by Michele Newbern Gillis
Staff Writer
John Chapman is the new District One vice president for the Florida Association of Realtors and he wants to make sure everyone knows what’s going on.
“What I am trying to do is to visit all of the six boards in District One,” said Chapman. “We are trying to get more active as a district so you all are aware of what FAR is doing and what tools and programs are available to you.”
Chapman attended the Amelia Island/Nassau County meeting held at Max’s BBQ and Seafood in Fernandina Beach to educate the Realtors about some benefits FAR offers its members.
He discussed the Planet Realtor Web site and its benefits to Realtors.
“Planet Realtor is probably the No. 1 resource that you need to take advantage of,” he said.
He explained that all of the forms they need are already available and paid via their FAR dues on Planet Realtor.
“You can now download any FAR approved form, save it and e-mail it for free,” he said. “It is a wonderful tool and many of you aren’t aware that it is out there. You also have a personal Web site, which a lot of you have probably never seen.
“Florida Living Network is a part of Planet Realtor. If you are a member of FAR, the Web site is there, it’s part of your dues. A lot of you may have not gone in and modified it, so it only includes your name and very basic information.”
Chapman explained to the Realtors how to go in and update their Web site to use it for their business.
“Upload your photo, company logo, resume and even link your listings to it and it’s all free,” he said. “All you have to is log on and go in and start playing.”
Chapman said that Realtors would need an access number that can be found on the back of their FAR magazine.
“One of the things that FAR is trying to do is to improve the technology that helps you list and sell,” said Chapman. “The more we can do for you, the better your production. The better your production, the more money that comes into FAR, so everyone is happy. We want to give you the right tools to use. Planet Realtor is an awesome resource that is provided to each and every one of you.”
In addition to forms and Web sites, Chapman explained that the site also provides training on various programs.
Another feature offered by FAR is the Legal Hotline.
“If you are a licensed Realtor, they will give you legal advice,” said Chapman. “When you have a question that you just don’t know the answer to, you can call the legal hotline and the bank of attorneys up there will answer your question. So, you at least have some firm legal foundation to stand on if someone comes back and says you shouldn’t have done that. You can say that you called the FAR Legal Hotline and they said this is the way to go. You just diffused a potential lawsuit. Every customer is a potential lawsuit, no matter if it’s your best friend or family. They can get you into trouble.”
Chapman said the number for the FAR Legal Hotline at 407-438-1409.
If you are having trouble with technology, you can also call the FAR Technology Hotline for free.
“They don’t care what the question is,” he said. “If it is a software problem, they will do everything they can and stay on the phone as long as needed to help you solve that technological problem. It’s a wonderful program that is not being utilized. The number for the FAR Technology Hotline is 407-587-1450. You are paying annual dues, why not take advantage of what is offered to you?”
Chapman also gave information about upcoming FAR events that he feels will help build Realtor business and improve their marketing techniques.