VBR Tools & Resources
Support Lines
For assistance with MLS, MLS Touch App, Tech Helpline, ShowingTime or Sentrilock, please use the contact information below.
Flexmls Support:
- Email: support@fbsdata.com
- Phone: 888-525-4747
(7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. MTN, Monday - Friday)
Tech Helpline:
- Phone: 866-619-8170
Sentrilock Support:
- Phone: 877-736-8745
ShowingTime & InfoSparks:
- Phone: 800-379-0057
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday - E-mail: showings@showingtime.com
- Web: http://www.showingtime.com
VBR's Weekly Updates
Stay updated with VBR's weekly newsletter. Below is the most recent edition. We also have an archive from the past year.
July 22: Updated VMLS Bylaws & Rules. New Colorado Forms & Contracts. Upcoming classes & events.
New Colorado contracts August 1st. Importance of MLS safety fields. NAR meets with Dept of Justice. 7/1/2024
May market stats. Educate sellers on compensation. New affiliate directory. Volunteer in community. 6/10/2024
March market stats. Have the "value" conversation. Eagle County fraud notification. May classes. 4/15/2024
Mortgage rates steady. Surveys for open space and housing. Fair Housing Month fund drive. 4/8/2024
The importance of buyer agreements. Scam alert. Fair Housing Month. ABR class with CAR. 4/1/2024
Revised mortgage rate predictions. Updated videos on NAR settlement. Housing needs survey. 3/25/2024
NAR reaches agreement on home seller class action lawsuits. CAR's legislation update. 3/18/2024
February residential market stats. Membership Meeting. Fair Housing class. Avoiding tax scams. 3/11/2024
Existing home sales rise. Legislative call to action. Tax Year & URLs in Public Remarks. 3/4/2024
It's an Ethics year. Recognizing scam emails. Your CAR member benefits. Rent control op-ed piece. 1/3/2024
2023 Newsletters
Federally backed loans change. Talking points for Realtors. Desktop appraisals. Colorado Gives Day. 12/4/2023
October market stats. Dues billing. Special property tax session. REALTOR® & Affiliate of the Year. 11/13/2023
5 marketing horrors. Pending home sales up. Cyber Security checklist. Installation Celebration. 10/30/2023
3 free & easy marketing ideas. New ShowingTime layout. Avoid virtual staging fails. Short term rental feedback. Avoiding lawsuits if hacked. 7/24/2023
Existing home sales edge higher. Upcoming open Director positions. Avoid Smishing & Vishing. Classes & events. 6/26/2023
Clear Cooperation class. Helpful ChatGPT prompts. Data privacy duties. Online MLS training. 6/19/2023
REALFire lunch & learn. Homeowners seeing rise in property tax. Assigning Listing Contracts, Relationships & Commissions. 5/22/2023
NAR Settlement FAQ and Resources
On March 15, the National Association of REALTORS® announced an agreement to end litigation of claims brought on behalf of home sellers related to broker commissions.
The Vail Board of REALTORS® will continue sharing news and resources for our members.
You can get facts directly from NAR at facts.realtor. There are more great resources at the REALTORS® as Champions section of the competition.realtor website, including infographics you can reference, post and share:
Tools you can use!
Several helpful tools and resources can be found in the links below, like Commission updates, SentriLock one-day codes, and checking your Code of Ethics status with NAR.
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) offers a web resource with extensive information on competition in real estate. This was created to help REALTORS® and associations explain to Buyers and Sellers that REALTORS® work to ensure buyers and sellers have the greatest access, transparency, and choice through independent, local broker marketplaces that level the playing field for all types and sizes of brokerages.
The Vail Board of REALTORS® has a link to this page on its website, under "Why Use a REALTOR®." It is accessible to the public.
You can also find this information in the link below.
Competition in Real Estate resources.
The Clear Cooperation Policy has been in effect since 2019. However, some MLS participants are still scratching their heads about what Clear Cooperation is and why we have it.
This is why we've created tools to help members understand the Clear Cooperation Policy.
Click here for Clear Cooperation Policy info!
The goal of Clear Cooperation is to encourage and foster cooperation amongst brokers, which is the ultimate purpose of the MLS. Clear Cooperation also ensures all consumers have equal access to all properties available in the market to align with REALTORS®’ dedication to fair housing.
The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies has a helpful video and resources to help Brokers and clients spot potential real estate-related scams...and to help you stay safe and alert.
Click here for video and other resources.
Includes tips on recognizing and preventing title and wire fraud, rental and timeshare scams, predatory loans, and more.
VBR's Member Info Hub is now available to you to view classes and events, update and share your contact information, and access vital member resources.
Please "create an account" using the link below. You will use your email address (use the address on file with the VBR) and choose your own password.
New to using the Member Info Hub? Click here for instructions on using the Hub - including updating contact information, bio, photos, or logos.
NOTE FOR REALTORS®: The VBR account is separate from the MLS account. Your MLS log-in info is still the same (vbr. followed by your number).
Members can now see their invoices in their own records. If your office typically pays your MLS fees, you should communicate with them before submitting a payment.
Once your account is created, you will use it to log into vbr.net "VBR Login", and you have access to:
- Easy-to-use affiliate directory that can be shared with clients.
- Domus analytics
- Full monthly market statistics
The Colorado Real Estate Commission adopted new position statements in mid-2022.
The Division of Real Estate determined that the Commission’s existing position statements didn’t reconcile with today’s real estate market or provide relevant practice guidance. Some statements were combined, split into separate position statements, or were repealed. Effective immediately, the Commission adopted recodified position statements CP 2 through CP 29.
Click here to read the CREC statements.
The Colorado Association of REALTORS® hosts a great video series with CAR General Counsel Scott Peterson. Click here or the image below to view videos.
The Colorado Office of Radon Professionals began regulating Radon Measurement Professionals and Radon Mitigation Professionals on July 1, 2022.
Consumers should hire a licensed professional in their area as part of the home inspection process, as a radon check is included in this safety inspection. This will ensure that proper measurement and/or mitigation is conducted.
Real Estate Brokers should be aware that a list of licensees is available at dpo.colorado.gov. Use the "Search a License" feature to locate licensee details, including any disciplinary actions taken against a radon professional.
You may also find additional information regarding the licensure of radon measurement professionals and radon mitigation professionals in this informational booklet. The booklet also is available in Spanish. Feel free to share the attached PDF with your colleagues and community partners.
Please send any inquiries not addressed in the informational booklet to dora_dpo_licensing@state.co.us. Thank you.
The National Association of REALTORS® provides a landing page to help real estate professionals to explain commissions. This can be shared with clients who have questions about the commission process.
Click here to see the commissions page.
From NAR:
"We have received questions about why brokers representing home sellers often pay the commission of brokers representing home buyers. Here are answers to those questions and basic information every buyer and seller needs to know.
This practice has worked so well for so long is because it provides the greatest economic benefits for both buyers and sellers, creates greater access and equity for first-time, low- and middle-income and all buyers and enables small business brokers to compete with larger brokers.
In fact, listing brokers paying the commission of buyer brokers underpins local broker marketplaces, which are the primary source of information for home search sites, and serve as the driving force behind America’s efficient and accessible real estate market."
The Division of Real Estate (Division or DORA) provides resources to those in the Colorado real estate marketplace who have questions to ensure their consumer protection is being met. This includes a collection of consumer protection resources designed to provide direction and guidance on common elements of buying a home in Colorado. Click here for more.
Click the image below to watch a special presentation with Cory Nicholson and Gary Kujawski of DORA. Cory and Gary discuss how brokers can best assist a buyer or seller in a real estate transaction involving an Home Owners Association (HOA).
Colorado Association of Realtors® (CAR) has recently created a Buyer Advisory and a Seller Advisory resource for members and consumers. This document was designed to assist a property owner in understanding many of the important documents and other considerations they will encounter before, during, and after the sales transaction. These documents are helpful tools that members can use.
Click to view the Buyer Advisory and the Seller Advisory.
The National Association of REALTORS®' Trademark Rules are designed to protect and promote the special meaning of the REALTOR® Marks, ensuring that the REALTOR® brand remains a valuable membership benefit. NAR's manual sets forth the trademark rules in detail to help members understand how to properly use the marks.
Click here for NAR's Membership Marks Manual.
REALTOR® and Appraiser members are required to complete Code of Ethics training once in a three-year cycle. This is a requirement of the National Association of REALTORS®.
The current cycle runs from January 1, 2022, ending on December 31, 2024.
The VBR is offering our classes for FREE to all members in 2021, including Ethics. There are also options available through VanEd.com, TheCEShop.com, and NAR.
Not sure if you need to take Ethics? You can check your status here.
Welcome Home Bags are great client gifts!
As a free benefit to all VBR REALTORS®, members who sell a home can pick up a bag to provide as a client gift for homebuyers. Please call 766-1028 to schedule a pick-up time.
Each cooler bag is full of quality items that can be used for activities in our community; a picnic blanket, set of wine tumblers, and a reusable Chico shopping tote. Thank you to our Affiliate sponsors; Collective Design Group, FirstBank, Title Company of the Rockies, Vacasa, Vail Management Company, and Walls + Floors/ The Paint Bucket for making this program possible.
We also offer links to helpful community resources on our Welcome Home Bag Resources page, such as info on local schools, energy saving programs, and more.
The National Association of Realtors® is committed to making housing fair for all. Fairhaven is an innovative training platform available to all NAR members at no additional cost. It's fair housing simulation training for REALTORS® that uses the power of storytelling to help members identify, prevent, and address discriminatory practices in real estate.
Visit the Fairhaven.realtor platform today!
Wondering how to use Domus Analytics? Need a refresher on Flexmls?
Click here for videos to help you make the best use of these products.
Also, check out the Flexmls Academy to learn what's new.
REALTOR® and Affiliate Benefits
What are your member benefits?
REALTORS® - as a member of VBR, you have National, State, and Local Realtor® membership. You are provided benefits and tools to enhance you both professionally and personally!
Affiliates - you qualify for promotional opportunities and other benefits, like discounted or free events. Please click here to learn more!
Put your safety first with a new, FREE app called SafeShowings.
Available to VBR members, SafeShowings deters criminal behavior and helps keep you safe while showing property.
Click here to get started today with SafeShowings!
The Vail MLS offers our members a FREE PROACTIVE SAFETY AND LEAD INTELLIGENCE service.
Quickly becoming the industry standard for safety and prospect intelligence, FOREWARN is a revolutionary application that allows agents to have instant due diligence on prospects. In seconds, with as little information as a phone number or name, VMLS members can verify a prospect’s identity, criminal records, bankruptcies, liens, judgments, address history and property records all in one place, leading to safer and more productive interactions.
This is not only critical for your personal safety and efficiency but also a benefit to your listing homeowners, providing an added layer of protection for their homes and families through your vetting of prospective buyers.
For more information about setting up your account click here.
Easily and affordably put a floor plan on every one of your listings, provide more service for your Sellers, and improve the home buying experience for Buyers.
FloPlan is available to all MLS members. Click here to get started with FloPlan!
In less time (about 10 minutes) and for less money (just $12) than it takes to get a burger and fries served to you in a restaurant, you can scan your listing and upload it. The next day, you’ll have a complete floor plan that you can email to your seller and instantly attach to the listing in our MLS. No extra equipment, expensive gadgets, time-consuming training or gimmicks.
Click here for the FloPlan learning center.
The VMLS Board reinstated one-day codes as a backup option for issues with the SentriConnect App, cell phone coverage, or other extenuating circumstances. After hearing the concerns of the members, the VBR and VMLS Board of Directors have approved to add back this feature.
Realtor®/Appraisers must continue to grant access to affiliates and unlicensed individuals such as contractors, inspectors, and photographers. The original reason for the change was because of liability risk to the Board by using the one-day codes. For example, if a member gives access to a person using a one-day code, and something happens during this time the person is in the property, or if the one-day code is shared with an unauthorized person. Since the VBR is providing the lockbox service, the liability could potentially fall to the association, because we would not have had a way to track who was in the property.
If members choose to use the one-day code feature, they are REQUIRED to input the first name, last name, and phone number of the person entering the property so that the MLS has the data needed for our liability. As part of the changes to the Rules and Regulations, a fee of $50 per occurrence will be issued to members who violate this requirement.
The SentriConnect Mobile App allows the listing agent to grant temporary access to their lockboxes that are assigned to a property for those who don't already have access like contractors, inspectors, and photographers. SentriConnect allows the listing agent to grant access to a specific lockbox for a specific duration of time and receive instant notifications of when the SentriConnect user accesses the lockbox.
Watch a video to learn more about SentriConnect.
How to use SentriConnect® (For Non-SentriLock subscribers)
How to grant SentriConnect® access with the SentriKey® Real Estate app.
