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Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) Has Champaign Taste

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Chicagoland MLS Giant Welcomes Champaign County
as its Newest Association Partner

LISLE, ILLINOIS (October 4, 2016) – Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED), Chicagoland’s multiple listing service (MLS), announced that the Champaign County Association of Realtors® (CCAR) has become the thirteenth Realtor® association to contract for MLS services from MRED.

CCAR is the “Voice for Real Estate” in the Champaign County area of Illinois.  Over 400 CCAR members are engaged in all facets of the real estate industry. Chartered in 1917, CCAR is the leading resource for Realtor® members and an advocate for homeownership and private property rights. CCAR strives to be recognized as a community and education focused resource comprised of ethical real estate professionals.

“I am thrilled that all of the discussions and negotiations have resulted in the partnership of these two great organizations,” said Stefanie Pratt, Immediate Past President of CCAR.  “It is gratifying when hard work results in something so positive for our members.”

“CCAR staff is already working hard at the difficult job of transitioning to a new MLS system,” said Linda Green, CCAR Association Executive.  “We look forward to all of the new functionality and opportunities that are coming to our members when we go live with MRED early in 2017.”

“We are very excited to welcome CCAR as our newest Association partner,” said MRED President and Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Jensen.  “Our staff and leadership look forward to working closely with the CCAR Board and staff to have a smooth transition for CCAR’s members to our MLS system.  I personally want to thank CCAR’s Immediate Past President Stefanie Pratt, Association Executive Linda Green and their Board of Directors, for their forward-thinking vision and leadership.  I appreciate and understand that change is difficult and not always the easiest road taken.  I’m confident that this will prove to be a great decision for all involved.”

About MRED

Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) is the real estate data aggregator and distributor providing the Chicagoland multiple listing service (MLS) to more than 40,000 brokers and appraisers and nearly 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 for three years running according to the WAV Group MLS Technology Survey.  MRED is the 2013 Inman News Most Innovative MLS/Real Estate Trade Association, and for five consecutive years the MRED Help Desk has been identified as one of the best small business centers in the United States and Canada by BenchmarkPortal.  For more information please visit MREDLLC.com.

Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) Joins Select Group with Latest RESO Certification

Chicagoland MLS Giant is now Certified at the
Gold Level for RESO’s Web API

RJLISLE, ILLINOIS (September 28, 2016) – Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED), Chicagoland’s multiple listing service (MLS), announced that it has received the Gold Certification for the Real Estate Standard Organization (RESO) Web API (Application Programming Interface).

In computer programming, an application programming interface (API) is a set of subroutine definitions, protocols, and tools for building software and applications. This API will be used as the go-between for the apps and websites that use MRED data.  By implementing the API, MRED’s subscribers apps and websites will be returning “real-time” listing information. Gold Level Certification enables MRED to provide more features and functions that allow technology partners to deliver greater innovation in applications utilized by MRED’s subscribers versus Core Level Certification.

“MRED’s penchant for innovation continues with its implementation of the latest real estate industry standards,” said Jeremy Crawford, Executive Director of RESO. “MRED helps to raise the bar for the entire MLS industry with their Gold Level Certification for the RESO Web API Server.  Their proven and steadfast commitment to RESO standards demonstrates their leadership in helping our industry embrace more innovation to make it remarkably more efficient. The example MRED sets with their forward-thinking is something we hope every MLS emulates.”

“MRED has made a huge commitment to RESO and fully support the great work it is doing,” said MRED President and Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Jensen.  “It was very important to us to attain the Gold Certification.  We will continue our work, in conjunction with RESO and others across the industry, to establish data standards consistent with the best interests of our brokerages and 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 more than 40,000 brokers and appraisers and nearly 7,200 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 for three years running according to the WAV Group MLS Technology Survey.  MRED is the 2013 Inman News Most Innovative MLS/Real Estate Trade Association, and for five consecutive years the MRED Help Desk has been identified as one of the best small business centers in the United States and Canada by BenchmarkPortal.  For more information please visit MREDLLC.com.

About RESO

The mission of the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) is to create and promote the adoption of standards that drive efficiency throughout the real estate industry. RESO incorporated was founded in November 2011, as an independent, not-for-profit trade organization that was previously a section of the National Association of REALTORS®. RESO has more than 500 active members, including NAR, multiple-listing services, real estate associations, brokerages and industry technology providers. For more information, visit http://www.reso.org.

MRED Chicagoland Report for August, 2016

Closed sales began to cool for much of the country last month, and conventional wisdom indicates that year-over-year declines are going to be present for the remainder of the year, given the low inventory situation in most markets. Demand is certainly present and has created competitive situations that have kept prices up. Rental prices are also up, which may lure more toward homeownership.

New Listings in Chicagoland were down 0.6 percent for detached homes and up 3.2 percent for attached properties. Listings Under Contract were up 13.7 percent for detached homes and 11.1 percent for attached properties.

The Median Sales Price was up 7.7 percent to $237,000 for detached homes and 1.1 percent to $188,000 for attached properties. Months Supply of Inventory decreased 21.4 percent for detached units and 23.4 percent for attached units.

As inventory continues to drop, the contradictions of today’s market are evident. Sellers should feel confident enough to list homes at fair prices and receive meaningful offers in a healthy residential real estate and overall economic environment. However, there may be lingering worry over the availability of move-in ready homes to replace what was sold. On a brighter note, building permits are trending upward. That news should be weighed against the fact that the highest level of activity is in multifamily rentals.

MRED real estate professionals can log into MREDLLC.com and click on the Statistics tab to get the latest Lender Mediated and Monthly Market Indicators Reports.  You can also click on the Local Market Updates choice under the Statistics tab and use our Interactive Market Analytics map for the latest local market metrics.

Any questions?  Please contact MRED’s Help Desk at 630-955-2755 or help.desk@MREDLLC.com.

Illinois REALTORS®, MRED Extend Member Benefit Subscription to Inman Select

Illinois REALTORS® and MRED are pleased to announce that they have signed an extension to continue to provide real estate professionals throughout Illinois with Inman Select.

MRED_Illinois REALTORSThat means that the more than 44,000 Illinois REALTORS®, many of whom are also customers of MRED, will continue to get access to the daily news service that provides extensive coverage of real estate news and trends. It’s an important member benefit that was provided by the organizations beginning in 2015.

If you haven’t signed up to claim your membership, it’s easy to do. Just go here.

“The real estate industry is complex, and providing information to our members to help our members navigate the business is an essential part of Illinois REALTORS®’ mission,” said Illinois REALTORS® President Mike Drews. ‘We’re pleased to be able to partner with MRED to provide this service.”

“Anytime we can help our customers, and do it with our great friends and partners at Illinois REALTORS®, we’re in,” said MRED President/Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Jensen.  “Inman Select does a great job of informing real estate professionals, and knowledgeable brokers are successful brokers.”

Signing up for Inman Select gives access to the service’s constantly updated news feed, an email newsletter and information on upcoming events.

Blog Post via Illinois REALTORS®

Broker Public Portal (BPP) Initiative Takes Off As MRED Launches Homesnap in Chicago

Chicagoland MLS is first in country to roll out new home search experience backed by real estate industry.

LISLE, IL, JULY20, 2016 — Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED), the Chicagoland multiple listing service (MLS) representing over 40,000 real estate professionals in the Chicago area, has become the first MLS to launch the Broker Public Portal (BPP). BPP will be going to market with the Homesnap brand and with the full suite of consumer and agent-facing features offered by Homesnap. MRED customers will receive access to mobile real estate app Homesnap Pro and other benefits as a result of MRED s participation in and support of the BPP initiative. This is the first time that brokers in Chicago have supported an MLS-sponsored consumer home search experience in their market.

The BPP initiative is a collaboration between real estate brokerages, real estate franchisors and Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) across the United States to create a national home search experience for consumers that is more straightforward and clear than those offered by advertising-driven media companies. In May, the BPP board announced it had partnered with Homesnap, creator of highly-rated real estate apps for consumers and agents, to launch BPP under the Homesnap brand. This will include an iPhone app, Android app, and mobile and desktop websites. The experience will be free from ads and paid agent placement. Instead, consumers can easily collaborate with their own agent, or connect instantly to the listing agent, ensuring information and answers from a pro who truly knows the home, neighborhood and local market conditions.

”MRED is thrilled to be the first to implement BPP for its customers,” said Rebecca Jensen, President/Chief Executive Officer of MRED.  “It was critically important to our leadership that the Fair Display Guidelines be the guiding light of this project, and we are proud to support a grassroots effort that has backing from all corners of the real estate industry.  Homesnap has a great track record in other markets and we are very excited to bring it to the Midwest as part of the suite of services we provide to our real estate professionals.”

“We commend MRED’s early participation in and bold support of BPP,” said Guy Wolcott, co-founder and CEO of Homesnap. “This initiative is designed to help MRED create nationwide listing exposure and lead generation for their members without having to pay to advertise their listings online.  MRED customers will enjoy many direct benefits, including access to Homesnap Pro and a robust platform to collaborate with their clients and each other. We are thrilled to be working with MRED and expect they will set the precedent for other MLSs to follow suit.”

“MRED shares our vision of home search defined by simplicity, integrity and common sense,” said BPP Co‐Chair John Mosey, CEO of Twin Cities-based NorthstarMLS, which serves Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. “Consumers and agents in greater Chicago will now be able to work together more easily, with better information, than ever before.”

About MRED

Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) (http://www.mredllc.com) is the real estate data aggregator and distributor providing the Chicagoland MLS to more than 40,000 brokers and appraisers and nearly 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 for three years running according to the WAV Group MLS Technology Survey.  MRED is the 2013 Inman News (http://www.inman.com) Most Innovative MLS/Real Estate Trade Association, and for five consecutive years the MRED Help Desk has been identified as one of the best small business centers in the United States and Canada by BenchmarkPortal (http://www.benchmarkportal.com).  For more information please visit MREDLLC.com.

About BPP

The Broker Public Portal LLC is a collaborative venture between real estate brokerages and MLSs to create a national consumer home search experience defined by simplicity, integrity and common sense. The portal aims to provide consumers with direct access to the most comprehensive, timely, and complete property information while adhering to fair display guidelines. The BPP initiative is backed by 115 MLSs and real estate companies, including franchisors, independent brands, big brokers, and small brokers, operating in diverse markets across the country and collectively representing over 500,000 real estate agents. It will be funded by, and rolled out through, local MLSs.  More information can be found at http://brokerpublicportal.com.

About Homesnap

Homesnap is the highest-rated mobile real estate app, used by millions of consumers to explore homes and search listings. Homesnap Pro, the professional version of Homesnap, is the fastest-growing mobile app for agents – now available to every agent in 40 MLSs with over 300,000 members. Both are powered by a specialized homes database that combines MLS data, property tax records, census data, geographic boundaries and more.

 

Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) Welcomes Art Carter as its Newest Board Member

CRMLS Chief Executive Officer Joins Chicagoland MLS Giant as a Strategic Manager

LISLE, ILLINOIS (June 14, 2016) – Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED), Chicagoland’s multiple listing service (MLS), announced that Art Carter, Chief Executive Officer of the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), has been elected to MRED’s Board as its new Strategic Manager.

MRED created the position of Strategic Manager, to be filled by up to two individuals at the discretion of and election by MRED’s Board members.  Strategic Managers are invited onto the Board because of their expertise and participate on an advisory basis.  Their input is invited to enhance the ability of MRED’s leadership to make the best decisions and serve their real estate professionals in the most effective manner.

As CEO, Mr. Carter oversees the strategic direction of CRMLS.  With more than 80,000 agents, it is the MLS serving the largest number of real estate professionals in the country, encompassing thirty-six (36) REALTOR® associations across California.  Mr. Carter has been CEO of CRMLS since 2005, and under his leadership it has successfully merged with three other MLSs, obtaining over 40,000 new members.  Mr. Carter is one of Inman News’ 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders and one of the Top 20 Association/MLS Executives in the Swanepoel Power 200.  In 2012, he was inducted into the Dr. Almon R. (Bud) Smith, RCE, AE Leadership Society in recognition of this dedicated service and commitment to advancing the REALTOR® organization and the Association Management profession.  A Past President of the Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS), he is currently serving as the Chair of the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO).

“MRED is a powerhouse in the MLS industry,” said Mr. Carter.  “I look forward to joining the leadership of such a distinguished organization.  It is more important than ever for the industry to work together, and my new role will enable two of the largest MLSs in the country to collaborate at the highest level.“

“Art Carter is one of the most respected voices in our industry,” said MRED President and Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Jensen.  “I speak for MRED’s Board and myself when I state how fortunate we feel to have Art join our Board.  His broad industry experience and noteworthy accomplishments will be invaluable to MRED as we address the many challenges ahead.”

About MRED

Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) is the real estate data aggregator and distributor providing the Chicagoland multiple listing service (MLS) to more than 40,000 brokers and appraisers and nearly 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 for three years running according to the WAV Group MLS Technology Survey.  MRED is the 2013 Inman News Most Innovative MLS/Real Estate Trade Association, and for five consecutive years the MRED Help Desk has been identified as one of the best small business centers in the United States and Canada by BenchmarkPortal.  For more information please visit MREDLLC.com.