Thursday, December 22, 2016

CMLS Holiday Hours

Here are the GFC CMLS office's hours for the remainder of the year:
Thursday 12/22- 8:30am-5:00pm
Friday 12/23 through Monday 12/26- CLOSED
Tuesday 12/27- 8:30am-5:00pm
Wednesday 12/28- 8:30am-5:00pm
Thursday 12/29- 8:30am-5:00pm
Friday 12/30- 8:30am-5:00pm
Saturday 12/31 through Monday 1/2- CLOSED
Tuesday 1/3/17- regular hours (8:30am-6:00pm)
The GFC CMLS office wishes you and your family a safe and happy holiday season!

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Short Matrix Training Videos

Click here to watch our short training videos on how to use Matrix.
Many topics are covered in the 40 videos. Some of these include Auto Email, the Speedbar, Custom Exports, Hit Counters, the Client Portal, and there are many more.

Real Estate Trends

Here are some some Real Estate trends to look for in the next year.
2017 is just around the corner.

Click here to read the article.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Webinar Week at CMLS

Next week is Webinar Week for GFC CMLS training.  We will be conducting a different webinar each day of the week.  
If you want to become well-versed on many different features and capabilities of the Matrix and/or Listingbook systems, and prefer to learn from the comforts of your own home or office, you're in for a real treat. 
Monday 12/5- Listing Carts, 10-10:30am
Tuesday 12/6- Listingbook, 6-8pm
Wednesday 12/7- Matrix 3, 6-8pm
Thursday 12/8- Matrix I, 6-8pm
Friday 12/9- Intro to CMA, 10-10:30am
Each day, we will post the link that will get you into that day's webinar, both here and within Matrix.  
All are welcome.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

The CMLS office will be closing for the Thanksgiving holiday at 3pm tomorrow (Wednesday, November 23rd) and will reopen at 8:30am on Monday, November 28th.
We wish you and your family a very happy and safe holiday weekend. 

Friday, November 18, 2016

Statistics Webinar

Click here to join the STATISTICS Webinar on Monday, November 21st from 9:30-10am.  
This session will show you how to find, view, export and print statistical data such as List to Sale Price Ratio, Median Sale Price, Months of Inventory, etc.  
 
All are welcome.  
 
Enjoy!

Friday, November 11, 2016

Using External Links in Matrix

One of the most useful features you might not know about is the "External Links" widget on the Matrix home page. It is normally in the lower right, unless you have re-arranged the widgets on your home page.

From there, you can check the Class Schedule, get to the Supra website, use the Forms, configure Showingtime, navigate to our Support page, and much more.


Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Matrix 2 Webinar

CLICK HERE to join the Matrix 2 Webinar tonight, Wednesday, October 26th, from 6-8 PM.  
This session includes CMAs, Personalizing/Branding, Hot Sheets, Market Watch, and time saving features (search & display defaults.etc).
Enjoy.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Matrix I Webinar

CLICK HERE to join the Matrix I Webinar tonight, Wednesday, October 19th from 6-8 PM.  This session includes searching, printing, emailing and much more.  All are welcome.
If you are taking this webinar to satisfy your mandatory new member class requirement, you must be logged in for the entire 2 hours.  
Enjoy.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Wilton Information Session

You are invited to a join other Realtors at an informational session about WILTON being held Thursday, October 20th from 9:30 am-11:00 am at Rolling Hills Country Club.
Speakers/Topics include:  Lynn Vanderslice- Wilton's First Selectman, Barry Bogle-Director of Health/Wilton Health Dept, Mike Conklin-Director of Environmental Affairs, Robert Nerney-Driector of Planning and Land Use Mgt, Robert Roof-Chief Building Official/Wilton Building Dept, Kevin Smith-Superintendent of Wilton Public Schools and a Report from the Assessor's Office.
RSVP to homes@realtyseven.com by October 18th.  
Click Here to view Flyer with more details.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

New Listing Input Forms

Just a reminder about the new listing input forms we have implemented in Matrix recently:

For quite some time, we had been exploring ways to make the listing input process less cumbersome. We were aware that it is inefficient for listing agents to fill out the listing input forms from our website (whether online or by hand) and take them to the seller for review and modification, only to then have to go back and re-enter all of that information into Matrix. We created the new listing input system to eliminate this duplication and greatly reduce the time and effort it takes you to enter listings into Matrix.

At its very core, the new system allows Matrix to create the listing input form. Essentially, you start a listing in Matrix as you normally would (either through the copy/clone process or by starting from scratch with the TaxID), save your work at any point as an Incoming Listing, print out the “(New) Listing Input Form” (however complete or incomplete it is), bring it to your seller for review and modification, have them sign it and then return to your computer to enter any additional or changed information and save it as Active. This eliminates the duplication of reentering listing data from forms that previously had to be created outside of Matrix.

You may use this with all the different property types. Simply enter as little or as much of the listing as you want and save it as either Incoming or Active (depending on how much information you’ve entered)- either way, Matrix will generate a list number and display a confirmation that your input succeeded. You may print the report directly from the confirmation message, or make a note of the list number and use it to pull up the listing either through a search or in the Speed Bar. After Matrix displays the listing, click the Print button, go all the way down to the bottom of the list of available reports, select the “(New) Listing Input Form” and click Print to PDF.

Once the new report has printed, you can bring it to the seller. If it’s complete, they can simply initial each page and sign it at the end (this is a valid replacement for our previously fillable form); if it is incomplete, you can handwrite any changes or additions on the form, then have them initial each page and sign it at the end. You can then make any changes/additions in Matrix and save it as Active.

You also still have the option to print a completely blank form and bring it with you to the seller so you can fill it out together, then enter it in Matrix later.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Matrix I Webinar

CLICK HERE to join the Matrix I Webinar tonight, Wednesday, September 21st from 6-8 PM.  This session includes searching, printing, emailing and much more.  All are welcome.
If you are taking this webinar to satisfy your mandatory new member class requirement, you must be logged in for the entire 2 hours.  
Enjoy.

Monday, September 12, 2016

External Links

A quick way of getting to items you may need while in Matrix is to use the External Links.
If you are  logged in to Matrix, go to the Home tab and look towards the bottom for the "External Links" widget.

From there you can look at the Tour and Class schedules, read our News Archive and the Rules and Regulations, configure Showingtime settings, and much more.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

The GFC CMLS is now on Facebook

Check out our Facebook page and click the "Like" button while you're there
https://www.facebook.com/Greater-Fairfield-County-CMLS-1362345563795407/

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

CMLS Office Closing at 5pm

The CMLS office will be closing at 5pm tonight (Wednesday, August, 10).

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Hands on classes in Norwalk

We still have a few openings for the Matrix I and Orientation classes being held here at the CMLS office in Norwalk on Wednesday, August 10th.  There is a Matrix I session from 9:30-11:30am and Orientation from 12-1pm.
If you are a new GFC CMLS member and have yet to meet your class requirements, this is a golden opportunity.  

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

CMLS on YouTube

In our continuing effort to enhance our training and learning materials, we have created our own YouTube channel to which we have begun publishing short, topic-specific videos.  Just go to www.youtube.com and type GFC CMLS in the search bar to get to our channel.
Up to this point, all the uploads are how-to videos for Matrix functionality.  Going forward, we will be adding to the playlist regularly.
If there are specific topics you would like to see published (and not just Matrix-based either) please let us know.  We would love to make videos to help clear up any issues that may be causing confusion or frustration. 

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Matrix II Webinar

Click here  to join the Matrix II Webinar tonight, Wednesday, July 20th, from 6-8 PM.  This session includes CMAs, Personalizing/Branding, Hot Sheets, Market Watch, and time saving features (search & display defaults.etc).
Enjoy.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Updating Taxes in Matrix

If you're trying to use the new "Update Tax Data" link in Listing Input, but it blanks out all the fields except the two fields with the property ID, then that ID is incorrect. It's most likely that it has been changed.

You can run a Tax Search in Matrix for the property to find the correct property/tax ID. Then if you go back and try to update your listings taxes, it should work if you replace the incorrect property ID in both fields, and then click the "Click Here to Update Tax Data in the Yellow Boxes Above" link.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Construction outside our building

Just a heads up for anyone planning to come to the CMLS office for a class, to pay a bill, pick up a keybox, etc.
They are replacing the ramp that goes from Route 7 up to our building (101).  It will be closed until early September.  The best way to get to our building for the next couple of months is to use the ramp between buildings 201 and 301 and then drive around building 201 to get to our parking lot.
Also, they have blocked off some parking spaces with equipment and materials, so parking is even more tricky than usual.  If you are coming to our office, there is a chance you may not be able to park on the upper level.  You may need to go down to one of the lower parking levels in order to find a space.
We apologize for the inconvenience.  Sadly, it is beyond our control.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Hands-on Listingbook Training

Listingbook will be holding hands-on Advanced training sessions on June 28th at the GFC CMLS office in Norwalk.
 
Click here to register for the 9:30 session
 
Click here to register for the 11:30 session
 
Listingbook AI — the second generation of America’s most popular lead nurturing and client collaboration platform —  live in your market.
 
Listingbook AI includes new business-boosting features like a robust, branded mobile app, advanced social sharing, full site branding with My Listingbook, and so much more, while continuing to offer you and your clients everything that you’ve loved about the original Listingbook platform.

Thursday, June 16, 2016

IDX information

Internet Data Xchange or IDX is a system where brokers give each other permission to display their listings on each other’s web sites. 

Click here to get more info on IDX and the Matrix IDX
 

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Fairfield Tax ID link issue

We have just become aware of an issue with the Tax ID links on listings within the town of Fairfield.  The issue has already been reported to the Matrix programmers, as well as our tax vendor.  We hope to have it resolved quickly.
For the time being, if you click on the Tax ID link or the Public Records tab on a Fairfield listing, you will most likely see a blank page or get a "property not found" error.  
However, if you do a tax search for the property, you will be able to see the tax record without a problem.  
We apologize for the inconvenience. 

Monday, June 6, 2016

Listingbook training - June 7th

Listingbook will be holding hands-on training sessions, tomorrow, June 7th at the GFC CMLS office in Norwalk.
Click here to register for the 9:30 session
Click here to register for the 11:30 session
Listingbook AI — the second generation of America’s most popular lead nurturing and client collaboration platform —  live in your market.
Listingbook AI includes new business-boosting features like a robust, branded mobile app, advanced social sharing, full site branding with My Listingbook, and so much more, while continuing to offer you and your clients everything that you’ve loved about the original Listingbook platform.

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Areas with Affordable Homes

Where can buyers find affordable housing? A new report by Realtor.com news covers this topic, to read it click here

Friday, May 20, 2016

New "Tabbed" Listing Display Just Deployed

We are pleased to announce the deployment of two new listing displays within Matrix: Agent Full- Tabbed and Agent Flyer- Tabbed.

We hope that you find these new displays useful.  As always, we welcome your feedback.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Matrix Tip- Driving Directions

Have you ever pulled up a handful of listings that you wanted to go see or show, but then didn't know the best way to get from one to the next, to the next?  Matrix has you covered here.
After you perform your search and select the listings you want to see (using the check box), click the Directions button in the bar at the bottom of the screen (the same bar with the Email and Print buttons).  Matrix will calculate the most direct route between all the selected listings for you and display them on a map, with turn by turn driving directions underneath.  You can change the order of the stops if you prefer- simply use the thumbnail view of the properties on the right of the map and drag them up or down to get them in your desired order.  Once you are done, click the Directions button underneath the map- this forces Matrix to recalculate the driving directions based on the new order you have supplied.  Additionally, you may add a starting point (such as your office or home address) and/or a stop in between properties.  If you do so, remember to click the Directions button again so Matrix can recalculate the directions and include your added stops.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

MLS Orientation Webinar

Click here to join tonight's (5/11) MLS ORIENTATION Webinar from 6-7 PM.  This session covers the GFC CMLS website, contacting the staff for assistance, keys and keyboxes, Rules and Regs, Data Verification and much more.  All are welcome.
If you are taking this webinar to satisfy your new member requirements, you must be logged in for the ENTIRE webinar.
Enjoy!

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Sign up for a Class

Check out our class schedule here


Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Listingbook hands on training

Listingbook is offering hands on training at the GFC CMLS office on Wednesday, April 20th  at 9:30 am at the GFC CMLS office in Norwalk.  

Click here to register

Thursday, April 7, 2016

CMLS Orientation Webinar

Click Here to join tonight's (4/7) MLS ORIENTATION Webinar from 6-7 PM.  This session covers the GFC CMLS website, contacting the staff for assistance, keys and keyboxes, Rules and Regs, Data Verification and much more.  All are welcome.
If you are taking this webinar to satisfy your new member requirements, you must be logged in for the ENTIRE webinar.
Enjoy

Thursday, March 31, 2016

New Listing Input Forms have Arrived

After listening to feedback and suggestions we have reorganized/redesigned the listing input process.
  1. The input forms for all property types have been reorganized so the information flows in a logical fashion and minimizes vertical and horizontal scrolling.  Click here to view the new forms. 
  2. Added the ability to print the listing inout form for all property types either partially completed or fully completed for your seller to review and sign.
  3. Added additional select list option
  4. Added additional fields 
  5. Made some additional fields required.
Click here to view a complete list of additions and changes.

Monday, March 28, 2016

Listingbook AI Training Tomorrow (3/29)

We still have a few spots available in tomorrow's (Tuesday, March 29) Listingbook AI training sessions at the CMLS office in Norwalk.
The first session is 9:30-11:00am; the second is from 11:30am-1:00pm.
Click here for more information and to register.

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Orientation Webinar

Do you need to take the CMLS Orientation? 
Wednesday, March 23 - Orientation Webinar, 6-7pm

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Terry Watson: Avoid Real Estate Disasters


MFCAR is hosting a session with national speaker Terry Watson, Avoid Real Estate Disasters. He teaches audiences how to improve relationships with both clients and consumers, close transactions more efficiently and work smarter, not harder.  The session will take place on Wednesday, March 23.  Click here for registration and additional information or call MFCAR at 203-227-4418

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Classes and Webinars

If you'd like to sign up for a webinar or a hands-on class, you can check our Class schedule here:

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Listingbook AI Upgrade Tomorrow (2/23)

In case you have missed the announcements over the past several weeks, or were unable to attend one of last week’s sessions in Norwalk or Bethel, our Listingbook system is being upgraded to the latest version- Listingbook AI.  AI has an overhauled interface and many new and enhanced features that will allow you to better serve your clients.

Click here for a guide outlining many of the new and enhanced features you will find in AI.
 
This upgrade process will occur on Tuesday, February 23, 2016.  The entire Listingbook system will be down all day, for both Agents and Clients- no one will be able to log in.  The system will be back up for business Wednesday, February 24th.  

Friday, February 19, 2016

Mailing Agent Displays

By default, when you send listings via email through Matrix, your recipient only gets Client-facing displays.  However, there may be times when you want to email an Agent display. Matrix can do that!
After you select the listing(s) you want to send and click the Email button, the subsequent screen opens where you enter your recipient's address, and email subject, text, etc.  The fourth line down on this screen is a field that says Display- click on the Additional link on the right side.  This allows you to select one Agent-facing display to include in the email.

When the recipient opens the email, they will still have the drop-down list of all of the Client displays; the Agent display that you included will appear at the bottom of the list.
Obviously, Agent displays contain broker and other sensitive information, so be careful who you are sending it to.  

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Matrix I Webinar

Click here to join the MATRIX I webinar tonight (Thursday, February 11) from 6-9pm.  This session covers searching, printing, emailing listings, hotsheets, branding, and much more!  All are welcome.  
However, if you are taking this webinar to satisfy your new member requirements, you MUST be logged in for the entire 3 hours to receive credit.
Enjoy.

Monday, February 1, 2016

Tax Search Webinar

Click Here to join the TAX SEARCH Webinar on Tuesday, February 2 from 10-10:30am.  This session teaches you how to search and print Matrix Tax Records.  
All are welcome.
Enjoy!

Friday, January 29, 2016

Showingtime Support

As always, if you need help with Showingtime you can call us here during our regular office hours, or email our support:  support (at) ct-mls.com

To see the Showtime FAQ, support videos, and after-hours support/contact info, click this link




Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Remembering Thursa Merritt

We are deeply saddened to report that one of our former employees, Thursa Merritt, passed away last week.  Thursa was a big part of the CMLS technical support staff for 10 years, from 2000 to 2010.  
She was a dependable employee who was always very cheerful and willing to help.  Our members were always in good hands when they called in for support and got Thursa on the phone. 
She will truly be missed.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Manage Listings Webinar

Click Here to join Thursday's (1/14) MANAGE LISTINGS Webinar from 10-10:30am.  We will cover modifying listings, reverse prospecting, hit counters, sharing listings and more.  
Enjoy!

MLS Orientation Webinar

Click Here to join tonight's (1/13) MLS ORIENTATION Webinar from 6-7 PM.This session covers the GFC CMLS website, contacting the staff for assistance, keys and keyboxes, Rules and Regs, Data Verification and much more.  All are welcome.
If you are taking this webinar to satisfy your new member requirements, you must be logged in for the ENTIRE webinar.
Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Matrix I Webinar

Click here to register for the Matrix I Webinar on January 7th (6pm-9pm)