-1424 ext 3518
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On October 3, 2008, President Bush signed into law the "Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008." This bill extended tax credits for energy efficient home improvements (windows, doors, roofs, insulation, HVAC, and water heaters). Tax credits for these residential products, which had expired at the end of 2007, will now be available for improvements made during 2009. However, improvements made during 2008 are not eligible for a tax credit.
The products that are covered by the tax credit in 2009 include:
- insulation
- windows (including storm windows)
- skylights
- doors (including patio & sliding glass)
- metal roofs
- asphalt roofs
- Central air conditioners
- Air source heat pumps
- Geo-thermal heat pumps
- Gas, Oil, or Propane Furnace or Hot Water Boiler
- Advanced Main Air Circulating Fans
- Gas, Oil or Propane Water Heaters
- Electric Heat Pump Water Heaters
- Solar Water Heaters
- Photovoltaic Systems (solar panels)
- Fuel Cells
Products not covered by the tax credit included:
- refrigerators
- dishwashers
- clothes washers
- Room air conditioners
- Ceiling fans
- Programmable thermostats
For more information on products covered by the tax credit, visit www.energystar.gov/taxcredits
Yvonne Nelson 
Assistant Vice President
Fidelity National Home Warranty and Disclosure Source
800-308-1424 ext 3518
Filed under Blog, Elite News & Updates, Home Warranty, Marketing, Title & Escrow by Yvonne Nelson
Mark Your Calendars for Tuesday June 10th, 2008 @ 2pm for an all you can eat ice cream social with all the trimmings.
I will be giving information on following topics that are important in today’s market:
- 7 things you must know about dealing with Bank Owned Title Companies
- What you need to know about Home Warranty Plans for the Foreclosure Market
- What are new buyers expecting of home warranty proctection plans?
- NEW!!! - Fidelity Home Warranty’s New & Enhanced 2008 Protection
Please post a comment below to register so that I can bring enough sweets and toppings for everyone.
See you all there!
Yours Truly,
Yvonne Nelson
Fidelity Home Warranty
800.308.1424 x 3518 (this pages me)
yvonne.nelson@fnf.com
Filed under Elite News & Updates, Home Warranty, Title & Escrow, Training by Yvonne Nelson
Hello Elite!
Yvonne Nelson, Fidelity National Home Warranty
I wanted to take the opportunity to thank Robert Do for the great tips and reminder about the necessity to have a ongoing and consistent target marketing plan.
Please call or email me at your earliest convenience and let me share with you all of the amazing marketing tools and supplies that me and Fidelity National Home Warranty provide our Real Estate Professionals. The marketing programs I can share with you will help you get to the top of your game and most of them are FREE.
I want to work together with each and everyone of you to be a part of your success.
Lets get together soon…………..Spring is here, prices are great, rates are great and together we can put in place the right marketing plans to get the word out to your clients.
See you at the office soon.
Yvonne Nelson
FIDELITY NATIONAL HOME WARRANTY & DISCLOSURE SOURCE
1800-308-1424 ext 3518
PS - in addition to Fidelity National Home Warranty don’t forget to ask for Disclosure Source Natural Hazard Reports - the most complete, compliant and legal reports in the NHD industry.
Filed under Blog, Elite News & Updates, Home Warranty, Marketing by Yvonne Nelson
March 13, 2008
Grand Opening Spectacular & Fidelity Home Warranty
Hello everyone at Elite Realty Services,
This is Yvonne Nelson from Fidelity Home Warranty and i am so proud to be a Premier Sponsor of your Grand Opening Event this Saturday.
Fidelity Home Warranty will be the sponsor of the Monty Carlo Event.
I can not wait to see you all Saturday for some fun and celebration.
Best Regards,
Yvonne Nelson
Assistant Vice President
Fidelity National Home Warranty & Disclosure Source
800-308-1424 ext.3518
Filed under Blog, Blogroll, Elite News & Updates, Home Warranty by Yvonne Nelson
January 21, 2008
What’s your Goal this Year?
Well, another year has come and gone, and now it is that time of year when we take a good hard look at ourselves and determine if we like what we see. Professionally, I could not be in a better place. I work for a great company, Old Republic Home Protection, who puts our customers ahead of everything else. In the Home Warranty business, what more could you ask for? I also have the pleasure of working with some of the best real estate professionals in the nation. I look forward to partnering with all of you to create a very successful 2008.
In order to continue to grow (spiritually, intellectually and professionally), we all need to look at what we do and figure out how to do it even better. For me, this year is all about setting goals that make me a better person. One of my goals is to be in healthier physical shape in 2008, and I am asking for your help with this one. If you see me at a mixer, offer me a diet soda - it’s hard to get fit when drinking alcohol. And whenever possible, let’s take the stairs together instead of riding the elevator. It is the "little things" that add up to make the "big thing" a reality!
Now that you know what you can do to help me, what can I do to help you be more successful in achieving your goals in 2008? Maybe by sharing our goals, we can all lend support to each other to meet our goals. So please feel free to post a comment. I’d love to hear what you are striving for, and how I can help you make it a reality in 2008!
Rico Rivera
Account Executive
Old Republic Home Protection
800-282-7131, Ext. 1280
916-254-8448 Cell
RicoR@orhp.com
www.orhp.com
“As long as you’re going to be thinking, think big.”~Donald Trump"
Reminder: Just in time for 2008, Old Republic Home Protection has also looked at what we do and figured out how to do it better. Available now is the new Enhanced Platinum Plus Home Warranty Plan, which provides the most comprehensive coverage available in the industry! Be sure to recommend and order the new Platinum Plus coverage for all of your clients. I promise that both you and your clients will be glad you did!
Filed under Blog, Home Warranty by Rico Rivera
January 7, 2008
Lunch & Learn with Rico Rivera Old Republic Home Protection.
Hello Elite Agents,
Rico Rivera here and I just wanted to let you know that I am putting on a Special "Lunch & Learn" training for Elite Agents next week on Tuesday January 15th, 2008 at 12:00pm at the New SuperCenter Office.
The training will last approximately 1 hour and here are just a few of the topics I will be covering:
- RED Flags pertaining to home warranty plans and what you should be aware of
- What makes Old Republic’s home warranty plans unique compared to all the other plans out there.
- How you can save time and $$$ using Old Republic Home Protection.
Please let me know if you are attending by responding to this post so I can prepare enough food/beverages and training materials to accommodate everyone.
I look forward to seeing you all next week.
Regards,
Rico Rivera
916.254.8448
ricor@orhp.com
Old Republic Home Protection.
Filed under Blog, Elite News & Updates, Home Warranty, Marketing by Elite Realty Services
