25 Things Every Policy Manual Needs

Your brokerage office’s policy manual provides a road map for new workers during orientation and helps them understand your company, its goals, and what is expected of them to succeed.

1. A mission statement and business philosophy.

2. Company history, including major milestones, accomplishments, and any background on mergers and acquisitions.

3. The company’s target markets, demographics, property types, list of services, and marketing plan.

4. National, state, and local codes of ethics, which formally explain how salespeople must adhere to regulations.

5. Fair housing regulations, sexual harassment policies.

6. Independent-contractor agreement.

7. Expense management—who bears responsibility for board dues, MLS fees, continuing education costs.

8. Fee and commission structure—splits, co-operative policies, bonus plans.

9. Advertising strategy—philosophy, costs to the salesperson, signage, and process for submitting ads.

10. Internet and e-mail policies—use of logos, photos, company name; who is responsible for designing and maintaining the site; spamming and opt-in marketing; copyright issues; legal and illegal contests.

11. Procedures- office hours, dress policy, personal safety.

12. Keys—locations and how they’re managed.

13. An equal employment opportunity statement, stating that applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.

14. Sales meetings—suggested attendance.

15. Overhead costs— responsibility for local and long-distance calls, postage, photocopying, advertising.

16. Procedures- floor time, presenting offers, presenting agency and other disclosure statements, delivering paperwork, open house, forms of agency.

17. MLS—responsibility for entering listings into the system, how long listings can remain on the site after sale.

All LIVE Webinar programs will feature a live instructor, so that you can ask questions, interact and earn your credits from the comfort of your own home! Each class will provide you with 2 CE credits towards license renewal.

After registration and processing by Board Office staff, the instructor will send you an email confirmation and a course link that is UNIQUE TO YOU and the program you registered for. You will also receive a reminder email before the class with another copy of your unique link. We recommend first time users click the link and begin the log-in process 10-15 minutes before the class is set to begin. This will give you time to download any necessary software, if needed. The website will check to see if you need to download the software to run the webinar, and this will give you plenty of time to install the software and enter into the online classroom. All others can log in in 2 minutes or less.

The course uses your computer screen and speakers. You can alternatively call into a toll-free number (provided in your email confirmation) to hear the audio portion of the program, but you must have access to and be able to interact online as well. The instructor will ask questions, solicit feedback and post polls for your participation. In order to grant CE credit, we will confirm that you are logged in for the full program (no less than 120 minutes) and interacting throughout the class.… Read on

Pathways to Professionalism
[free, full color marketing brochure]

While the Code of Ethics establishes enforceable, ethical standards governing the professional conduct of REALTORS®, the following list of courtesies is a voluntary commitment. For real estate professionals, it’s the little things count the most when making a good impression on clients and business associations.

I. Respect for the Public

1. Always follow the “Golden Rule” – Do undo others, as you would have done to you.
2. When working with clients or customers, take care not to abandon them by taking frequent or in-depth cell phone calls.
3. Respond promptly to all inquiries and requests for information. Have backup coverage to assist when you are unavailable.
4. Communicate with all parties in a timely fashion.
5. Enter listed property first to ensure that unexpected situations (such as pets) are handled appropriately.
6. Never criticize a property in front of the owner.
7. It is far better to say “I don’t know, but will find out” than to make statements that you will have to correct later.
8. Always source your statements if your knowledge is a result of another’s comments or representations.
9. Present a professional appearance at all times; dress appropriately and have a clean car.
10. Communicate clearly; don’t use jargon not readily understood by the general public.
11. Be aware of and respect cultural differences. Make an effort to understand diversity issues.
12. Show courtesy and respect to the public.
13. Be aware of and meet all deadlines.
14. Promise only what you can deliver and keep your promises.
15. Explain all contracts, forms and disclosures clearly and encourage clients to ask questions on any item that is not completely understood.

Internet Data Exchange (IDX)

IDX is a method of providing a search feature on your website. This allows members of the public to utilize your site to perform a search of properties in the Multiple Listing Service. Limited data is displayed back to them. There are several options available to integrate this search on your site, keep reading to find out more! Please inquire from Board Office staff or Flex IDX staff to see about the options available. A free, smart frame version IDX SE is included in our MLS contract. Please go to IDX Manager from the menu in FlexMLS.

Data Feeds – $100 – $1,000 / yr

We offer members with an RESO API data feed for API through the Sparkmart Platform managed by FBS data systems.  RETS is currently being deprecated in favor of the Spark API and our RESO Web API. The future of real estate data transport increasingly uses RESO standards like the Web API and Data Dictionary. After execution of the local agreement, please follow these steps to learn how to subscribe to an MLS data plan in the Spark Datamart:

1. The Brokerage must execute a Data License Agreement to begin. Email this completed agreement to Sue@BerkshireRealtors.org (MLS Admin) and/or Sandy@BerkshireRealtors.org (CEO)
2. Visit The Spark Platform and click “Signup” in the upper right hand corner. Note: Check out Pricing, Documentation. (Note $100 per agent or office feed, $1,000 for MLS wide license)
3. Complete the Developer Registration form and click “Sign Up” at the bottom of the page.