Realty Times is proud to announce distribution agreements with 25 member-owned or third-party operated MLS organizations to promote Market Conditions Report(tm) as a premier marketing tool and as a benefit for members.

"When we were presented with the opportunity to add this valuable content to our website for our membership, I was extremely happy and jumped at the chance," said Denise M. Keron, executive vice president of the Santa Fe Association of Realtors. "As the Executive Director, I am always looking for value-added products and services to share with our membership.

"Santa Fe is a unique and different housing market. I believe our members will find the information provided by the Market Conditions Report useful in comparing our market to other markets that have a good proportion of second home and resort area housing in their areas," continues Keron.

Jim Harrison, CEO of North Texas Real Estate Information Systems, Inc., says, "We got involved because we want to let our members know there is an excellent farming tool available, and anything that gets customers to e-mail or call is a good thing."

"What I like is it gives members an opportunity to have a voice," he adds. "A buyer can have stats to look at but the Market Conditions Report is more timely. There is nothing like hearing from the people who know more about the community than anybody else."

Harrison explains that his company is distributing Market Conditions Report, The Real Estate Update, and Realty Times news for consumers and agents on the NTREIS web site, as well as pushing the Report out in the MLS's newsletters to members. He also puts a link to Realty Times' Real Estate Update, a newsletter from agents to consumers, in the signature line of his e-mail.

"I want people to look at it and see it," he says. "I have enjoyed some of the comments I get. It is an excellent farming tool."

Vice president of business development at Realty Times John Giaimo, says he has noticed a growing trend in MLSs promoting quality lead generation and management tools for their members.

"Market Conditions Report is a natural content addition to MLS/Association Web sites," he said. "What better way to compliment the membership than by promoting members on a local and professional basis!"

The Market Conditions Report solves a key marketing problem for agents - how to get exposure for their Web sites on key Internet portals that serve consumers, including national portals such as MSN HomeAdvisor and also local newspaper portals.

Many MLSs are looking at local newspaper Web sites for distribution of MLS data. For example, the Southern California Multiple Listing Service shares MLS listing data with The Orange County Register's homes search site, www.ochomeconnection.com. Market Conditions Report is offered by SoCalMLS to members, and it is a natural fit with the local newspaper's distribution of listings.

"I encourage associations and MLSs to promote Market Conditions to their members and subscribers because I believe it is based on a sound marketing concept," says Saul Klein, president of Internet Crusade, an MLS and industry consulting firm. "Just letting members know about it is a service.

"I like Market Conditions because it offers a way for Realtors to interact with the consumer by providing valuable local content...they can become the recognized local area expert," he says. "The Internet is about people connecting with people and there is no other marketing tool on the market quite like Market Conditions for allowing Realtors to take advantage of one of the biggest opportunities the internet has to offer...connections to the consumer."

Other associations and MLSs which have distribution agreements with Realty Times are:

• Delta Association of Realtors

• Emerald Coast Association of Realtors

• Green Valley Association of Realtors

• Hastings Board of Realtors, Inc.

• Lancaster County Association of Realtors

• Lebanon County Association of Realtors & MLS

• Melbourne Area Association of Realtors

• Middle Tennessee Association of Realtors

• North San Diego County Association of Realtors

• Park County Board of Realtors

• Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale

• Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches, Inc.

• Realtor Association of Miami-Dade County

• Society of Commercial Realtors of Greater Fort Lauderdale

• Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors

• Southside Virginia Association of Realtors

• St. Charles County Association of Realtors

• Tallahassee Board of Realtors

• Teton Board of Realtors

• Western Regional Information Systems and Technology

• Yakima Association of Realtors

Editor's note: Many of the distribution agreements announced above have been arranged through Realty Times' partnership with the Internet Crusade.

Published: March 29, 2002

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