1/6/2012 Easy Steps for Complete Report of Office or Firm Listings

Here's how to run the list of current office or firm inventory of listings:

1. In Stratus, go to REPORTS tab

2. On left menu, go to Office inventory

3. Choose either Office or Firm

4. Choose Status (hold CTRL to select more than one)

5. Enter date range if needed

6. Sort by AGENT or STATUS

7. Click on SUBMIT

10/18/2011 Tech Training for All

Gone are the days when you can bring out pencil and paper at a listing presentation - todays seller EXPECTS and DESERVES a tech-savvy Realtor who can do the following:

Present detailed market statistics for their neighborhood in an easy to read chart format. How many listings are currently on the market in their price range? Average days on market? How many have sold? What is the absorption rate? Not sure how? Look for the ADVANCED STRATUS class.

Explain how their property will be marketed on the Internet and list the sites on which it will appear. Show them MLSLI.com, Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc. Not sure how? Look for STRATUS TOOLS TO MOTIVATE SELLERS class.

Promise the sellers detailed comps throughout the listing period (not just at the listing presentation) using Listingbook or a regular report via email. Not sure how? Look for LISTINGBOOK TOOLS class.

Promise top-notch communications via email and text including the ability to EMAIL all the appropriate MLS forms and disclosure forms etc. Not sure how? Look for TAKE YOUR DESK ON THE ROAD class.

Show how Facebook and other social networking tools will be included in the marketing process and allow them to participate in the marketing using Announce My Listing. Not sure how? Look for our FACEBOOK FOR REALTORS class.

EVERYONE needs more tech training!!!! LIBOR Technology Training offers a wide array of both hands-on and lecture style training at affordable rates, many of which include continuing education.

Register online at http://www.lirealtor.com/education

call LIBOR Customer Service at 631-661-4800 x21 (M-F; 9-5)

7/20/2011  Easy OPEN HOUSE Report with Date, Time and Notes

Easy OPEN HOUSE Report with Date, Time and Notes
For a detailed open house report, follow these steps:

1. From any page in Stratus, click on the SEARCH tab.

2. Select Pre-Defined, Open Houses, then CONTINUE

3. Select the TOWNS (use CTRL for more than one town).

4. Enter a date range (use From: T To: T+7 if you'll be saving the search to use daily)

5. Type a name for this search in the SAVE CRITERIA AS: box. Pull up this search in the future under USE SAVED CRITERIA

6. Click on SAVE.

7. Click on SUBMIT to see the detailed open house report. This report format can only be accessed through the Pre-Defined search function.

8. Click on SUBMIT

4/5/2011 Use Firefox AND IE to Open BOTH Old & New Stratus

1. Open the current Stratus in Internet Explorer
2. Open the new Stratus in Firefox (or Chrome, Safari)
3. You can be logged in to BOTH at the SAME TIME
4. Allows you to use Searching and Public Records in NEW Stratus
5. Use all other functions in OLD Stratus

We have many options for you to get a look at the

NEW Stratus System Phase 1 (Searching & Public Records only)

Free Recorded Webinar - 45 minutes

http://links.mlsstratus.com/tutorials/new-stratus-overview.htm

Free (3-4 minute) Recorded Tutorials available 24/7

http://www.mlstechs.com/video.html

3/2/2010 PHOTO GALLERY: scan many listings/all photos fast

Here's a great tip if you want to scan through a large number of listings and see all the property photos:

1. From the SEARCH RESULTS, choose the report format called PHOTO GALLERY

2. Once you are at the first listing, click on PRINT ALL LISTINGS to view the listings and their photos. (this doesn't automatically print - only if you go to FILE/PRINT)

3. Use the sroll bar to view the many listings quickly - you don't even have to print them!

2/1/2010 Unlimited Toll Free E-Faxing on Your Instanet Account

Are you currently PAYING for an e-fax program??? Your Instanet account (ALL LIBOR members with MLS access have an individual account! Just click on the GO GREEN icon on the Stratus Info Center) can be used for TOLL-FREE unlimited inbound and outbound e-faxing of any paperwork - not just MLS forms, but other documents, contracts, photos, mortgage approvals, attorney letters, inspection reports, etc. Click here to view the training webinar

For OUTBOUND faxes, you can send scanned documents or documents already on your pc. If the document requires a signature, you can include a fax-back cover sheet that has a bar code identifying your account. You can email the documents with the fax-back cover sheet as well.

For INBOUND faxes, you can e-mail/print a special cover sheet to be used by the person sending you a fax. The fax will go directly into your DocBox on Instanet, or your transaction folder on Instanet if you have set one up.

10/16/2009 Special Stratus URL for BLKBERRY-iPHONE-PALM etc

 
To access Stratus on your Blackberry, iPhone, Palm Pre or Treo or other smartphone such as the Motorola Q, LG enV2, Sidekick, Samsung Jack ETC.

you need to use the mobile address:

http://unplugged.mlsstratus.com

(If you have an iPhone, Blackberry Bold or other phone with a full Browser, you can use either the mobile URL or the standard URL.... however, there are some issues with searching for listings on regular Stratus with the iPhone and the Palm Pre. The Unplugged Stratus works fine)

4/3/2009 How to Find Foreclosures & Short Sales

Use the FLEX search to find listings in foreclosure or short sale

1. Select FLEX from the Search menu

2. Click the down arrow at the "select item from list below"

3. Choose the appropriate field name

REO = Y to search for foreclosures

or

Short Sale = Y to search for short sales

4. click the down arrow AGAIN at "select item from list below" and choose zip, town, zone or county to add a location to the search

5. Click on COUNT to see number of listings found

6. Click on SUBMIT to view listings

questions? e-mail customerservice@mlsli.com

or call MLS Customer Service at 631-661-4800 x11

need more training? click here for Stratus class schedule

http://lirealtor.com/education/contedclass.aspx

2/23/2009 Fax & E-Mail MLS Forms on Instanet - No Charge

Use the INSTANTET ONLINE FORMS product to save $$$, work more efficiently and begin the transition to a PAPERLESS and GREEN business! To access the forms: 

1. Go to Stratus ADD/EDIT

2. On the left side menu, click the link for Instanet Online Forms

3. Click on the CLICK HERE next to the Instanet logo

4. If it's your first time opening Instanet, you will be required to accept the terms and conditions and run a "pre-flight" system check to make sure your computer has all that's needed for Instanet. Follow their recommendations.

5. At the Instanet main page, click on Work With Individual Forms

6. Click on the "+" sign next to MLS Long Island to see the list of forms.

7. Select the form you would like to use, then on the right side, click on CREATE NEW FORM

8. The form will open and fields can be completed by clicking with your mouse and typing in the box.

9. Use the icons at the top to PRINT, FAX or E-MAIL forms for signature

CONSIDER TAKING ONE OF THE INSTANET CLASSES OR WEBINARS TO LEARN MANY MORE POWERFUL FEATURES OF THIS PROGRAM!

Click here for LIBOR CE class schedule

12/16/2008 BROKERS! Terminate/Change Agents on eAccessNY

In preparation for the LIBOR annual dues collection, it is essential that you go online to the DOS eAccess NY website to terminate agents who no longer work for you and add new agents who have begun. LIBOR will use the DOS rosters for billing. Here are some basic instructions:

TO TERMINATE AN AGENT WHO NO LONGER WORKS FOR YOU

1. Go to http://dos.state.ny.us

2. Click on link for eAccessNY

3. Follow instructions for login (User ID is your e-mail addr, temporary passwords were sent by e-mail from DOS)

a. If you don’t have a temporary password, you must click the link for another (LIBOR does NOT know your password)

b. For other issues we recommend reading the Frequently Asked Questions

4. After login, click on List of Licenses (these are your OFFICE Licenses)

5. Select your office

6. Click on the agent’s name on the list

7. Check the box “I wish to terminate…”

8. Click on Request Termination

9. Click Return

10. Scroll down to bottom of page and click “Complete Terminate Association”

11. Click the box next to agent’s name

12. Click Next

13. Click Pay Now

14. Enter all payment info using Mastercard or Visa credit card ONLY

15. Click Submit

16. PRINT this page for your records AND fax a copy to LIBOR at 631-661-8136

17. Click Return to go back to the License Menu

TO CHANGE ASSOCIATION FOR AN AGENT WHO JUST STARTED WORKING FOR YOU

1. Go to http://dos.state.ny.us

2. Click on link for eAccessNY

3. Read and Follow instructions for login

4. After login, click on List of Licenses (these are your OFFICE Licenses)

5. Select your office

6. Click on Change Association

7. Click on ADD

8. Enter the agent’s license number

9. If you don’t have license number (return to eAccess main page and do a public search by name)

10. Click on Lookup

11. Select your office

12. Click on ADD

13. Click on ACCEPT

14. Click Pay NOW

15. Enter credit card information

16. Click Submit

17. Review confirmation page

a. PRINT this page for your records AND fax a copy to LIBOR at 631-661-8136

If you have problems with eAccessNY, you must

call DOS at 518-474-4429 x17. The Real Estate Unit hours are Monday to Friday 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4:45 pm.

You may also e-mail them at eAccessNY@dos.state.ny.us. Please include your cellphone number in the e-mail (e-mail responses from DOS are currently running approximately 3 weeks behind - it might help to write "NYSAR" in the subject line).

DOS PHONE 518-474-4429 x17

DOS FAX (518) 473-6648.

Mailing address for DOS is as follows:

NYS Department of State
Division of Licensing Services
P.O. Box 22001
Albany, NY 12201-2001

9/17/2008 Open MAP to Your Area & Preferred Zoom Level

The new Stratus MAPS are an excellent way for both new agents and experienced agents to get a VISUAL overview of the market in your area.

To be most effective, you'll want the map to open to your exact area. Normally it opens to your OFFICE location, but you may want to adjust this. Here's how:

1. From Stratus INFO CENTER, click on Search
2. Select MAP SEARCH, click continue
3. Once map opens, wait for properties to be located.
4. Once search is complete, type in the zip code you want the map to open to in the LOCATION box on the left side
5. Use the PLUS and MINUS (or scrollwheel on mouse) to zoom in to your area
6. Now that the map is centered on your area, click on the SET AS DEFAULT LOCATION button.
7. From this point on, map will always open to that view.
8. If you've been searching another area and want to return to your area, just click GO TO DEFAULT LOCATION.

for assistance with the maps, contact Customer Service at 631-661-4800 x11 or e-mail them at customerservice@mlsli.com

Stratus Training course schedule: http://www.mlsli.com/contedclass.cfm

6/3/2008 Renewing Your License? Check LIBOR CE Credits Now

You can now log directly into the Internet Member Services (IMS) system to update key membership information such as:

• e-mail address (used on Stratus, MLSLI, Realtor.com)
• website address (used on Stratus, MLSLI, Realtor.com)
• mail/e-mail/phone/fax preferences
• home address (soon to be required by NAR)
• JUST ADDED March 2008 - check EDUCATION HISTORY 
  (LIBOR courses only - Other Schools Not Included)
• Register for EDUCATION CONFERENCE 2008
   

click here to log in:  Internet Member Services
or click on the RED "Manage My Account" box on Info Center

Step 1:  read terms of use and click accept
Step 2:  enter your Logon ID (LIBOR member #)
             and Stratus password (NOTE: if you have a very long password, type the entire password even though it looks like it won't accept all the characters)
Step 3:  click SUBMIT
Step 4:  click on Personal Information
Step 5:  remove incorrect information, type new information
Step 6:  Scroll to bottom, click SUBMIT
(note:  e-mail address changes will show on Stratus NEXT DAY) 

1/11/2008 Use "Today's Listings" Feature for Quick Daily Updates

The "Today's Listings" feature of Stratus allows you to have fast notification of new listings and listing changes in your market area throughout the day. At midnight each day, the "Today's Listings" function is cleared and all numbers are returned to zero, for the new day to start. Here's how to set it up:

9/19/2007 Upload Your Agent Photo to Get Your Sentrilock ID

All LIBOR members who want to use the Sentrilock system to access properties are required to have a Sentrilock photo ID.  To get your ID you need to upload a photo to Stratus using these instructions:

1.  Have someone take your photo with a digital camera set to 
225 x 330 pixels (e-mail size).  Load photo on to your PC - save as a .jpg file

2.  Log in to Stratus, click on Customize My Stratus

3.  Scroll to Agent Photo section, click BROWSE

4.  Find photo on your PC, highlight and click OPEN

5.  File name will appear in box

6.  Scroll to bottom of page - click SAVE (VERY IMPORTANT)

7.  This will automatically trigger the request for your new Sentrilock Photo ID Card.  It will be mailed to your OFFICE in approximately 3 weeks.

If you have questions, e-mail customerservice@mlsli.com or call 631-661-4800 x11

7/19/2007 Use LOG OFF Before Closing Browser

It is VERY important to click LOG OFF when you are finished using Stratus - instead of just closing the Internet Explorer window with the "X".

5/30/2007 How to Use the CLONE Feature of ADD / EDIT

Here's a great TIME SAVER: If you have a new listing for a property that was listed on MLS previously, Stratus can easily copy all the property characteristics to the new listing's worksheet. Stratus will not copy listing specific fields such as Listing Price, Listing Date, Expiration Date, and you will need to carefully review all copied fields for accuracy. Here are a few scenarios on when you might use "CLONE"

1. You are listing a property that expired last month or sold last year.

2. You are entering similar newly built properties in a development (Note: only use this if the first listing entered was not linked to the public record because CLONE will copy over the public record link and cannot be changed)

3. You have 10 co-ops to enter into MLS, and they are nearly identical in property characteristics IMPORTANT: see MLS Rule 605.3 for rules regarding re-listing an active MLS listing. Instructions for how to clone a listing:

1. Look up the ML# for the previous listing that you are cloning.

2. Select the Add/Edit tab at the top of any Stratus page.

3. At Add/Edit Options, click Clone Existing Listing

4. At ML#, enter the ML# of the original listing, click Continue

5. Stratus creates a new worksheet with data filled from the existing listing. Review entries on all pages and make required changes.

6. Enter data in empty fields (listing price, remarks, etc.)

7. If the worksheet is incomplete and you need to finish it later, click Save Worksheet. Click ok If the listing is complete and all information is accurate, click on Submit Listing.

NOTE: Public (MLS) Listings can be cloned as public (MLS) listings only. Private (exclusive) listings can be cloned as private (exclusive) listings only.

For information on this Stratus Tip or for any questions on how to use Stratus, call MLS Customer Service M-F 9-5 at 631-661-4800 x11 or e-mail them at customerservice@mlsli.com

3/12/2007 Listings Under Contract? Closed? Check INVENTORY

There's an EASY way to check your entire OFFICE INVENTORY to verify accuracy of status - available? under contract? closed? contract cancelled? Keep Stratus updated! Listings can then be included in Market Share reports and will be available as comps when sold.

1/24/2007 Are You Purchasing a Computer or Electronics Soon?

Save $$$$ ! LIBOR has put in place Member Benefit Purchasing Programs with two technology providers - CompUSA and CDW - for LIBOR Members when purchasing computers, printers, electronics, software, digital cameras and much more.

CompUSA offers LIBOR Members an online website to take advantage of corporate discount pricing as well as an instore program where you can show your LIBOR ID card and get a discount in the store.

CDW's online LIBOR Member website provides one stop shopping for all of your personal and business technology needs.

Click Here for all the details and links to CompUSA and CDW

1/10/2007 Know Your Market - Run UPDATE Daily

Everyone knows how important it is to stay on top of what's happening in your market area - new listings, price changes, contracts, closings. This information shows on Stratus daily under "Today's Listings", but at midnight that all reverts back to zero and you may have missed a critical change. Run a Stratus UPDATE each day or so to be sure you don't miss a thing. Stratus will remember when you ran your last update - so if you take a day off or go on vacation, you can be sure all changes are included.

11/1/2006 E-Mail Latest Sales Data to Sellers

It's critical to keep your sellers informed of market changes and local sales activity during the term of the listing contract. Consider periodically e-mailing sales data of comparable listings to spur discussion of pricing and possible price changes. Here are the instructions for e-mailing sales data

1. Select SEARCH, QUICK SEARCH, RES, UNAVAILABLE
2. Enter a town or towns, a sold price range and title date range (t-30 would give you the last month)
3. Enter other criteria such as style, bedrooms if needed
4. Click on SUBMIT
5. Review listings and check off best comparables
6. Click on E-MAIL listings at the bottom of the page
7. Enter sellers e-mail address, check box to copy yourself
8. Customize text on subject line and body of e-mail
9. Choose CONSUMER FULL or other report format
10. Click SEND

 

For questions on this Stratus function or other functions, contact MLS Customer Service at customerservice@mlsli.com or call 631-661-4800 x11 Monday thru Friday 9 - 5.

For suggestions or comments on Stratus Tips, e-mail boconnor@mlsli.com

9/15/2006 Let Stratus Calculate Average Sales Price

Put that calculator away! Let Stratus calculate the average sales price for a group of similar comps. Here's how:

8/8/2006 Calculating Average Days on the Market (DOM)

Use the Stratus "Statistics and Counts" function to calculate the average days on the market for properties in your area that are in contract or closed.

Days on the Market is calculated by counting the number of days from LISTING DATE to CONTRACT DATE.

Follow these steps:

1. Use any SEARCH method to find UNAVAILABLE properties in contract or sold. Here's how to do it in QUICK SEARCH

- Quick Search, Residential, Unavailable

- Select towns OR a zone

- enter a CONTRACT DATE range (e.g. 1/1/06 - 6/15/06)

- under the field name LSC, choose UC and CL

- click on SUBMIT

2. Once you reach the SEARCH RESULTS page, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on STATISTICS AND COUNTS

3. In the top statistics box, the last item on the list is Days on the Market, with a mean, median and mode calculations. (Tip: here's a great website to help with those definitions that we can't remember from 8th Grade Math! http://www.math.com - click on glossary!)

For questions or problems with these or any other Stratus functions, e-mail customerservice@mlsli.com or call 631-661-4800 x11

For suggestions or comments on Stratus Tips, e-mail boconnor@mlsli.com

5/4/2006 Managers: Check Office Roster for LIBOR Data

Important Message for Brokers and Managers:

MANY OF YOUR AGENTS DO NOT HAVE AN E-MAIL LINK ON STRATUS AND MAY BE MISSING LEADS FROM MLSLI.COM! You can check the LIBOR roster of agents and administrative staff in the Realtors Only section. Here you can see which of your agents have an e-mail address on file at LIBOR for Stratus.

3/17/2006 Are You Missing LEADS? Update Your E-Mail Address

Why does LIBOR/MLS need your current e-mail address?????

....SO THAT CONSUMERS AND OTHER REALTORS CAN CONTACT YOU ABOUT YOUR LISTINGS !

All listings in Stratus and on MLSLI.com have a link to the listing agent's e-mail as well as the co-agent's e-mail address. If we have no e-mail on file for you, YOU MAY BE MISSING OUT ON A POTENTIAL LEAD! Newsday reported last week that 80% of buyers begin their search on the INTERNET!

PLEASE check "Customize My Stratus" TODAY to be sure we have your current e-mail address.

1. From the Info Center, click on the "Customize My Stratus" link on the LEFT side of the page

2. SCROLL to the lower part of Customize My Stratus until you see your CURRENT E-MAIL address. If it is missing or incorrect, type your e-mail address. Remember that e-mail addresses NEVER have a "www" in them. LIBOR/MLS staff will copy your e-mail address exactly as you give it, so BE CAREFUL!

3. After typing it in, SCROLL all the way to the bottom of the page and click save. It can take up to TWO business days for the new e-mail address to show on your listings.

If you have comments or suggestions about this tip, please e-mail boconnor@mlsli.com

2/28/2006  Fixing "Multiple Browser Window" Problems

Try these troubleshooting steps if you frequently get the message "This portion of Stratus MLS cannot be run in multiple browser windows" when logging on or working in Stratus

Solution 1: Clear out your "CACHED" files in Internet Explorer

1. From Internet Explorer, go to TOOLS, INTERNET OPTIONS
2. Click on SETTINGS
3. Make sure "EVERY VISIT TO THE PAGE" is selected. Click OK
4. Click on the DELETE FILES button
5. Check the box next to "Delete all OFFLINE content", Click OK
6. Click OK, then close Internet Explorer
7. Re-open Internet Explorer, then try Stratus again.

Solution 2 Turn off Pop-Up Blocker in Norton Antivirus Software

For full instructions visit http://www.mlstechs.com

1/18/2006  Use CONSUMER Reports at Open Houses & Showings

When printing listings to leave for consumers at Open Houses, in the office lobby, for mailings to consumers, after showings, etc. it is recommended that you use the CONSUMER printouts, rather than the BROKER printouts.

CONSUMER printouts give all important details, but do not include listing office contact information, broker remarks, commission information intended only to be seen by Realtors.
Here's how to print CONSUMER reports:

1. At the SEARCH RESULTS page, scroll to the bottom where you see REPORT FORMATS.

2. OPEN the drop-down list of REPORT FORMATS and highlight the CONSUMER version, for example CONSUMER FULL.

3. Click on the VIEW button, just above the REPORT FORMAT list.

4. To PRINT the CONSUMER report, find the PRINT button at the top to bring up a print view window. This will bring up a black and white version (with a color photo) suitable for printing.

5. For more instructions and assistance, consult the Stratus HELP feature found at the top right corner of every Stratus page or call LIBOR/MLS Customer Service at 631-661-4800 x21
Mon-Fri 9-5.

12/22/2005  How to E-MAIL a CMA to a Consumer

1. After completing your CMA, go to the "Presentation Contents" page.
2. Check off the pages of the CMA you would like to send.
3. Click on SAVE CMA at the bottom of the page if you have not done so recently.
4. Click on E-MAIL CMA at the bottom of the page.
5. Enter the e-mail address you wish to send the CMA to. Multiple e-mail addresses should be separated by a comma.
6. Check off the box to e-mail yourself a copy (it will go to your "preferred e-mail address" as defined under Customize My Stratus)
7. Personalize the subject line and message as desired.
8. Click SEND - confirmation will appear

TIP: Try sending a sample CMA to yourself before sending it to a consumer. Familiarize yourself with how it looks.

11/22/2005  How to Set Up Showing Time Button for Your Listings

Thousands of showing appointments are being made online to save time and capture leads. Since June 1st, 60 more offices in MLSLI have turned on Showing Assist making a total of 446 offices using Showing Assist.

Click here for an online tutorial to see how it works.

10/11/2005  Attach Documents To Your Listings via FAX

Save yourself time & phone calls by attaching documents to your listings in Straus via your fax machine. Attach Agency Disclosure, Lead Paint Disclosure, Floor Plan, Survey and Property Condition Disclosures.

Once you fax your document, it is automatically attached to your listing. When other agents display your listing, they can view the attached documents - saving phone calls and time.

For complete instructions and illustrations, click here.

9/15/2005  How to Extend Your CMA Expiration Date

CMA's you have created have an expiration date of 90 days. If you have not used your CMA at all for 90 days it will be deleted from Stratus.

Here are steps to check the expiration and extend the expiration:
1. Click the CMA tab from any Stratus screen
2. Click USE EXISTING CMA on the left menu
3. A list of your CMA's will appear with the number of days left until deletion
4. To extend that date, click the CMA you wish to extend
5. Once the CMA is opened, click SAVE CMA.
6. Return to the list of existing CMA's to see that the expiration has been changed to 90 days.
 

8/4/2005  Do We Have Your CURRENT E-Mail Address?

Consumers often send e-mail to Realtors while visiting MLSLI.com. MLSLI publishes your preferred e-mail address on your listings. Your e-mail address is also published under the FIND A REALTOR function of MLSLI.com. MAKE SURE WE HAVE YOUR CURRENT E-MAIL ADDRESS by following these steps:

1. From the Stratus Info Center page, click on CUSTOMIZE MY STRATUS on the left side section.
2. SCROLL down the page until you see the "Preferred E-Mail Address" section.
3. If your current e-mail adress is showing, then you don't need to do anything further and can return to the Info Center.
4. If you have a different e-mail address, type it in the box provided. Make sure to type it in correctly: name@place.com for example. There should be no "www" or "http://" in an e-mail address.
5. After typing in the current e-mail address, SCROLL to the bottom of the page and click on SAVE.
6. Allow 24 hours for the new e-mail address to appear on your listings on mlsli.com or under "Find a Realtor".

6/29/2005 How to See a Larger Property Photo

Recent enhancements now allow you to view any property photo on Stratus in a larger format.

1. SIMPLY click on any property photo once for the '9-on-a-page' view.

2. Click on any property photo from this view to see it even BIGGER!

6/3/2005  Calculate How Much Home Your Buyer Can Afford

Often a buyer will give you a top figure of what they can afford to pay each month for their mortgage. Using the Mortgage Calculator function called "How Much Home Can I Afford", you can enter that monthly sum and calculate a price they can afford.

1. Click on the FINANCIAL tab from any page in Stratus
2. Click on Mortgage Calculator
3. SCROLL to the bottom of the page, click on the button for " How Much Home Can I Afford"
4. The fields will change to allow you to enter a monthly amount, down payment, mortgage rate and length.
5. Enter the monthly mortgage payment the buyer can afford - Do not include TAXES
6. Enter the down payment amount
7. Enter the current mortgage rate (as a percentage)
8. Enter the mortgage length in years
9. Click on COMPUTE
The fields below will now show how much home they can afford at that monthly mortgage payment.

5/3/2005  Add Stratus to Your TRUSTED SITES!

For full Stratus functionality, you must add it to your Trusted Sites list in Internet Explorer following the steps below:

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Click on the Tools menu
3. Select Internet Options
4. Click on the Security tab
5. Highlight the Trusted Sites zone
6. Click on the Sites Button
7. In the Trusted sites dialog box, type *.mlsstratus.com in the box that says Add this web site to the zone
8. Click add
9. Remove the check from the section which says Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone.
10. Click OK to close the Trusted sites dialog box
11. Click OK again to close the Internet Options dialog box.

3/30/2005  Small Photo on Search Results Page

You can display a small property photo of each listing on the search results page. Here's how to set it up:

1. From the Stratus Info Center, click on Customize My Stratus, found on the left panel.

2. Scroll down the Customize My Stratus page, to just below the "preferred e-mail" box, to the line that reads

"Show thumbnails with search results".

3. Check this box.

4. Scroll all the way to the bottom and click on SAVE.

5. You will now see photos on your search results page.

3/14/2005  What Will You Do if You Lose Your Address Book?

Use the CONTACTS function in Stratus to store all of the names, addresses and phone numbers currently in your portable address book. Too many to enter? Consider hiring a student over February break and get it done quickly and inexpensively!

To begin, click on the contacts tab from any Stratus page and type your contact information - enter as little or as much information as you want - only a name is required. Click on save when that contact is completed. Start building your valuable database today!!!!

Listed below are some of the benefits of using this function:
1. Addresses can be categorized, downloaded and used in a mailing program such as Word Mail Merge to print labels, postcards, letters and more.
2. You have access to your contact address and phone book from any computer anywhere in the world!
3. Your data is kept confidential - other agents cannot see your contacts. They will stay with you if you ever change offices.
4. Stratus has many levels of protection so that you won't lose your data if your computer crashes or there's a hurricane in Babylon. Or, if you lose your paper address book or Palm - no problem as long as that data is in Stratus contacts.
5. Activites stored in contacts as "To Do", "Scheduled", "Hold" or "Completed" will appear on your personal Stratus Calendar on the date you choose - great way to set automatic reminders for yourself.

To learn more, click on the Help button on any Stratus page, or register for "Power Listing with CMA and Other Stratus Tools" (Stratus CMA) at LIBOR.

2/8/2005  Use FLEX search for more than one property class

If you have occasion to search for more than one property class at a time (residential, condo/co-op, rental, commercial, land), use the FLEX search.

1. Click the Search tab from any page of Stratus
2. Select FLEX as the search type
3. Check off the property class boxes desired for the search
4. Select available, unavailable or both
5. Click on Continue
6. Open the drop down list at "Select an item from the list below"
7. Highlight the first data field needed your search
8. Choose the criteria desired for your first field
9. Open the drop down list at "Select an item..." again
10. Highlight the second data field needed for your search
11. Choose the criteria desired for your second field
12. Review all Search Criteria in lower section of the page
13. Click Count or Submit to find listings

1/11/2005  Finding Properties Closed Between 1991 and 2002

To find a property that closed through MLS between the years 1991 and 2002, you must search through the archive that is separate from the current database. TIP: This can be a great way to find a quick property photo to use until you are able to get new photos uploaded.
Using QUICK SEARCH, follow these steps:

1. Select Residential, Unavailable
2. Click on the ARCHIVE check box that appears below MLS/Private.
3. Click on CONTINUE
4. Choose a TOWN (you are limited to ONE town when searching in the archive)
5. Enter a Title Date range OR a Street Name to further narrow your search. Other criteria can be used as well. Keep in mind that the archive contains closings all the way back to 1991, so you will want to limit your search with additional criteria.
6. Click COUNT before submitting your search. If you get too many listings, click CANCEL and edit your criteria

12/21/2004  How to Enter Status Changes: Contracts, Closings, etc.

You can change the contract status of your own offices' listings with Status Change. Stratus tracks status changes in History. Use the Status Change option to enter Under Contracts, Closings, Contracts Cancelled, Withdrawn/Releases, and Rented. (Make all other changes, including Price Changes and Extensions, through Edit Listing.)

Here are the steps to follow for entering Status Changes in Stratus:

Select the Add/Edit tab at the top of any Stratus page.

At Add/Edit Options, click Status Change.

At ML #, enter the ML# of the existing listing, then click Continue.

Select the new Status from the drop-down list.

Enter information at all required fields. Important tip: to enter the selling office, type in the first few letters of the office name, then click on TAB. Open the drop down box to see the list of offices matching the letters you typed. Click on the correct selling office. If the selling office is not listed, return to the first selling office box and try typing in a different spelling, tab over and open the list once again.

Click Submit Listing.

At the confirmation screen, click Continue to return to Add/Edit.

11/17/2004  Tech Fair Presentations Now Posted

All Tech Fair 2004 Presentations have been posted to the MLS Tech Support Website.

To view them, click on the "Tech Support" tab at the bottom of the Info Center page. Then, click on the "Tech Fair" button on the left side menu. You will see links to each of the Tech Fair presentations in 2004, 2003 and 2002.

You can also visit the MLS Tech Support website by going to this URL: www.mlstechs.com

10/19/2004  Enhancement Archive Shows New Stratus Features

New features and enhancements to current Stratus functions are introduced on a regular basis. After the change is announced on the Stratus pop-up, the information is stored on the archive. To view the list of recent enhancements with instructions:

1. From the Stratus Info Center, click on Enhancement Archives found on the right section of the page under Info Center Options. Click Here to see Enhancement Archive now.

2. Scroll through the list to find the enhancement you're interested in. Each includes links to the instructions and futher information.

8/25/2004  Send current agent/office E-MAIL ADDRESSES to LIBOR

Use the "Radius Search" method to locate both available and unavailable properties on a MAP.

Please check your current e-mail address on file with LIBOR membership by following these steps:

1. Click on Search Members on the right side of Stratus Info Center

2. Type in Last name, then SUBMIT

3. Note the e-mail address on the one line report, OR click on the blue NUMBER link on the far left of each agent's name for further details.

4. If the e-mail address is incorrect, send an e-mail immediately to: libormem@mlsli.com. Wait 2 business days to see if the change has been made in Stratus.

5. To enter or change your OFFICE e-mail address (very important for the new Showing Time program), click on SEARCH OFFICES on the right side of the Stratus Info Center page. Follow the same instructions above to check on your office's e-mail address or send a correction to LIBOR membership at libormem@mlsli.com.

6/8/2004  Find Listings Using the Map Function

Use the "Radius Search" method to locate both available and unavailable properties on a MAP.

1. Select "Search" tab from any page in Stratus

2. Select "Radius Search", class and status, then continue.

3. Once the map of Long Island loads, scroll down to the lower right part of the page and enter the ZIP code of the town you'd like to search. After typing the zip code, click on LOCATE. Once you do this the map will be zoomed in to the center of that zip code.

4. Choose any criteria you want for your search on the upper left section of the page. This is not required.

5. Decide how large a radius (or circle) you want around the center point. Click that distance on the lower left section of the page.

6. Click on SUBMIT to find listings within that radius.

7. From the Search Results page, click on STREET MAP at the top of the search results to see the properties plotted on the map. Place your mouse pointer over each colored circle to see property details on the right panel.

5/4/2004  Use "My Links" for Quick Access to Do Not Call website

Adding a link to the government's Do Not Call website will allow you to quickly look-up a phone number from Stratus. Follow these steps:

1. From the Info Center, click on Customize My Stratus (found on the left side of the Info Center)

2. Scroll to the lower part of the screen to the section where you can enter URL's (website addresses) that will link to important websites from the Stratus Info Center,

3. In one of the available boxes, enter the URL for Do Not Call as follows: http://www.telemarketing.donotcall.gov. It must be entered exactly, or the link won't work. In the website name box, label this link with Do Not Call.

4. Scroll to the bottom of the Customize My Stratus page and click on SAVE. Then test your link by clicking on the Do Not Call text on the lower right corner of the Info Center.

5. For instructions on how to register for Do Not Call data as a Realtor (it's free to register and look up phone numbers), visit the Realtors Only page at: http://www.mlsli.com/ro/donotcall.cfm

4/20/2004  How to E-Mail Stratus Financial Reports

Sending any of the Stratus financial reports as an attachment to an e-mail is a snap. Follow these steps:
1. Click on the FINANCIAL tab from any page in Stratus (it's between Contacts and Public Records)

2. Select one of the reports you'd like to create and send. Seller Net Proceeds, Buy v. Rent, Mortgage Qualifier, etc.

3. Fill in the boxes for that report to generate the information. Before clicking on SUBMIT, make sure you have the PRINT view chosen (you don't want the display view)

4. After SUBMITTING and getting the print view, go to EDIT/SELECT ALL on the print view window. After the text is highlighted, go to EDIT/COPY. Then close this print view, and minimize Stratus.

5. Open Microsoft Word. On a blank document, go to EDIT/PASTE to put the report on a Word Document.

6. Go to FILE/SAVE AS to save this on your own computer to e-mail later. Make note where it has been saved (My Documents? Desktop?)

7. Back in Stratus (which you minimized), go to My-Email, and then to COMPOSE. Type the client or customer's e-mail address, enter a subject line, and type a message. Scroll to the lower section of the screen to the attachment area. Click on BROWSE. Find your saved financial document, click open. Then, click ATTACH and scroll down to be sure the proper file shows in the documents attached box.

8. Click SEND! Suggestion: send a copy to yourself first to make sure you've followed all the steps.

Note: if you use a different e-mail program, you will go to your e-mail software at Step 7.
 

3/23/2004  Understanding LSC - Last Status Change

Every listing shows a current "LSC", which stands for Last Status Change. This important field identifies the current status of a listing, and give agents more detail beyond whether the listing is available or unavailable. Here are the abreviations and their meaning:

For available listings:
NEW - new and current listings, no major changes
PC - listings that have had a price change
EXT - listings that have had the MLS agreement extended
CC - contract cancelled, now available

For unavailable listings:
EXP - expired listing
UC - under contract
CL - closed
WR - listing withdrawn or released
RE - rental listing that has been rented

3/9/2004  Use HISTORY to track listing changes

You can track all changes to listings by using the HISTORY. The history shows the date and time the change was made and the name of the agent or administrative staff who made the change. There are two ways to view the history:

1. When in the full listing report format, click on the History button at the top of the page. The history detail shows at the bottom of the full report.

2. Under the Reports tab, click on History and type in the ML# of the listing, and submit. The history detail shows at the bottom of the full report.

2/24/2004  Searching Vacant Land in Public Records

To search for vacant land in Public Records, follow these steps:
1. Click on the Public Records tab from any page of Stratus
2. Select the Property Characteristics search and a County
3. Enter a Zip Code
4. Scroll down the page to the section marked Property Characteristics
5. Scroll through the Property Class list box. 300's are Land. Select multiple classes by holding the CTRL key.
6. If desired, enter a minimum acres in the Acres field just above the Property Class section
7. Click on SUBMIT
8. Select the Full or Thumbnail report format, then VIEW

2/2/2004  2 Ways to E-Mail Listings

There are two ways to e-mail listings from Stratus:

1. To e-mail listings MANUALLY, do your search first. At the Search Results page, check the box for the listings you would like to e-mail. If none are checked, all on the list will be sent.

Click on the E-Mail button at the bottom of the Search Results list. Type in the e-mail address in the "To" field (separate addresses with a comma). Edit the subject line and the text as you like, then click on SEND.

2. Set up buyers for an AUTOMATIC e-mail in Prospect Match. Click on the Contacts function from the Stratus Info Center.

Click on Add Prospect. Give it a name, enter the e-mail addresses, then continue on to set up the search you would like Stratus to execute each night for this buyer. (Town, Style, Price, etc).
After saving the prospect match, Stratus will search every night for up to six months for matching listings. If it finds a match, an e-mail is automatically sent to the buyer (with a copy to you).

1/12/2004  CMAs Deleted After 6 Months of Non-Use

Stratus CMAs will be deleted if they have not been used for six months.
Check your CMAs periodically and re-save any you would like to keep that are close to six months from the date it was created or edited.
To do this:
1. Click on the CMA tab in Stratus
2. Click on Use Existing CMA
3. Hightlight the CMA to be re-saved by clicking on it
4. Click on Continue
5. Once in the CMA, click Save CMA from any screen.

11/18/2003  Print List of MLS Zones By Town

Here's where to find the list of MLS zones in town order:
1) From Stratus, click on the LIBOR Button (next to Log Off)
2) Click on the Documents on Demand button on the left menu
3) Click on Document #110
4) Click on File/Print

10/23/2003  Editing Or Deleting Prospects

Prospects remain in Stratus even after the expiration date. To edit the prospect for re-use, or to delete it, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Contacts Tab

2. Click on Edit or Delete PROSPECT (don't confuse with CONTACT)

3. Drop down the list of your prospects, select the prospect to edit or delete.

4. Confirm that it's the correct prospect, click on continue to edit, or DELETE PROSPECT at the bottom of the page to delete. Prospects must be deleted one at a time.

10/6/2003  How to Use "Save Criteria As" and "Use Saved Criteria"

Stratus allows users to save their favorite searches as "Saved Criteria". This saves you them time it takes to re-enter all the criteria each time you run the search. Great for Open House searches (be sure to use "T" dates when you save searches).

1. Set up the search using Quick, Flex, Full or Pre-Defined. Enter any dates in the search using "t-180 to t" or "t to t+10", etc.

2. Click the preview button to double check your search.

3. Type a name for the search in the box that reads "Save Criteria As"

4. Click on the SAVE button.

When you want to use this search another day, start a search in Quick, Full, Flex or Pre-Defined.

1. Open the drop-down box next to "Use Saved Criteria"

2. Select the saved search you would like to use.

3. Click on "USE"

4. Click on SUBMIT

9/29/2003  Printing Several Listings in Full Format

Printing more than one listing in Broker Full or Client Full format is easy with the following steps:

1. At the Search Results page (where you see the listings on one line), select the desired report format at the bottom of the list of properties. (Broker Full is automatically selected)

2. Click the VIEW button just above the report format options.

3. To print all listings in this format, click on the PRINT ALL SELECTED. You do not have to check off any listings - it will automatically print them all.

4. A new window appears with the PRINT VIEW of the listings. Click on File/Print in the new window, and all listings will be printed - one to a page.

9/15/2003  Using the Letter "T" Instead of Today's Date

When entering date ranges in Stratus (From___ To____) you have the option to type the letter "t" (to which Stratus will assign today's date) with a range back into the past or into the future. If you plan to SAVE the search to use again, use the "t" dates so Stratus will always assign the current date.

Examples:
If you want to see closings that took place in the last 3 months:
In the FROM box, type "T-90". In the TO box, type "T"

If you want to look up open houses scheduled for the next five days:
In the FROM box, type "T". In the TO box, type "T+5"
The EARLIER date always goes in the FROM box.

9/4/2003  Click the LIBOR Button for Valuable Member Information

Click on the LIBOR button at the top right of every Stratus page, just next to the Log Off button, for a wealth of information including:

1. Member discounts on cell phones/phones, insurance, office products, Dell computers, travel, movies and more!

2. Legal Hotline information - when and how you can call for legal questions

3. Many LIBOR documents and applications under Documents on Demand

4. Broker services including Broker Reciprocity and Technical Support Services

5. Links to your Chapter website for meeting information, officer contact information

6. Pay your LIBOR dues bill, register for education classes

7. Get the latest copy of the Realtor newspaper - or search the archives for a recent article

8/19/2003  Why Store Exclusive Listings on Stratus?

There are many advantages to putting your office exclusive listings on Stratus:

1. Exclusives are seen by only your office and any branches.

2. Agents can print reports that include both MLS and Exclusive listings.

3. Exclusives that have sold can be used in your CMA's

4. Exclusives can be easily flipped over to MLS

5. Sold exclusives be be included in your market share reports

6. Sold data can be published for the benefit of all MLS agents

To begin, click on the Add/Edit tab, then Add Listing. Select PRIVATE listing (a PUBLIC listing goes on MLS, MLSLI.com and Realtor.com)

Enter the listing information as you would an MLS listing. Once you submit the listing, you will be assigned an ML# that begins with an asterisk "*". You can then upload photos as you would an MLS listing.

8/8/2003  Find a Listing Fast by ML#

If you have the ML# for a listing and want to pull it up fast:

1. Click on the REPORTS tab (next to Search)

2. Type in the ML# in box number 1. Don't forget the asterisk (*) if it is a private listing

3. Type in other ML#s in the boxes if you are looking for several listings.

4. Click on SUBMIT

7/31/2003  Where to Find Step By Step Stratus Instructions

Stratus users often request written step-by-step instructions for using various functions. Here are two ways to get them:

1. Click on HELP on any Stratus page (right side of Stratus window, just below the Log Off button). Click on the topic desired on the left panel. Instructions for that topic will then show on the right panel. (You can print these - simply RIGHT click your mouse in the right panel, then select PRINT)

2. Click on PRINTED HELP on the right side of the Info Center page of Stratus (under Info Center Options). Select and click on the Chapter you need, which will open in a new window. To print the chapter, click on the printer icon which is below the back button.

7/23/2003  Many Benefits to Using Stratus CONTACTS

Here are some of the great benefits to storing your client/customer/acquaintance/neighbor information in Stratus contacts:

1. Addresses can be categorized, downloaded and used in a mailing program such as Word Mail Merge to print labels, postcards, letters and more.

2. You have access to your contact address and phone book from any computer anywhere in the world!

3. Your data is kept confidential - other agents cannot see your contacts. They will stay with you if you ever change offices.

4. Stratus has many levels of protection so that you won't lose your data if your computer crashes or there's a hurricane in Babylon. Or, if you lose your paper address book or Palm - no problem as long as that data is in Stratus contacts.

5. Activites stored in contacts as "To Do", "Scheduled", "Hold" or "Completed" will appear on your personal Stratus Calendar on the date you choose - great way to set automatic reminders for yourself.

To begin, click on the contacts tab from any Stratus page and type your contact information - enter as little or as much information as you want - only a name is required. Click on save when that contact is completed. Start building your valuable database today!!!!

To learn more, click on the Help button on any Stratus page, or register for "Power Listing with CMA and Other Stratus Tools" (Stratus CMA) at LIBOR.

7/14/2003  Set Up Today's Listings and Show Open Houses on Your Calendar

The "Today's Listings" area on the lower left corner of the Info Center gives you quick access to the days' new listings, price changes, closings, expirations, contracts. To set this up:

1. Click on the down arrow next to Today's Listings on the Info Center OR on Customize My Stratus (both found on the left side of the Info Center)
2. Decide how you want to divide the towns in your market area - you can have up to four groups of towns
3. Name the first group of towns, select the classes of properties you need to see, then select the towns (no limit, hold ctrl to select multiple towns). Then complete the other three areas if desired

7/2/2003  Check Your Office/Agent Listing Inventory

To print your office's listings (by agent or status) follow these steps:

1. Click on the REPORTS tab in Stratus

2. On the left menu, click on OFFICE INVENTORY

3. Make your selections

-By office or firm (select the radio button for firm, then select the branch. Hold CTRL for more than one branch)
-Status (avail, closed, expired, under contract)
-Enter a date range if desired (leave blank for all)
-Sort by status or agent

4. Click on SUBMIT

5. To print the list, click on PRINT VIEW, then file/print

6/24/2003  Send Your Agent Photo to MLS for Stratus

Stratus can store a photo of each LIBOR member to print on your CMAs and listing flyers, and will appear under Search Members in Stratus. Here's how to send us your photo:

1. Have someone take your picture with a digital camera in .jpg or .bmp format. Photos will be resized to 90 x 120 pixels. Head shots only! No team photos - one agent on a photo to insure clarity.

2. E-mail the photo to photos@mlslirealtor.com along with your LIBOR member number, name and phone number.

You will see your photo within 48 hours - it will be seen on your CMAs, listing flyers and when searching members.

5/29/2003  Confirm Your E-Mail Address with LIBOR/MLS

Realtor e-mail addresses are published for the public in "Find A Realtor" on the public website mlsli.com. EVERY Realtor shows an e-mail address. If LIBOR membership has not been notified of a different address, then your jdoe@mlslirealtor.com is the one that will appear.

To check if LIBOR has your correct e-mail address, click on Search Members on the right side of the Info Center page. Type your last name in the Last Name box. Click on SUBMIT. A list of Realtors with that name will appear, including the e-mail address.

If your e-mail address is wrong or outdated, send a correction to libormem@mlslirealtor.com. DO NOT CALL with this information as it can be misunderstood by voice. Remember, e-mail addresses always have an "@", and never have "www". Check your record again in a couple of days to see if the change is there.

5/19/2003  Using the MAP to Locate Listings

If you search for closings in Public Records, you will find all deed transfers recorded with the county (including MLS closings, exclusive closings and FSBO closings). To execute this search:

1. To find listings via the map function, select the SEARCH tab, then RADIUS SEARCH and     continue.
2. Scroll to the lower right section of the map page, type in the ZIP CODE you want to search in     the box for "Locate Zip on Map". Click on the LOCATE button to zoom in on that zip. You will     see the map change.
3. Select a radius (a circle) around the center point (1/2 mile, 2 miles).
4. Submit the search
5. From the Search Results page, click on STREET MAP. 

5/19/2003  How to Search for Words in Remarks

Occasionally you will have a need to find listings that have certain words in remarks (mother/daughter, horse properties, tennis court, etc). Here's how to do it:

1. Select FLEX search, class and status. Click on CONTINUE
2. Open the drop down list of data fields on the left. Select TOWN and choose the town when the list appears.
3. Open the drop down list of data fields again. Select REMARKS. Change "starts w/" to "contains", then type the first word you are looking for. Include any abbreviations of that word as well. After typing the first word, click OR and type in the second word you want Stratus to look for. Here's what your search might look like:

Town              equals              Manorville
Remarks        contains          horse
                         or                       barn
                         or                       stable
                         or                       corral

When you SUBMIT this search, Stratus will look through all listings in Manorville and find any that have any of these words in the remarks.

 Using AOL With Stratus

Since AOL is not a standard ISP and does not use standard Internet communications protocol, using AOL to visit many Internet sites, including Stratus, may cause problems. If you want to use AOL to access the Internet, when working in Stratus, minimize AOL by clicking on the “-“ (dash) in the upper right hand corner of AOL. Then open Internet Explorer from your desktop and go to www.mlsstratus.com and sign on with your User ID and Password. You can determine if you are still in AOL and not in Internet Explorer before you access Stratus, by checking along the top of your screen for the words Sign Off or America Online. If you see this, minimize AOL and launching Internet Explorer. Access Stratus through Internet Explorer with AOL minimized.

 Don’t forget to check your new Prospect Matches!

Remember to click on New Prospect Matches on the Info Center page. Even if you are getting the e-mail notifications from the Prospect matches in your Inbox, they still accumulate in the link at the bottom of the Info Center (used to be at the top!). If you do not regularly click the link to clean out its list of found listings, it will take much longer for the list to display.

 Set your Internet Explorer homepage to Stratus

You can have the Stratus login page* appear automatically every time you open Internet Explorer. To set Stratus as your homepage, open Internet Explorer, go to the Menu bar, click Tools, then Internet Options. In the Home Page section, click in the Address field and type http://www.mlsstratus.com, then click OK.

*Note: Setting Stratus as your homepage does not eliminate the login procedure. You will have to login each time you want to start a new session.

 Printing listings on one page

Having trouble printing a listing on one page? The problem may be easily resolved by adjusting your Page Setup.

1. While looking at your search results or a selected listing, click Print View
2. Choose File, then Page Setup
3. In the Page Setup dialogue box, select Portrait as the orientation
4. Set all your margins to 0.5 inches
5. Click OK. Then go to File, Print, OK

 You too can add up to 8 Additional Photos for any of your listings!

In addition to the primary exterior photo of your listing, you can add up to 8 additional photos. With these photos you can highlight special exterior features or interior rooms to potential buyers. How can you do this? Create a digital file of these features by scanning the photos or use a digital camera to photograph the property. The file will need to be in the JPEG format with a maximum resolution of 640 by 480. Once you have these photo files, upload them in Add/Edit – Upload Photos.

 Searching multiple streets on Stratus

The easiest way to search multiple streets in Stratus is to use Quick Search. Simply go to the Street Name drop-down list, choose Starts w/, Contains or Equals, then enter the first street name in the text box to the right (do NOT enter Rd, Ct, Dr, etc). To add the next street, click the OR button, and repeat the steps above. Continue adding street names; there is no limit to the number of streets you can enter. Note: To search entire streets, do not put in any street number.

 LIBOR/MLS Events Calendar

The LIBOR/MLS Events link on the left side of the Info Center page gives you access to the Education Department's current scheduled classes. It is a great way to see what courses are being offered (you can look at future months, too). If you want more information about individual courses, simply click the course name and you will see date, location and how to make reservations. You’ll also find Chapter meeting dates and social events.

 Press F11 Key To See More of Your Screen!

While working in Stratus, you may not be able to see your navigation buttons without having to scroll down. Clicking on the F11 key will key will condense your browser's top menu/tool bars and expand your Stratus viewing screen and in many cases your Stratus navigation buttons will show without scrolling. To return your browser to its original format, just hit F11 again. F11 works for all Internet sites, not just Stratus.

 Public Records Includes ALL Deed Transfers

If you search for closings in Public Records, you will find all deed transfers recorded with the county (including MLS closings, exclusive closings and FSBO closings). To execute this search:

1. Search by "Deeds and Mortgages" in Public Records
2. Select a town OR a zip code
3. Enter a deed date range, such as 1/1/02 through 12/31/02
    (Note that the most recent sales take 2-3 months before appearing on Public Records)
4. Enter a sold price minimum, such as $100,000 to avoid getting deed transfers that were simply
    a name change on the deed
5. Click on SUBMIT   

 Caution! AD TEXT field is for PUBLIC remarks

The Ad Text field (short for Advertising Text) is to be used as a descriptive field for the public to see, similar to what would be in a classified ad (i.e. Lovely colonial with new kitchen and baths in a great neighborhood). Do not enter any information intended for Realtors only. Do not leave this field blank when adding a listing as this will leave the field blank on mlslirealtor.com.
This field may not include contact information, your website URL, showing instructions, mortgage requirements, listing status, open houses, etc. Listings will be monitored and if this type of information is included the MLS may delete the entire Ad Text field.
Currently the Ad Text field is displayed on the Client Full Reports and Flyers on Stratus. This field is also displayed on your listings on mlslirealtor.com, our consumer site.