While hackers are an ongoing challenge for the entire technology industry, our biggest threats are people and companies who shouldn’t have access to the MLS and are logging in with passwords they have either been given or have obtained through other unauthorized methods. Often, real estate professionals do not realize when they give out their login to one trusted person or company, that person may tell another, and eventually scores or even (in some documented cases) hundreds of people gain access. Even if a member never shares their password, it can be stolen or guessed. That risk can be somewhat reduced by using a very complex password and changing it often – but that’s difficult to do for most users, doesn’t fully solve the problem either, and typically results in the user writing the password down. Because of password sharing and theft, MLS organizations and MLS vendors have estimated between 10 and 25 percent of user logins are not legitimate dues paying members of the MLS.

Limiting access to the information behind the MLS login is important for many reasons. First, there is a lot of sensitive information stored within the listing, including showing instructions that in the wrong hands can lead to burglary and other crime. Second, many of our members now store personal information about customers and clients in the MLS in the form of contact management and prospecting applications, and that information can be misused by someone else logging into your account. Third, as MLS organizations around the country explore integration options with transaction management systems and other data sensitive systems, the MLS becomes the front door to a host of consumer and financial information protected by federal legislation. The need to protect this information is urgent!

In the near future, NorthstarMLS will be implementing a proven security technology that has been in use by millions of people in the private industry and government for over a decade. This solution was researched at length by Clareity, a well-respected real estate consulting company. Several MLS vendors, including our current MLS vendor, are implementing this solution. In addition, this technology is being supported by many well known third party software vendors such as Wyldfyre and eNeighborhoods.

As this security initiative moves forward, NorthstarMLS will provide you with more detail information about how it will work, and how we as MLS members can appropriately protect access to the sensitive information entrusted to us.

If you have ever been interested in the great opportunities in North Minneapolis, let us drive you around. This is a rare bus tour where we will drive you around the areas, show you both rehabbed houses and for sale properties. The tour will leave at noon on Saturday, December 6, from nearby Robbinsdale and will take approximately 2-3 hours. We handle parking, finding the properties, and logistics. You simply sit back and listen and see how so many investors are taking advantage of these great deals. Because of limited seating, a reservation is required. Contact us now!

Register for the tour by filling out this quick registration form or call 612-281-5419 for more information.

Have you read all the books, bought all the tapes and watched all the infomercials, but still can’t seem to get started buying investment property? Attend this FREE one and a half hour seminar. There is no charge at all, no contracts you sign with us, no consultation fees, no hidden agenda. The seminar simply will be an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about our process and meet a team of investment real estate professionals that can hold your hand through the finding, financing, buying, renting and owning your first investment property.

Let our experience get you started!

Register for the seminar by filling out this quick registration form or call 612-281-5419 for more information.

Have you read all the books, bought all the tapes and watched all the infomercials, but still can’t seem to get started buying investment property? Attend this FREE one and a half hour seminar. There is no charge at all, no contracts you sign with us, no consultation fees, no hidden agenda. The seminar simply will be an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about our process and meet a team of investment real estate professionals that can hold your hand through the finding, financing, buying, renting and owning your first investment property.

Let our experience get you started!

Register for the seminar by filling out this quick registration form or call 612-281-5419 for more information.

NorthstarMLS has recently taken important steps to face a challenge that is prevalent in our entire industry – that of data security – and we wish to share information about this initiative with you, our subscriber. NorthstarMLS made it possible for you to access the MLS system from any computer with Internet connectivity. As a result, your ability to communicate with clients increased ten-fold. However, with this convenient method of access comes a big challenge – specifically protecting our valuable MLS data from misuse and theft.

While hackers are an ongoing challenge for the entire technology industry, our biggest threats are people and companies who shouldn’t have access to the MLS and are logging in with passwords they have either been given or have obtained through other unauthorized methods. Often, real estate professionals do not realize when they give out their login to one trusted person or company, that person may tell another, and eventually scores or even (in some documented cases) hundreds of people gain access. Even if a member never shares their password, it can be stolen or guessed. That risk can be somewhat reduced by using a very complex password and changing it often – but that’s difficult to do for most users, doesn’t fully solve the problem either, and typically results in the user writing the password down. Because of password sharing and theft, MLS organizations and MLS vendors have estimated between 10 and 25 percent of user logins are not legitimate dues paying members of the MLS.

Limiting access to the information behind the MLS login is important for many reasons. First, there is a lot of sensitive information stored within the listing, including showing instructions that in the wrong hands can lead to burglary and other crime. Second, many of our members now store personal information about customers and clients in the MLS in the form of contact management and prospecting applications, and that information can be misused by someone else logging into your account. Third, as MLS organizations around the country explore integration options with transaction management systems and other data sensitive systems, the MLS becomes the front door to a host of consumer and financial information protected by federal legislation. The need to protect this information is urgent!

In the near future, NorthstarMLS will be implementing a proven security technology that has been in use by millions of people in the private industry and government for over a decade. This solution was researched at length by Clareity, a well-respected real estate consulting company. Several MLS vendors, including our current MLS vendor, are implementing this solution. In addition, this technology is being supported by many well known third party software vendors such as Wyldfyre and eNeighborhoods.

As this security initiative moves forward, NorthstarMLS will provide you with more detail information about how it will work, and how we as MLS members can appropriately protect access to the sensitive information entrusted to us.

Wendesday, October 29th - 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Bloomington, MN

This is a FREE all day workshop designed for the new and seasoned investor.
This event will feature a full panel of experts in the area of financing, tax, law, 1031 exchanges, financial planning, rental management, insurance and much much more. You will leave this day will real tools to integrate into your investment plan as well as some excellent profesional contacts for your rolodex. Six hours of real estate continuing education have also been applied for.

Featured speakers will be as follows:
Rob Bonahoom Mortgage Coach
Greg Nelson CPA
Jeff Peterson 1031 Specialist
Matt Engel - Attorney
Adam Hartung - Certified Financial Planner Brent Mohlenhoff - Insurance Nina Haugen - Rental Management Bruce Zimmerman - Rent Collection Peter Fanucci - Credit Lines

Register for the seminar by filling out this quick registration form or call 612-281-5419 for more information.

Topic: How to reduce your taxes by owning investment real estate.
Maybe you don’t own any investment property, but have heard about the tax benefits of owning investment real estate. Otherwise, maybe you own a property or two, but don’t feel like you are getting all the tax shelters that you can. Our CPA, Greg Nelson, will be explaining how to organize your business and yourself to maximize your tax deductions easily and quickly. He will talk about how to take advantage of the tax shelter even if you “make too much money” to claim much or any depreciation.

Come see how to write more off and put more money each year in your pocket.

Register for the seminar by filling out this quick registration form or call 612-281-5419 for more information.

Have you always wanted to own investment property, but never knew where to start?  Attend this FREE one and a half hour seminar. There is no charge at all, no contracts you sign with us, no consultation fees, no hidden agenda. The seminar simply will be an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about our process and meet a team of investment real estate professionals that can hold your hand through the finding, financing, buying, renting and owning your first investment property.

Let us help you get started!

Register for the seminar by filling out this quick registration form or call 612-281-5419 for more information.

Recently, the Minnesota MLS has upgraded the email system to a much more robust application.  Now the emails allow you to:

• sort the listed columns.
• save favorites and discard properties.
• see properties as they fall outside of your search criteria.
• identify MLS properties that have recently changed in price.

Essentially, you are keeping your own running list of MLS properties that you can work on and update.  Give it a try sometime.  I am sure you will like it!

There will be no system down time for this update.

What action do you need to take?  None.  Your customers will automatically have access to the new portal through any Matrix listing emails you send them after the update (either directly or through auto-email).  Emails sent before the update will continue to use the old interface.

The new Portal is very intuitive and easy to use.  But for those customers wanting help, there is a help icon (question mark) on the Portal.  It contains Help files for working with Direct Emails (click here for help document) and Auto-Emails (click here for help document).

For more information on the Portal, including how you can watch over your client’s shoulder from the Contacts for Email History section of My Matrix, click here for the version 2.2 documentation and see pages 9-10.