Happy New Year from the GFC CMLS

Our hours for the week of December 29th will be:

Monday, December 29th, 8:30 - 5pm

Tuesday, December 30th, 8:30 - 5pm

Wednesday, December 31st, 8:30 - 3pm

Thursday, January 1st, Office closed

Friday, January 2nd, 8:30 - 5pm

Saturday, January 3rd, 9:00 - 1pm

Searching for a Master Bedroom with a full bath

We have just added logic to the Residential For Sale and Rental search screens that allows you to search for listings that have a Master Bath (Master Bedroom with a Full Bath).  There is a new field on the search screen that says Master Bedroom has Full Bath- putting a check in the Yes box will show all those listings that have a Master Bath.

 

You may want to double check your active residential listings to make sure that, if they have a Master Bath, you have selected Full Bath as one of the features in the Master Bedroom field.  If you have not done so, your listing will not show up if a user puts a check in the Yes box for the Master Bedroom has Full Bath field.

Custom & Grid Displays Webinar

 Click here to join the Custom & Grid Displays Webinar being held on Friday, December 12th from 11:00- 11:45 am.  This session  includes creating and editing custom displays (reports) and custom exports for spreadsheets and word processors as well as customizing the grid display.  All are welcome. 
ENJOY!

Matrix Tip

Are you looking for a report that has statistics such as price per square foot, average CDOM, high/low/median price, and more?  

If so, after you perform your search and select the listings you want to use, click Print and then choose CMA 1 Line.  It is located towards the bottom of the report list.

Class schedule

You can check on the upcoming classes and webinars from our website here:

http://www.ct-mls.com/Classes/EdCalendar.aspx

New Single Line Grid

We have just deployed a new display called the Single Line (Grid).  Grid functionality is new to Matrix since our upgrade to version 6.7 a few weeks ago.  You may have noticed that any custom displays you had created in Matrix prior to the upgrade were automatically converted to grids.  Grids are very flexible, allowing you to rearrange any of the columns by using the drag and drop method.  You can also quickly change their width and alignment (left, center, right), as well as delete existing columns and add new ones.  Grids give you a good basis with which to begin creating your own custom display.  We deliberately designed it with a lot of the most commonly used fields on it to assist you in using it as a template to create your own custom version.

 

You are able to print the grid report, but this comes with a warning:  at its default, since there are so many fields on it and it can only print in Portrait orientation, the text will be really small.  We suggest you take some time to configure it to your specifications before you attempt printing it.  There are likely many fields you will not find necessary and hence remove, creating a more readable printed version.

 

Please contact the CMLS office with any questions.

Classes and Orientation webinars

SIgn up for one of our informative, dynamic training sessions.  Whether it be hands-on or webinar, we have classes to fit everyone's busy schedule!

Matrix 1                 6-9pm                     Webinar     11/4

Open House         10-10-30am            Webinar     11/5

Listingbook 1         6-9pm                     Webinar     11/6

Orientation            10:30-11:30am        Norwalk     11/7

Click here to register online or feel free to call us at 203-840-6674 x 300.

Matrix 6.7 upgrade

We have created several short training videos on the most significant features and enhancements of the Matrix 6.7 upgrade:

 

http://www.ct-mls.com/Training/videos/Matrix-WhatsNew-ClientPortal/Matrix-WhatsNew-ClientPortal.html

 

http://www.ct-mls.com/Training/videos/Matrix-WhatsNew-HotsheetWidget/Matrix-WhatsNew-HotsheetWidget.html

 

http://www.ct-mls.com/Training/videos/Matrix-WhatsNew-MapClusters/Matrix-WhatsNew-MapClusters.html

 

 

Click here for a one page upgrade announcement that details the major enhancements of the upgrade.

iOS8 and Matrix

We have gotten reports of Matrix not playing very nicely with the new iOS8 upgrade available for iPhones and iPads.

 

If you have upgraded to iOS8 on your device and have problems within Matrix, try accessing Matrix through Google Chrome rather than the Safari browser.  Users are having more success in Chrome on iOS8 than in Safari.

Matrix 6.7 Upgrade

On Monday, September 29th, we will be getting a fairly significant upgrade to our Matrix system.  

In order for this upgrade to be installed, the entire Matrix system (including Matrix Mobile) will be down for about three hours, beginning at 10pm.

 

Click here for a one page upgrade announcement.

  

This announcement is also included in a mailing to the heads of all CMLS offices that is going out this week.  

It highlights the major enhancements you will be able to access once the upgrade is completed.

Additionally, we have created several short training videos on the most significant features and enhancements of the upgrade:

 

http://www.ct-mls.com/Training/videos/Matrix-WhatsNew-ClientPortal/Matrix-WhatsNew-ClientPortal.html

 

http://www.ct-mls.com/Training/videos/Matrix-WhatsNew-HotsheetWidget/Matrix-WhatsNew-HotsheetWidget.html

 

http://www.ct-mls.com/Training/videos/Matrix-WhatsNew-MapClusters/Matrix-WhatsNew-MapClusters.html

Upcoming Matrix and Listingbook Classes

SIgn up for one of our informative, dynamic training sessions.  Whether it be hands-on or webinar, we have classes to fit everyone's busy schedule!

Matrix I                     6-9pm                     Webinar     9/25

Custom Displays  11-11:30am           Webinar     9/26

Open Lab               9:30am-12:30pm     Norwalk     9/29

MLS Orientation     6-7pm                    Webinar     9/30

Click here to register online or feel free to call us at 203-840-6674 x 300.

Computer Repair

Did you know that the technicians at GFC CMLS can help with more than just Matrix or Listingbook questions?

If your PC won’t boot up, can’t connect to the internet, or is just running slowly, you can drop it off at our office and we will work on it for you.

We can also diagnose and tune it up, backup your data or transfer it to a new computer, install new hardware such as a hard drive or memory, install new software or update existing software, remove malware and virus infections, install security software, and optimize your computer.

The best part is, all of our repair services are done as a no-cost member benefit.

If you are a GFC CMLS subscriber in good standing (i.e.- you pay your dues), we will fix your computer for free.

Keep in mind that you have to leave the PC here, usually for a couple of days.

If you are interested in our repair services, please call ahead and make an appointment.

Labor Day Holiday

In observance of the Labor Day holiday, the CMLS office will be closing at 5pm today, Friday, August 29th, and will open again at 8:30am on Tuesday, September 2nd.

Have a safe, enjoyable weekend.

Sign up for a Class

You can check our schedule for classes from the link below,  
http://www.ct-mls.com/Classes/EdCalendar.aspx

If you need help signing up for a class, give us a call:
203-840-6674 ext 300

It is with great sadness

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of our dear friend, past Chairman, and longtime director of the GFC CMLS, Ray Milyo.  Calling hours will be Thursday, August 7th from 5 to 8pm at the Abriola Funeral Home in Trumbull. 
Click here to view Ray's obituary.

AOL Email Issue

For the past few days, emails from the Matrix system to AOL users have been blocked by AOL.  They have put us on their blacklist because too many Matrix emails have been marked as Spam within AOL.  Obviously, this can happen if the recipient physically marks the email as Spam.

 

Additionally, an email can be marked as spam by AOL when the To: and From: addresses are the same.  This happens if a Matrix user who has an AOL email address on file with CMLS send him/herself an email from Matrix to that same AOL address.  Emails that have the same address in the To: and From: fields is a big red flag and most email programs (not just AOL) see this as suspicious behavior and will automatically block it/mark it as Spam.  

 

A lot of Matrix users like to send themselves emails from Matrix first, and then forward those emails onto their customers.  This is likely a major contributor of us being blacklisted.  We strongly suggest that, if you still wish to vet the listings that you are sending your customers, set them up on Auto Email and use the Concierge feature- this sends you the email first, and you can pick and choose which listings get sent on to the Contact.  If you insist on sending the listings to yourself first and then forwarding them on to your customer, do not send to the same email address that you have on file at the CMLS.  Otherwise, we will continue to experience blacklist issues in the future.

 

At least for the short term, if you are trying to email someone at an AOL address, it will likely not arrive.  Try to get an alternate email address from them.

 

We appreciate your patience and cooperation.

Upcoming Matrix and Listingbook Classes

Sign up for one of our informative, dynamic training sessions.  Whether it be hands-on or webinar, we have classes to fit everyone's busy schedule!

Adjusting Listing Map Location              Aug 4      10:00-10:30am     Webinar

Listingbook I                                        Aug 5     9:30am-12:30pm    Norwalk

Listing Input                                         Aug 7     6:00pm- 8:30pm     Webinar

Custom Displays and Exports              Aug 13     11:00-11:30am      Webinar

Click here to register online or feel free to call us at 203-840-6674 x 300.

Hot Sheet and Market Watch Webinar

CLICK HERE to join today's (Friday, June 20th) HOTSHEET AND MARKET WATCH Webinar from 11-11:30 am.  
All are welcome.  Enjoy!

Upcoming Matrix and Listingbook Classes

Sign up for one of our informative, dynamic training sessions.  Whether it be hands-on or webinar, we have classes to fit everyone's busy schedule!

Hot Sheets+    June 20          11:00am-11:30am  Webinar

Matrix II             June 24           9:30am-12:30pm   Norwalk

Matrix I              June 25           9:30am-12:30pm   Bethel

Listingbook I   June 25           1:30pm-4:30pm     Bethel

Matrix I              June 26           9:30am-12:30pm   Bridgeport

Listingbook I   June 26           1:30pm-4:30pm     Bridgeport

Email                June 30           9:30am-10:00am  Webinar

Click here to register online or feel free to call us at 203-840-6674 x 300.

Listingbook II Webinar

Click Here to join tonight's (Thursday, May 22) LISTINGBOOK II Webinar from 6-9 PM.  
All are welcome.  Enjoy!

CMLS Holiday Hours

In observance of Memorial Day, we will be closing at 5pm on Friday May 23rd and will reopen 8:30am on Tuesday May 27th.

Have a pleasant weekend.

Sad News

We are deeply saddened to report that Norman Knight has passed away.  Norman was a CMLS Technician for 9 years.

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Robin, who is also a member of our Technical Support staff.  

Upcoming Matrix and Listingbook Classes

SIgn up for one of our informative, dynamic training sessions.  Whether it be hands-on or webinar, we have classes to fit everyone's busy schedule!

Matrix I                   May 13            9:30am-12:30pm      Bethel

Open Lab             May 13            1:30pm-4:30pm         Bethel

Matrix I                  May 15             9:30am-12:30pm      Bridgeport

Matrix II                 May 15            1:30pm-4:30pm         Bridgeport

Matrix I                  May 20            6pm-9pm                  Webinar

Listingbook II        May 22             6pm-9pm                  Webinar

Custom Displays 

and Exports        May 23             11am-12pm             Webinar

Listing Entry     May 28             9:30am-12pm            Norwalk

Matrix I                May 29            9:30am-12:30pm     Stamford

Matrix II               May 29            1:30pm-4:30pm       Stamford

  

Sad News

We are deeply saddened to report that Norman Knight has passed away.  Norman was a CMLS Technician for 9 years.

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Robin, who is also a member of our Technical Support staff. 

Listingbook I Webinar

Click Here to join the Listingbook I Webinar being held tonight, Monday, May 5th from 6-9 PM.  ENJOY!

Coming in May!

The GFC CMLS will be offering several NEW training alternatives beginning in May 2014!!! 

Check out our class schedules at ct-mls.com and sign yourself up for one of the following:

OPEN LAB:  No set topics.  Bring your questions about Matrix and/or Listingbook and we'll answer them for you!  Come any time during the posted hours. (3 hours)

MAP SEARCHING Webinar:  Search with the map, view flood zones, tax parcels, etc.  Pinpoint and view an address, including Google Street View, where available. (30 minutes)

EMAIL AND AUTO-EMAIL Webinar:  Send emails to clients and other agents, set up auto-emails, favorite searches, etc. (30 minutes)

CUSTOM DISPLAYS AND EXPORTS Webinar:  Exporting to Excel, Word, etc. Creating custom search result displays too! (1 hour)

Upcoming Matrix and Listingbook Classes

Listingbook II April 14            CANCELLED       Webinar   

Matrix I           April 17           9:30a-12:30p     Bridgeport

Listingbook I  April 17           1:30p-4:30p        Bridgeport

Matrix I           April 22           9:30a-12:30p     Bethel

Matrix II          April 22           1:30p-4:30p       Bethel

Listing Entry   April 23           9:30a-12 noon   Norwalk

Matrix I           April 24           6:00p-9:00p      Webinar

Matrix I          April 29           9:30a-12:30p     Norwalk

Click Here to register now or to view our May calendar!

Matrix I Webinar

Click Here to join tonight's (Tuesday, January 7th) Matrix I Webinar from 6-9 PM.  
All are welcome!  Enjoy!

N-Play says many Agents are joining Facebook

Many MLSs allow listings to be posted on Facebook, and the number of agents using FB is growing

Click here to read the full article on Inman News