by Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors announced two new initiatives during the association’s quarterly luncheon at the Jacksonville Marriott last month.
NEFAR and Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton have started a program promoting Employer Assisted Housing programs for local businesses. The new program will be focused on working with local business owners to provide homeownership opportunities programs to their employees.
And, the NEFAR-related The Northeast Florida Multiple Listing Service announced a new security initiative.
Cathy Whatley of Buck & Buck Realty talked about the homeownership program.
“Never has NEFAR gone out on behalf of the association to communicate with local employers about what types of programs they might be able to offer their employees to make them more aware of housing opportunities,” said Whatley.
To kick off the program, Mayor Peyton, NEFAR and the Chamber of Commerce will host the inaugural Employer Assisted Housing Summit on June 22 from 9-11 a.m. at Jacksonville main library.
They need Realtors to volunteer to talk with employers. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Korie Miller at NEFAR.
“No one knows more about houses than Realtors,” said Whatley “We need your participation.”
Ron Stephen, the executive vice president of the NEFMLS, spoke to the group about how the Internet made Realtors’ jobs easier, but also put them at risk for others to access the MLS illegally, which puts their clients and themselves at risk.
Because of password sharing and theft, MLS organizations and vendors have estimated that between 10 and 25 percent of user logins are not legitimate dues paying members of the MLS.
“In the near future, NEFMLS, will be implementing a proven security technology that has been used by millions of people in the private industry and government for over a decade,” said. “Several MLS vendors including our current vendor are implementing this solution.”
More information will be available as the security initiative moves forward.