Join 695 other subscribers
MRED Blog
REinventing MLS
Category Archives: Breaking News
MRED’s Newest Thing – Better Than the Old Thing
Posted by on November 7, 2013
Infosparks Has Taken Chicagoland by Storm
LISLE, ILLINOIS (November 7, 2013) – Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED), Chicagoland’s multiple listing service (MLS), announced today that the new interactive market analytics tool Infosparks has gotten a tremendous reception from MRED customers. Infosparks is the latest version of The Thing, the extremely popular service that MRED customers have been using for over two years. MRED customers are able to deliver timely, relevant, detailed metrics in their markets thanks to this cutting-edge program provided by 10K Research and Marketing.
Infosparks has some great new features, including the ability to be used on the iPad and other tablets. Its introduction has resulted in some very positive feedback from its users.
Leslie Ebersole, a top producing broker at Baird & Warner in St. Charles, loves to incorporate the newest tools available for improving her business. She said, “The number one question that agents are asked is probably ‘how’s the market?’ Infosparks is a really slick new tool provided by MRED that lets agents show real time data on their website, blog or in email marketing. It’s incredibly easy to make dynamic interactive charts that show exactly what is happening in any MLS area. The charts are automatically updated so that clients can see the most recent data at any time. If you’ve spent endless hours writing market reports in the past — or never taken it on because it’s too time consuming — then give Infosparks a try. Put this killer content on your website, sit back and wait for the compliments to roll in.”
Lynn Madison, Managing Broker of Lynn Madison, REALTOR, owner of Madison Seminars, and current Treasurer of the Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS®, said, “Infosparks is an amazing tool that helps real estate practitioners communicate the reality of the market to the public. The information out there on the Internet just isn’t accurate. Our clients need real information, and Infosparks is an easy and efficient way to deliver that information to our buyers and sellers. Any time we can show them in easy to read charts and graphs rather than just tell them the information, it enhances their knowledge of what is really happening in the market.”
“When we launched our first interactive market analytics product, The Thing, it was a revelation,” said Greg Sax, Vice President of 10K Research and Marketing. “Infosparks has addressed former limitations of mobile-readiness, multiple-area comparisons, the sharing of live-data widgets and more options in less physical space. Working with MRED is awesome because they know every nuance of their market data and frequently advance the scope of our tools for the betterment of the Chicagoland marketplace.”
“MRED’s dedication to progress and improvement never ceases,” said MRED CEO Russ Bergeron. “As popular as The Thing has been for our customers, Infosparks is a significant step forward. It is like having a brand new product, and we are thrilled to have it available now for MRED customers.”
About MRED
Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) is the real estate data aggregator and distributor providing the Chicagoland multiple listing service (MLS) to nearly 40,000 brokers and appraisers and 8,000 offices. MRED serves Chicago and the surrounding “collar” counties and provides property information encompassing northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin and northwest Indiana. MRED delivers over twenty products and services to its customers, complementing connectMLS™, the top-rated MLS system in the country per the latest WAV Group MLS Technology Survey. MRED is the 2013 Inman News Most Innovative MLS/Real Estate Trade Association. For more information please visit MREDLLC.com.
About 10K Research and Marketing
10K Research and Marketing, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Minneapolis Area Association of REALTORS®, is a growing research and technology firm that serves REALTOR® associations, MLS organizations, brokers and other real estate companies in more than 150 markets throughout North America. 10K creates interactive market analytics products, statewide data-reporting initiatives and an abundance of easy-to-read market reports. www.10kresearch.com
New connectMLS Photo Manager
Posted by on October 15, 2013
Introducing the new connectMLSTM Photo Manager
with Advanced Photo Edit Capabilities
- Photo management in connectMLSTM has been enhanced with some powerful features that take full advantage of modern browsers, including Internet Explorer 10 (IE 10), Firefox, Chrome, Safari and Opera
- This new photo management capability also works on most mobile devices
- It’s now easier to view, add, and edit photo titles and captions
- There are new ways to reorder/reposition photos
- You can correct and perfect photos with Advanced Editing features
Take a couple of minutes and review the release notes to learn more about this new functionality
Any questions? You can always contact the MRED Help Desk at 630-955-2755 or help.desk@mredllc.com
MRED CEO Elected to 2013 RESO Board of Directors
Posted by on October 30, 2012
Chicagoland MLS Giant Is First Charter Member
of the Real Estate Standards Organization
LISLE, IL–(Marketwire – Oct 30, 2012) – Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED), Chicagoland’s multiple listing service (MLS), has announced that its Chief Executive Officer Russ Bergeron has been elected to the 2013 Board of Directors of the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO).
RESO is a group of real estate organizations working together to develop and implement data standards and processes that support innovation, ensure portability, eliminate redundancies and obtain maximum efficiencies for all parties participating in the real estate transaction. RESO’s ultimate goal is a fully automated real estate transaction facilitated by data standards and processes accepted by real estate professionals everywhere.
The Real Estate Transaction Standard (RETS) is a common language spoken by systems handling real estate information, such as multiple listing services (MLSs). Most of RESO’s work currently involves RETS and data definitions to be utilized within RETS. Standardization of data fields and ease of portability of data are of the highest priority to MRED and other MLSs for efficiency of data delivery and the minimizing of expense related to these activities.
“MRED has demonstrated its commitment to RESO and the work it is doing to create accepted data standards and processes by being its first Charter Member,” said Bergeron. “I am thrilled to be elected to the RESO Board of Directors and look forward to directly supporting its very worthy mission and initiatives.”
In addition to the 2013 RESO Board, Bergeron was recently elected to serve on the Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS) Board. “It is important that MRED has a ‘seat at the table’ and participates in organizations shaping the future of real estate, like RESO and CMLS,” added Bergeron. “It is gratifying personally that I have been given the opportunity to extend MRED’s influence throughout the real estate industry.”
About MRED
Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) is the real estate data aggregator and distributor providing the Chicagoland multiple listing service (MLS) to nearly 40,000 brokers, agents and appraisers and 8,000 offices. MRED serves Chicago and the surrounding “collar” counties and provides property information encompassing northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin and northwest Indiana. For more information, visit www.MREDLLC.com.
Chicagoland Realtors® Elect MRED’s Agent-Branded App as Clear Winner
Posted by on October 18, 2012
There is No Debating the Value of the new Midwest Homes™
LISLE, ILLINOIS (October 18, 2011) – Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) (www.mredllc.com), the Chicagoland multiple listing service (MLS), has announced the introduction of an agent-branded IDX listing search as part of its Midwest Homes™ app suite. This mobile app puts the agent’s brand in front of their customers, turning every home listed into a virtual flyer promoting that agent and generating real-time leads.
Earlier this year, MRED premiered Midwest Homes™ to give their real estate professionals an MLS home searching app. Midwest Homes™ was developed in partnership with iKenex, the mobile division of DoApp, a top five mobile developer. Featuring interactive map searching and geo-location technology, Midwest Homes™ makes it easy to find nearby for-sale listings. While doing business on the go, MRED practitioners can log in to obtain a rich set of data for all of the homes listed for sale in their MLS. Midwest Homes™ can be downloaded for free at the app stores and is fully functional on iPhones, Androids, and iPads.
With the introduction of the Agent Branded MLS Search App, MRED customers can now personalize the Midwest Homes™ app, directing their clients to their preferred app store for a free download that is personalized to their agent. With consumers gravitating to the mobile world at an ever-increasing rate, Midwest Homes™ offers agents the ability to deliver a cutting-edge mobile MLS consumer search while reinforcing their relationship with their clients. This functionality is available for only a $30 set up charge and $5.99 per month for unlimited downloads.
“MRED is known for their leadership in world-class technologies that make agents and brokers more productive and successful,” said Dave Borrillo, Chief Technology Officer of DoApp. “Because we share those goals, we look forward to continuing our partnership with them to provide mobile apps that not only increase productivity, but also help agents better serve their clients. We are really excited about some brand new capabilities specifically geared for the unique needs of MRED.”
“We are totally committed to mobile and providing our customers with the tools they need to succeed on all of the major mobile platforms existing today,” said MRED CEO Russ Bergeron. “Midwest Homes™ provides a top of the line mobile MLS search for our real estate professionals while giving them the ability to deliver branded search capabilities to their clients. This is a win for everybody, especially the consumer.”
MRED Begins the Season With a Win
Posted by on September 13, 2012
Fans Respond Positively to the New Look and Enhanced Functionality of MREDLLC.com
LISLE, IL–(Marketwire – Sep 13, 2012) – Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED), Chicagoland’s multiple listing service (MLS), announced that the new MREDLLC.com has been successfully launched and is enjoying a great reception from MRED real estate professionals.
This redesigned website gives real estate professionals across the Midwest a more interactive and user friendly site with which to learn about the extensive suite of products and services provided by MRED, including easy access to its workhorse MLS system, connectMLS™. This new site is the place to find tools Realtors® can use, and to discover all the information and training on how to use them.
“Love it,” said Debbie Marwitz of Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell in Cary. “Everything you need is right there in front of you. Love the ‘top stories’ scrolling at the top and the direct link to connectMLS™. The bottom quick clicks which take you right to the answers — home, statistics, training, etc. — awesome! This site is so easy to navigate. GREAT job! Thanks for all your work on this!”
“OK, so my head is now spinning with this new website,” said Kathy Przybyla of RE/MAX of Barrington. “All of the wonderful options you have given the Realtor® community — thanks!”
Users find the new MREDLLC.com to be easy to navigate and very user friendly. The tabs across the top of the site give the visitor quick and easy access to general information on various topics. The powerful search feature allows you to enter a keyword and all documentation, links and information matching that keyword will be immediately available and accessible.
“I noticed the change right away and I am very pleased with it,” said Valerie DeMarco, of Prudential Starck Realtors in Palatine. “I think that the folks behind MRED have worked diligently to bring us the best MLS service out there. I love my MLS! I like that I can access different feature information right from the home page… and it is more visually appealing than the old website.”
“I thought it was neat to learn about the power search feature that I have not paid attention to while on connectMLS™,” said Bob Little, Jr., of Little Realty in Naperville. “I like that there is a ton of information that is easy to find and the housing statistics are something I can show clients without having to do a lot of prep work. Keep up the good work and continually improving the website.”
Not only are practicing real estate professionals giving the new website high marks, but their staff members are also experiencing the benefit of a cutting-edge MREDLLC.com.
“I think it is just great,” said Linda Kous, Lead/Listing Coordinator for The G-Slow Team in Frankfort. “As an assistant there are many times I have questions and the agent is not handy so it is nice to have a resource that is so easy to read visually and ‘user friendly’. I read all the tips sent from MRED as they come but it is nice that now they are indexed so you can go back when you need them and review — the “How To” section especially! You guys are always making our work life easier. Thanks.”
About MRED
Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) is the real estate data aggregator and distributor providing the Chicagoland multiple listing service (MLS) to nearly 40,000 brokers, agents and appraisers and 8,000 offices. MRED serves Chicago and the surrounding “collar” counties and provides property information encompassing northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin and northwest Indiana. For more information, visit www.MREDLLC.com.
Are You a Socialist? No, Not THAT Kind
Posted by on September 12, 2012
MRED Enhances Social Marketing for Its Customers With Facebook App From Appla.bz
LISLE, IL–(Marketwire – Sep 12, 2012) – Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) (www.MREDLLC.com), the Chicagoland multiple listing service (MLS), has announced a new partnership that offers its real estate professionals a solution to connect with potential clients through Facebook.
MRED is now offering its customers the MRED Social IDX, a Facebook social listing search app from Appla.bz, which allows real estate agents to add a property search directly to their Facebook business page. Potential home buyers will be able to search accurate and up-to-date listings through a visually intuitive platform. This new application also includes a feature that allows real estate professionals and their clients to have conversations about specific listings in real time via their computer, smartphone or tablet. A “Friend Feedback” feature allows people to share listings with their friends, family, and social circles.
“We are privileged to be working with one of the most well respected MLSs in the country,” says Joshua Lopour, CEO of AppLa.bz. “We are passionate about not only making the home search experience easier and more accessible but making it an event that can be shared with friends and family. We applaud MRED in taking that first step and allowing their agents to be on the cutting edge.”
“Social media is here to stay, and with nearly a billion users Facebook is obviously the place to be,” said MRED CEO Russ Bergeron. “As part of our continued search for products and services that are ahead of the curve, the MRED Social IDX Facebook app certainly fits. I predict this just might become the breakthrough product of the year. I know our customers are going to love it.”
To get to the MRED Facebook App Page, real estate professionals may visit facebook.com/MREDLLC, click on the handbag icon, and add this product to their Facebook brand page. For only $5.99 per month, any MRED customer will now have the ability to offer search-and-display of the full active inventory of homes for sale throughout their Facebook network. Anybody signing up before October 1st is getting the first month for free. With the power of social marketing they will then be able to take advantage of the exponential power of shared networks with their clients, friends and family.
About MRED
Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) is the real estate data aggregator and distributor providing the Chicagoland multiple listing service (MLS) to nearly 40,000 brokers, agents and appraisers and 8,000 offices. MRED serves Chicago and the surrounding “collar” counties and provides property information encompassing northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin and northwest Indiana. For more information, visit www.mredllc.com.
About AppLa.bz
Founded in 2012, AppLa.bz (pronounced App Labs) allows anyone to add quality apps to social media pages in 30 seconds. Currently AppLa.bz is servicing over 600 Brands in retail, music, fashion and most recently real estate. Our offices are conveniently located both in Orange County, California and Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information visit www.AppLa.bz.
MRED Blog 