(TMK) Formats – The difference between formats

(TMK) Formats – The difference between formats

When running a search you have a few choices as to what your search results will look like. The “main” formats will be one of the four TMK formats.   This guide is designed to give you a quick reference of the different TMK formats available. Please select the format which best matches your current need or if you just like the particular layout.     Example: TMK (TMK one liner as we call it in the office) This is the best choice when viewing broad searches, faster result display time, easy to scroll though.   Example: TMK Quick Also easy … Continued
Customer Format (missing sales, owner information)

Customer Format (missing sales, owner information)

The most common reason owner and sales information is “missing” would be the Customer Format option. This is especially common with shared accounts as one user may have accidentally saved Customer Format as default.     While looking at search results or data sheets, the Customer Format option is located within each action button:     Customer Format can also be set before the search is executed. This is also where it can be saved as a default. Click the Format drop down Click to the Options tab Check/Uncheck Customer Format     Click to see our guide on saving … Continued
Settings – Dashboard refresh

Settings – Dashboard refresh

The latest listing activity feed located on the Dashboard is set by default to automatically refresh every 5 minutes or every time you leave the dashboard and click back to the dashboard. Located within Settings you may choose between Manual or Automatic listing activity refreshes.   Click Settings located at the bottom of the Main Menu Locate and click on Dashboard Refresh Make your selection. Click Save changes   When choosing “Only refresh the dashboard on demand” you will need to click the Refresh button. The data will not refresh on its own.   
Building Details: LLLA

Building Details: LLLA

Floor Area – LLLA: Lower Level Living Area We were told that the LLLA refers to living areas below the front door. This does not always seem to be the case though. For clarification please call your subject area’s official assessor.  
(TMK) Property Basics section of TMK formats

(TMK) Property Basics section of TMK formats

Where does the data come from?   Example of the Property Basics (Top portion) of a TMK Full. Situs address – The DPP assigns the parcel this address and sends it to the tax office. We gather the data from the tax office. (any discrepancies seen on the county site need to be corrected with the DPP) Owner, Tax Payer, Tax Bill address – When a parcel is initially created this information comes from the Conveyance Tax Certificate (P64). If any changes are made, such as a name change, the updated Conveyance Tax Certificate is given to us annually. Changes … Continued
(TMK) Sales section of TMK formats

(TMK) Sales section of TMK formats

Sale information is obtained from the Bureau of Conveyances and is updated almost daily.   Example Sales section    Date of Recording – This is the date searched when using Sale Date search fields within REsearch.  Sale Instrument – How the property was conveyed. Ownership transfer type.  Sale Grantee  Sale Price  Document number DOC – LCD – Land Court Document TCT – B/P – Book / Page     Which search fields to use? Sale Date Sale Date – searches entire sales history regardless of dollar amount Last Sale Date – search sale history by the date of the last … Continued
Format – Loans | Loan Type / Loan Lender Type

Format – Loans | Loan Type / Loan Lender Type

    Loan format example:   Loan Type Assumption Assuming an existing mortgage Agreement of Sale A contract for deed is used as owner financing. The Seller retains title to the property until Buyer satisfies agreed amount Balloon Are short term mortgages. Most balloons have a term of 5 to 7 years. Building/Construction Loan Covers the cost of land development and building construction New Conventional Interest rate does not change during the entire term of the loan Conventional Blanket A loan on two or more pieces of property Credit Line or Equity Line A loan taken out on the equity … Continued
How do I set how PDFs are handled in my browser

How do I set how PDFs are handled in my browser

A few of the documents you can obtain through REsearch will be in a PDF file format. The method of displaying these files are largely up to your browser. Your browser may be set to show the contents within it’s own window or it may be set to download the file into your downloads folder and open it with a PDF viewer program. Here are guides on choosing how a PDF will be displayed; Chrome – Choosing how a PDF is handled Firefox – Choosing how a PDF is handled Internet Explorer – Choosing how a PDF is handled Safari – Choosing … Continued
Chrome – choosing how a PDF is handled

Chrome – choosing how a PDF is handled

Other browser PDF help click here   How to tell Chrome which method you would like to view an opened PDF file. In order to choose another program besides Chrome to view a PDF, a PDF viewer program must be installed on your system. Ex: Adobe Reader Foxit Reader (Microsoft) PDF Reader (Mac)   1. type in chrome://plugins in the URL bar of Google Chrome 2. Disable Chrome PDF Viewer Done. Now PDF files will be downloaded to your download folder. Depending on your computer’s default PDF program the file may or may not automatically open. You can always double … Continued
Firefox – choosing how a PDF is handled

Firefox – choosing how a PDF is handled

Other browser PDF help click here   How to tell Firefox which method you would like to view an opened PDF file. In order to choose another program besides Chrome to view a PDF, a PDF viewer program must be installed on your system. Ex: Adobe Reader Foxit Reader (Microsoft) PDF Reader (Mac) Locate in the upper right corner, click the Firefox menu button Within the Menu click Options Within Options click Applications In the Content Type column, locate Portable Document Format (PDF) – Using the drop down make your selection. Done.          
Internet Explorer – choosing how a PDF is handled

Internet Explorer – choosing how a PDF is handled

Other browser PDF help click here   *Adobe Reader is required to be installed in order to view a PDF within Internet Explorer’s browser window. How to tell Internet Explorer which method you would like to view a selected PDF file. Click the Gear icon located in the upper right Select Manage add-ons from the drop down menu     Enable should display the PDF within Internet Explorer. Disable should trigger a download and open the PDF within Adobe Reader.  
Safari – choosing how a PDF is handled

Safari – choosing how a PDF is handled

Other browser PDF help click here Copied and pasted from helpx.adobe.com https://helpx.adobe.com/acrobat/using/display-pdf-in-browser.html   Apple Safari To view PDFs with Safari, you can do one of the following: Set Safari preferences to use Adobe Reader plug-in Disable AdobePDFViewer plug-in to use the default Safari PDF viewer Set Safari preferences to use Adobe Reader plug-in to view PDFs Launch Safari, and then choose Preferences.   In the Preferences window, choose Security and then click the Website Settings button for  Internet plug-ins.   Now select Adobe Reader in the list of plug-ins. Under the option When visiting other Websites, in the drop-down list, choose … Continued
(TMK) Building Details section of TMK formats

(TMK) Building Details section of TMK formats

  All Building sections are provided by the various counties’ property tax offices. This includes Building Details, Building Sketch, Residential Building Additions, Other Building Improvements and Building Permits From Real Property Tax. Floor Areas are calculated per the Residential Additions.   Building permits displayed on TMK Full formats also come from the tax office. These permits are sent to the tax office by the DPP. As far as we can tell, only permits that will effect property tax are sent to the tax office. For a full report of permits please use the Permit Format.
Sale Grantee search (Owner/ETAL)

Sale Grantee search (Owner/ETAL)

“Missing” owners in the owner section of the TMK data will likely be found in the Sale Grantee section.      Here are the steps to run a Sale Grantee search. The Sale Grantee search field is located in the main field page under the People section. Simply expand the People section and use the Sale Grantee field.   Enter your search as Last, First name. You may also locate the Sale Grantee search field with Add Fields   ETAL  =  Et al. =  Short for et alia, a Latin phrase meaning “and the others”. Example:        
Locating an Agent’s license number, HIS ID, Office ID, Office License number

Locating an Agent’s license number, HIS ID, Office ID, Office License number

Within REsearch agents are attached to a few identifying numbers. HIS ID License number Office ID Office License number When an agent’s account is created our membership department will usually assign their username to correspond with their current license number. The digits within the username is also known as their HIS ID. License numbers can change. HIS ID’s cannot change. HIS ID’s should be thought of as different from a license number. HIS ID’s are a way for the system to track an agents history within the MLS system. You can find all of your history using your HIS ID from … Continued
(TMK) Add fields – Locating and using specific search fields

(TMK) Add fields – Locating and using specific search fields

If you are unable to locate the search field you are looking for in the Main section of the search page you will find it within Add Fields. The Add Fields feature includes all search fields within the system. Click on the +Add Fields button The Search Criteria window will open 2. Locate the search field you would like to use. An entry box will open to the right. 3. Enter the search parameter and click the Blue check mark. You may locate and use other search fields. Click Close when finished.   The parameter is now apart of the … Continued
(MLS) Market Statistics – info bubbles

(MLS) Market Statistics – info bubbles

12 Month Summary Sales Volume: The sum of the sales price for all closing during the past 12 months from the reporting period end date. (single side only) Sales: The total number of listings sold during the past 12 months from the reporting period end date Median Price: The median sales price calculation shows the sales price that is exactly in the middle of all sales for the past 12 months from the reporting period end date. The median of a set of data is the middlemost number in the set. The median is also the number that is halfway … Continued
(mls) Roster search – viewing agent / office contact information

(mls) Roster search – viewing agent / office contact information

Select Search Roster from the main menu   Enter your search parameters *Agent Realtor Association – search by board membership *Agent Type – search by type: PB, DR, B, R, RS, etc.  By default the formats Agent and Office are selected. Click Search Now to view the search results.      
Online Display

Online Display

The Online Display field is a public field. This field must abide by the same rules in place for the Public Remarks section. Examples: MLS One liner and MLS 1 Photo – both formats show the Display in both agent and customer format. When using MLS one liner you may choose to manually hide fields. In MLS 1 Photo there is no option.     In order to make changes/corrections to the Online Display please follow the guide below: Click Update Listing Locate Online Display. You will find the Online Display field towards the bottom of the form between the Driving … Continued
(MLS) Virtual Tour Rules and Regulations – acceptable virtual tour links

(MLS) Virtual Tour Rules and Regulations – acceptable virtual tour links

Videos and virtual tours attached to listings are governed by the same rules that apply to photos, and those rules cover both the content of the video as well as the location where the video is displayed online. Prohibited elements of video content and presentations include: Agent, broker, or other branding. Videos and virtual tours must be “unbranded.” Contact or other information identifying the listing broker, agent, or any other entity. Advertising of any kind, including links to additional content or external sites not related to the specific property. Comment or contact forms, ratings (such as ‘like,’ ‘favorite,’ or ‘vote’ … Continued
MLS – Locating Expires / Expired date on a listing

MLS – Locating Expires / Expired date on a listing

The Expires Date of a listing is not displayed on any format by default. If the listing is currently in Expired status you may simply click this history icon to find out when the status changed date was: Ex:     ==================================================================     If you would like to view the Expires date on your search results, please use the custom format: Expires Date. This is an example of search results showing the Expires Date.   ==========================================================   Running searches for expired listings   Click here for a more detailed guide regarding custom formats
Absorption Rates

Absorption Rates

  ABSORPTION RATE – Is the rate at which homes are selling in a specific area.   You may find these articles on this market metric helpful: (warning, these link outside of the Knowledge Base)   Absorption Rate Key to Successful Pricing (REALTORMag) What Is Absorption Rate in Real Estate and Why Is It Important? (Huffington Post) Months Supply of Inventory and Absorption Rates in Real Estate (Drew Kondo) Real Estate by Numbers: What Every Home Buyer & Seller Should Know (PDF by Jim Papillo)   Using REsearch to locate the numbers needed- The fasted way to calculate the # of sold and currently … Continued
(TMK) Training Videos – Vimeo Links

(TMK) Training Videos – Vimeo Links

In case you are unable to view the training on Youtube, hopefully Vimeo works better.   TMK Essentials (Part 1) The Basics 18 Minutes     TMK Essentials (Part 2) Searching 19 minutes       TMK Essentials (Part 3) Search results 23 Minutes       TMK Essentials (Part 4) Create a CMA 8 Minutes       TMK Essentials (Part 5) Downloading Spreadsheets / Custom Formats 13 Minutes       TMK Essentials (Part 6) Mapping 19 Minutes
Downloaded Excel spreadsheets do not open as expected

Downloaded Excel spreadsheets do not open as expected

We have recently been receiving reports that spreadsheets downloaded from REsearch are not opening properly on some user’s computers. If you are experiencing an issue similar to this screen shot, please follow the directions below: Please follow this guide to disable the Protected View which seems to be the culprit. Please click here to view a demonstration video   1. File 2. Options 3. Trust Center 4. Trust Center Options 5. Protected View 6. Uncheck “Enable Protected View for files originating from the Internet” Done. please try opening the file again.       If the spreadsheet does open as … Continued
(MLS/TMK) Searching for out of state or out of county owners

(MLS/TMK) Searching for out of state or out of county owners

In order to search for our of state or out of county owners, please use the Add Fields tool.     Ex: Searching for out of state owners Please use the Taxbill State search field: not HI Ex: Searching for out of county owners Please use the Taxbill County search field: not USA     Please note, these searches are not perfect per their reliance on the taxbill address. These searches will pull all matches that are missing either HI or USA. These will likely also include matches such as condo masters where there is no real taxbill address and … Continued
Excel – Downloaded street numbers are displaying as dates

Excel – Downloaded street numbers are displaying as dates

*We are currently working on a fix on our back end that will hopefully resolve this issue.   This is an issue with Excel, not our data. Excel is automatically converting certain street numbers and displaying them as dates. Ex: 11-2598 = NOV-98 This is also an issue when manually entering in the data directly into Excel. For data that has been directly downloaded from REsearch, here is a formula you may use to convert the cell back to the numbers you are looking for: =text(a1,”mm-yyyy”) Ex:   It is a little bit of a process, hopefully our proposed fix … Continued
Rentals – Overview

Rentals – Overview

*2016 – Rentals are no longer located within REsearch.   Rental listings entry and search are located on the Alohaliving.com website: Alohaliving.com/rentals   You may also click Search Rentals on the Alohaliving.com homepage. If you subscribe to an MLS account with us you already have a Rentals account. Your username will be the same as your REsearch login.     Login: Click the Login button located in the upper right Select “Login to an existing account”     If this is your first time logging in, please click the “Forgot your password?” link. An email will be sent to the … Continued
MLS Number Series Change

MLS Number Series Change

September 2016 –   As you may know, MLS numbers are assigned sequentially as they are entered into the system. In REsearch, listings are currently in the 299XXX-range. In order to minimize confusion among the three MLS systems in Hawaii, the HIS Board of Directors has decided to advance MLS number assignments in REsearch to restart at 600000 once we have reached MLS number 299999. As the Realtors Association of Maui is currently assigning MLS numbers in the 300000 range, this “jump forward” will avoid having duplicate MLS numbers in use, and thus prevent confusion among our respective members, clients, … Continued
(MLS) Running searches for expired listings

(MLS) Running searches for expired listings

There are two methods I prefer to use when looking for expired listings. Method 1: Get Listing Update From the main menu click on Get Listing Update Set your date range Uncheck all boxes in section B. except for Expired Enter your desired area or other search parameters to narrow down the results       Method 2: Search for Listings Scroll to the MLS Detail category, Prices and Dates section Locate the Min. Expires Date search field. Enter in the desired date. Enter in any other search parameters to help narrow down the request. You will likely want to use … Continued
(MLS/TMK) Searching by owner’s Zip code

(MLS/TMK) Searching by owner’s Zip code

First we must clarify the request. Searching by the properties’ Zip code vs. Searching by the owner’s taxbill Zip code   Searching by the properties’ Zip code: On the search page scroll into the TMK Detail section. Keep scrolling until you see the Address section Here you will find the Zip code search field Enter the target zip code Enter any other parameters or Search Now       Searching by the owner’s taxbill Zip code: Click Add Fields Scroll through the alphabetical list, locate Taxbill Zip Code Enter your target zip code Click Close Enter any other parameters or … Continued
(MLS) Settings – “Use Mls One Liner with No Wrap”

(MLS) Settings – “Use Mls One Liner with No Wrap”

REsearch now includes a setting that will remove the word wrap feature when viewing the MLS one liner format. What is Word Wrap? Here is an example, notice the display column and agent information. Depending on your computer’s screen size, REsearch will dynamically “stack” lines in order to fit all the information on the screen. This is why the Display and Agent information formats into several lines. This is the same listing with Word Wrap turned off. It’s a little difficult to convey in just a screenshot but notice the scroll bar at the bottom. The text in the Display … Continued
(MLS) Agent Prospect Notification Schedule TOO MANY EMAILS!

(MLS) Agent Prospect Notification Schedule TOO MANY EMAILS!

If you feel you are now receiving too many emails from the REsearch’s prospecting tool, there are a couple of things we can look at.     If the matches for a particular prospect are at a high volume, you may want to consider narrowing down that prospect’s search. Ex: There are a couple of agents within REsearch who have prospects that are being sent every Residential listing that is released, regardless of island, price, etc. This was likely created in error but the system does not know that and is sending an email to both that prospect and the … Continued
(MLS) Prospect Notification Schedule – removing/adding “‘Also send me copies of the emails my prospect receives”

(MLS) Prospect Notification Schedule – removing/adding “‘Also send me copies of the emails my prospect receives”

Within any specific prospect’s notification schedule includes the feature to also receive exactly what your prospect receives. This copy will be addressed to the prospect and be in customer format. If you have your notifications set to send yourself an Agent Copy, you do not likely need to receive a prospect’s copy.   1. Click into Contacts 2. Select the Contact/Prospect’s name you would like to work on 3. Click to the Prospect tab 4. Click Notification Options   5. The Notification Options window will display Make your selection and save changes Done       Please click here for … Continued
(MLS) Welcome New Agent – HIS contact information

(MLS) Welcome New Agent – HIS contact information

Please click to the next guide: (MLS) Welcome New Agent – Initial login Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii Information Service (HIS) and REsearch, your new MLS system! Important websites: Hawaiiinformation.com – This is where you will access REsearch. Alohaliving.com – This is our public facing site where everyone (your clients) can view Active and Contingent listings. Phone information for HIS: Toll Free: 1-800-628-3121 (Neighbor islands only) Direct: 599-4224 (Oahu) Extension List: 1 – Tech/Cust Support 2 – Membership 3 – Accounting 4 – Sales 5 – IDX, RETS, VOW 6 – TMK data discrepancies Toll Free Fax: 1-888-628-3121 (Neighbor islands only) Direct … Continued
(MLS) Welcome New Agent – Initial login

(MLS) Welcome New Agent – Initial login

First things first. How to login to REsearch: Open the web browser of your choice (Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome, Firefox) Head over to hawaiiinformation.com Click Member Login Enter the username and password included in your welcome email Click Login to REsearch 6   Accessing the Knowledge Base:     My Profile (name, nickname, phone, email, etc.): Click your name at the top of the main menu Within the slide down menu, click My Profile Review/Update your information Save *Within My Profile you will find the setting for Preferred Phone. This is the phone number that will display on your listings. … Continued
(mls) Syndication, Where are listings being sent?

(mls) Syndication, Where are listings being sent?

Active and Contingent listings are fed to a number of services. Updates are made available in the feed every 15 minutes. The time frame of when listings are updated on these services rely on each service’s update schedule. We are not made aware of other service’s update schedule. Alohaliving – you will see updated information such as new photos or remarks within 15 minutes Listings that go Under Contract or Sold status are removed from the feed. Withdrawn and Expired listings are also removed.   Listings are sent to: Alohaliving.com All subscribed RETS/IDX feeds, Ex. agent websites (we do not … Continued
(mls) Syndication Dashboard

(mls) Syndication Dashboard

Primary principal brokers may select where their office listings are distributed beyond the MLS and IDXes. (office support accounts my also access the setting)      
(mls) Why isn’t my listing showing up on public sites? (zillow, trulia, realtor.com, etc.)

(mls) Why isn’t my listing showing up on public sites? (zillow, trulia, realtor.com, etc.)

When you are unable to locate your listing on sites such as Zillow.com or Realtor.com, you will first want to double check your listing.     Seller Authorizes Internet Display needs to be selected as “I Agree” in order for the system to included the listing in the feed. Your browser does not support the video tag.     You may also want to double check with your PB that the office has not opted out of a particular syndication option. PB and support accounts only     We have experienced a few issues with websites having trouble with our … Continued
(mls) Price Per Square Foot – PPSF

(mls) Price Per Square Foot – PPSF

Price per square foot is calculated (in very simplified terms) as Price divided by Square Footage. Important notes: Hawaii Information Service cannot confirm each listing’s interior, land, or leasable square footage. REsearch does attempt to auto fill the data when possible but the fields are editable on the listing form. Agents have the opportunity and ability to make changes to these fields. We recommend contacting listing agents to verify if areas such as balconies, patios, etc. are being included. Price per square foot calculations may vary for listings that include more than one property type (i.e. residential and land). Non-Sold Listings … Continued
Kauai Workshop

Kauai Workshop

Aloha KBR Members!   Zipforms MLS Connect: Locating and using the MLS Connect feature within Zipforms –   Create a new or edit an existing transaction Click on the Property Tab Click on the zipFomr/MLS-Connect button Enter the subject MLS number Click Find – Verify the information Click Import         Cloud CMA – Link to our Cloud CMA guide Link to our Cloud CMA – Buyer Tour guide (this is what was covered in the presentation)       Using a blank listing form to assist with searching –    Listing Menu ➧ Listing Form ➧ PDF – … Continued
(mls/tmk) Searching multiple “Find” fields – subdivisions, projects, street name, etc.

(mls/tmk) Searching multiple “Find” fields – subdivisions, projects, street name, etc.

When using a Find field (indicated by the magnifying glass icon) the system asks you to place check marks next to exact search entries. In order to search using multiple requests within a Find Field please use OR between each keyword.   Ex: kai OR aloha Clicking the magnifying glass will pull up all properties that begin with “kai” or “aloha”    
Cloud CMA – Creating a Buyer Tour

Cloud CMA – Creating a Buyer Tour

Option 1 You may directly open Cloud CMA and click to the Buyer Tour tab.       Option 2 You may alternatively run a search with REsearch and directly export your search result MLS numbers into Cloud CMA. While viewing your search results, click the More button then select your choice of Buyer Tour Page, Checked or Not.     The Cloud CMA website will open up. Your MLS numbers will have auto filled into the MLS Numbers box (if you have exported from REsearch). Enter your client’s name in the Client box, or enter in a name for … Continued
(mls) Copy and Pasting data from REsearch to other applications

(mls) Copy and Pasting data from REsearch to other applications

How to use the Copy action button.   View the data you would like to copy. Ex: Search results, MLS Mid report, Market Statistics, etc.   Locate the Copy button toward the bottom center of your report   Choose your preference of Page/Checked/Not Checked   A new tab will open within your browser.   Within this “clean” tab you will Select All then Copy the data to your computer’s clip board.   Open your application that you would like to paste the data into. Ex: Outlook, Word, Email such as gmail, aol, hotmail, etc.   Place your cursor where you … Continued
AOL email addresses – Email issues within REsearch. Emails are seemingly not being sent

AOL email addresses – Email issues within REsearch. Emails are seemingly not being sent

Your messages are being sent to your recipients. You are simply not receiving the copy.     Unfortunately if you are using an @aol.com email address, you will not receive your copy of messages sent from within REsearch. This is a security issue on AOL’s end. Background: When sending emails from within REsearch the system places your email address in a “reply to” field. This way, even if the message is sent from our server your recipient can simply click reply and the message will be sent to your email address instead of back to REsearch. AOL does not like … Continued
(MLS/TMK) Using the PDF function

(MLS/TMK) Using the PDF function

While viewing the data you would like to PDF, look for the PDF button located toward the bottom of the page. My example is going to PDF a TMK Full report generated by clicking on a taxkey. You may PDF reports, search results, basket, etc.     Make your selection of Page, Checked, Not Checked or Customer Format         Depending on your browser, these next steps will vary: Your browser will either open the document within the browser itself or download the file to your local computer.   Chrome might open the PDF document within Chrome itself. … Continued