2015 NAR Membership Cards Available

You can download a free NAR membership card or order a plastic one for just $5.00. The card can be customized with the your name, designations and NRDS ID number, and allows access to benefits like those offered through Hertz and .REALTOR, the official 2015 membership card sponsors.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Jan. 22, 2015 – Florida Realtors® released an enhanced version of its listing search and reporting product, MLS Advantage, Wednesday as part of the association's 2015 Mid-Winter Meetings in Orlando. Of particular note for Realtors who increasingly check listings on the go is a new "responsive design," which means the format, including Comparative Market Anal ysis (CMA) reports, is more user-friendly when viewed on a mobile device, such as a smartphone or iPad.

Developers call it "a major overhaul" for MLSAdvantage. The latest release includes:

� that can be used for a presentation, pr ice analysis, proper ty data comparison or as a tool to find the location of comparable listings.

• allows members to use MLSAdvantage from phones and tablets without zooming in to read or view information. While members could access MLSAdvantage on mobile devices before, the smaller screens made it difficult to use all the tools and support functions.

"MLSAdvantage is now easy to use on a mobile device, as well as a computer," says Eric Forsman, Florida Realtors vice president of technology services. "The real beauty of responsive design, however, is that the transition appears seamless to members. The system recognizes their device and the user format adapts automatically to make members' jobs easier."

In general, the mobile-friendly version of MLSAdvantage works appropriately on all mobile devices. Screen views, for example, wi ll rotate when a mobile device is turned.

According to MLSAdvantage developers, this is the last major component of the 2014 redesign. While it's the final step in active development, however, MLSAdvantage will receive ongoing minor updates based, in part, on user requests. Currently, the old version of MLSAdvantage is still available for member use, but developers say it will go away in the not-too-distant future.

The latest version of MLSAdvantage has a new login page: mlsadvantage.floridarealtors.org; alternately, members can visit and click on " New MLSAdvantage."

The new MLSAdvantage version has everything from the old version, plus additional or improved features. Before yesterday's upgrade, it had basic and advanced search capabilities, Google Maps search and display, direct connection with Form Simplicity to generate contracts; customer reports; and advanced search options. MLSAdvantage data covers 95 percent of listed Florida properties.

� – The latest interface has bright colors, user-friendly features and easier navigation in an all-new design. The search fields are aligned differently, in a way that streamlines the process of searching for properties.

� – Users have access to the same in-depth details, but a property search is now easier to navigate and more streamlined.

� – Users can search for properties on a map using either a circle or a rectangular radius.

� – Users may choose from 6 different report types.

� – Clients' contact information can be added and stored within MLSAdvantage.

– Users now have access to commonly asked questions about the site based on type: Search Help, Reports Help, Customers Help, Listings Help and Account Help. There is also an option to contact Florida Realtors Tech Helpline for l ive support.

© 2015 Florida Realtors®

Make A Difference in Your Business – Invest in RPAC Today! What is a PAC? PACs have been around since 1944, when the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) formed the first one to raise money for the re-election of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. A Political Action Committee (PAC) is a popular term for a political committee organized by like-minded people for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates. The PAC's money must come from voluntary contributions from members rather than the member's dues treasury. PACs represent business, labor or ideological interests. PACs can give $5,000 to a candidate committee per election (primary, general, run-off or special). They can also give up to $15,000 annually to any national party committee, and $5,000 annually to any other PAC. PACs may receive up to $5,000 from any one individual.

Why should I contribute to RPAC? RPAC is the muscle behind NAR. RPAC represents over 400,000 politically active REALTORS that members of Congress want as their friends. Recent legislative and regulatory successes include:

The continued preservation of the mortgage interest deduction. Tax relief benefiting the real estate industry. Improving federal mortgage programs, allowing more families to join the ranks of homeownership. Eliminating burdensome regulations inhibiting environmental quality and healthy real estate markets.

How will my contribution be used? 100% of your contribution is used to elect pro-REALTOR candidates: 70% remains in the state to be used in state and local elec-tions. 30% of your contribution will be forwarded to National RPAC to fund key U.S. House and Senate races. Until your state PAC reaches its RPAC goal 30% is sent to National RPAC to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C. 441a; after the state PAC reaches its RPAC goal it may elect to retain your entire contribution for use in supporting state and local candidates. RPAC is neither a Republican nor a Democratic organization. Your contribution to RPAC is a vote for a pro-REALTOR Congress, regardless of political party.

How do I invest in RPAC? Make A Difference In Your Business – Invest in RPAC Today! Making an investment in the REALTORS® Political Action Committee is simple and easy. Here’s what you need to do: 1. Call the REALTORS® Association of Citrus County (352) 746-7550. 2. Contact National RPAC at (202) 383-7509 and make a personal investment using a personal credit card or check payable to RPAC. You can also make your investment online. Your generous investment will go directly to the election campaigns of pro-REALTOR® candidates. Investments can also be made using a corporate account. If choosing this option, please make your corporate investment payable to NAR/PAF. You can also make your investment online. These funds will go towards the Opportunity Race Program that helps pro-REALTOR® candidates by getting REALTORS® active in political campaigns. Contributions are not deductible for income tax purposes. Contributions to RPAC are voluntary and are used for political purposes. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal and the National Association of REALTORS® or any of its state associations or local boards will not favor or disfavor any member because of the amount contributed. 70% of each contribution is used by your state PAC to support state and local political candidates. Until your state PAC reaches its RPAC goal 30% is sent to National RPAC to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 2 U.S.C. 441a; after the state PAC reaches its RPAC goal it may elect to retain your entire contribution for use in supporting state and local candidates. This is a message from Trey Goldman, Flor ida Realtors Legislat ive Counsel in regards to last year ’s elect ion:

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MLS WARNINGS AND FINES FOR JANUARY In January the MLS issued the following to ParƟcipants and/or Subscribers: Warnings: Duplicate LisƟng (0) Wrong Category or Area (6) Pending and Closed (4) No Photo (1) Public remarks/ Branded Virtual Tour (0) Lockbox Codes (0) Fine: (0) $25 (0) $50 Violation of the same offense will be subject to the following: 1st offense: Written Notice

2nd offense: $50.00 Fine 3rd offense: $100.00 Fine

� Failure to submit contingent, pending and closed information within two (2) business days. � Failure to enter a photo. Note: The seller may request in writing a photograph of the property not be included. � Failure to enter a listing in the correct category. � Duplicate address and/or alternate key for the same property.

SAVE THE DATE! RPAC CHILI COOK-OFF WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY APRIL 9th AT 5:30 P.M. GET THOSE RECIPES READY!

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Our condolences and deepest sympathy are extended to REALTOR® Jennifer Lehman on the loss of her mother, Karol.