New House and Home Channel Launched
On March 11, 2004, MSN launched a new House and Home Channel, which incorporates listings data from Realtor.com. We are providing Q & A information for our members who may have questions about this relationship.
What is the relationship between MSN and REALTOR.com®?
In January 2004, Homestore announced that REALTOR.com®, the official Web site of the National Association of REALTORS®, will be the exclusive provider of integrated resale home listings and REALTOR® directory content to the House & Home channel on the MSN network. (The original release can be found in the "Press Releases" section of http://ir.homestore.com.)
When will the REALTOR.com® integration with MSN go live?
The integration was completed on Thursday, March 11, 2004. We are continuing to develop our relationship with MSN, though, and expect other components of the REALTOR.com® Marketing System to be integrated into MSN House & Home in the coming months.
What is included in this launch?
This launch includes the integration of the Find A Home and Find A REALTOR® search functionalities into MSN House & Home. It is important to note that this launch does not include display on MSN of Featured Home, Featured Agent, Featured Company. We are in continuing discussions with MSN on this subject.
Are there additional costs for REALTOR.com® listings to appear on MSN?
No. All listings, including enhancements, will be displayed on MSN at no additional cost to agents.
Will Listing Enhancements, Virtual Tours and Office Sign Riders appear on MSN?
Yes. All Listing Enhancements, Virtual Tours and Office Sign Riders purchased on REALTOR.com® will appear automatically on the MSN co-branded site, at no additional cost to agents.
Why won't my Featured Home, Featured Agent and/or Featured Company spots appear on MSN?
REALTORS® will have an opportunity to purchase additional products on MSN. We are still working out the details, though, and will communicate these opportunities as soon as something has been finalized.
Then why do my Featured Home, Featured Agent and/or Featured Company spots appear on AOL?
This is a different agreement, and we have different contractual obligations with AOL than with MSN.
Do REALTORS® need a special Find A REALTOR® subscription to appear on MSN?
No. All REALTORS® listed on the REALTOR.com® site will appear automatically on the MSN co-branded site.
How much traffic does the MSN House & Home channel get?
The MSN House & Home Channel had an average of more than 5 million monthly unique users last year according to comScore Media Metrix.
How much will traffic to REALTOR.com® increase because of this integration?
We will not have specific numbers until May but we can say that we expect traffic to REALTOR.com® to increase materially. In May, we should be able to look at April site statistics and see how much traffic this relationship with MSN has generated.
The addition of MSN places REALTOR.com® listings on two of the top three Internet portals that control more than 90 percent of Internet traffic, which is great news for REALTORS®.
Who was MSN House & Home's previous data provider?
REALTOR.com ® is replacing Lending Tree's RealEstate.com. It is also worth noting that LendingTree will not be able to advertise its realty services anywhere on the MSN House & Home channel.
Does this mean that REALTOR.com® is giving MLS data to MSN?
No listing information will be given or sent to MSN. All property listing data will continue to reside on REALTOR.com's ® site and databases. We are simply hosting listing search results for MSN.
Why is REALTOR.com® partnering with HomeAdvisor, a site NAR considered a threat to the industry?
Microsoft actually stopped aggregating listings on HomeAdvisor several months ago, and re-developed itself as MSN House & Home, a source for home and real estate related information. Their objectives have changed over the past year or so, and they are now showing their full support of REALTORS® by partnering with REALTOR.com®.
The National Association of REALTORS® fully supports and endorses this relationship because it keeps REALTORS® at the center of the real estate transaction and exposes REALTOR® listings to a much larger audience.
NAR
NEWS
Is a Do-Not-E-mail List Coming?
The Federal Trade Commission announced last week that it's taking public comments on creating a do-not-e-mail registry, similar to the Do Not Call Registry. The FTC was ordered to report to Congress on the feasibility of such a registry as part of the CAN-SPAM Act that went into effect Jan. 1. The FTC has said it does not support such a registry. NAR supported the CAN-SPAM Act but says a do-not-e-mail registry will create significant compliance burdens on small businesses. The deadline for submitting comments is March 31. For instructions on submitting comments, Go To: http://www.realtor.org/vlibrary.nsf/pages/dncupdate
OMB AND HUD Agree to 30 Day Extension of RESPA Review
After objections from more than 220 members of the U.S. House, the Office of Management and Budget and HUD have agreed to a 30-day extension for review of the proposed "final" RESPA rule to determine the validity of the OMB's economic impact analysis. The OMB received more than 30,000 letters from NAR members, as well as from House and Senate members, asking it to reject HUD's rule as final and return it to HUD with instructions to issue a revised proposed rule and seek additional public comment. For more info on the RESPA issue, Go To: http://www.realtor.org/GAPublic.nsf/pages/mymbus#respa. For additional info, CONTACT: Lynn King, 202/383-1156, lking@realtors.org.
HUD Launches New FHS Hybrid ARM Rates
HUD issued a final rule that creates new adjustment rates for FHA adjustable-rate mortgages. Under the new rule, annual interest rate adjustments for ARMs with an initial fixed period of five or fewer years would be limited to one percentage point, with a total adjustment cap of five percentage points. For seven- and ten-year ARMS, the rule allows annual adjustments of up to two percentage points, with a total cap of six percentage points. The rule goes into effect April 9.
NAR had submitted comments in support of this proposed rule, which is expected to expand homeownership opportunities for thousands of Americans. For more info, CONTACT: Peter Morgan, 202/383-1233, pmorgan@realtors.org. Access the final rule at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov /2004/pdf/04-5314.pdf
Court Upholds Do-Not-Call Registry
A U.S. Court of Appeals last week upheld the constitutionality of the Do-Not-Call Registry. This court case had stalled the FCC's consideration of NAR's request to clarify that the do-not-call rules do not apply to certain real estate practices, specifically calling FSBOs and expired listings. NAR has relaunched lobbying FCC Commissioners and staff to clarify the rule. For more info, CONTACT: Lynn King, 202/383-1156, lking@realtors.org.
NAR Alliance Program Update
Dell
The world's leading direct computer system company offers NAR members discounts on all Dell desktops, notebooks, workstations, servers and storage, software and peripherals, and printers. Call 1-877-648-3355; mention NAR. To order online at: http://premier.dell.com
Access Code: NAR Access Key: NARDELL
Hewlett-Packard Company
Hewlett-Packard Company provides REALTORS® an exciting, exclusive offer - the entire HP commercial product line is available at savings up to 10%. Includes digital cameras, PCs, notebooks, and more! Call 1-800-888-8177 or visit www.hp.com/go/nar.
The CD Guys
Special pricing on personalized holiday, classical, jazz, Americana and patriotic music CDs, printed with the NAR signature logo and motto, or personalized with your name. The inside cover is die-cut to hold a personal business card. Call 1-888-448-6410, or visit www.REALTOR.org/realtorVIP.
NAR Business Specialties
NAR provides online information and resources, as well as networking and education opportunities. Below is just one of the useful online tools and specialized services available.
Real Estate Appraisal
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Online directory of over 30,000 appraiser members nationwide
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NAR confers two appraisal designations:
Residential Accredited Appraiser (RAA®) and General Accredited Appraiser (GAA®)
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Networking and education sessions at national meetings
NAR Virtual Library
Have you visited the LIBRARY @ REALTOR.org lately?
FREE access to over 1200 businesses through PROQUEST - Read and search the latest issues and back issues of the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, National Real Estate Investor, Association Management, Sales & Marketing Management and more.
How to find the Virtual Library:
