REINCheck

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VO [00:00:06] You're listening to REINCheck with Andrea Rice, Contracts and Industry Specialist at REIN, where you get the latest member news and information delivered straight from the source, REIN MLS.

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Andrea Rice [00:00:20] Hello and welcome to REINCheck. I'm your host, Andrea Rice, and today we are checking in with REIN's Senior Manager of Member Services Nancy May to discuss Single Access for keyboxes, a one-time access code, which is a new feature that recently launched. Nancy, thank you for taking time to join us today to tell us about this new Supra key feature.

Nancy May [00:00:41] Well, thanks for having me on, Andrea.

Andrea Rice [00:00:44] Yes, so happy you could be here. So, like I said, this did just recently launch. So, for our members that may not have had a chance to really get up to date on it yet, what can you tell our members about this new one-time single access code and what it is?

Nancy May [00:01:00] Sure. Well, this single access is the ability for listing agents to collaborate with real estate agents who are not a member of REIN and who do not have access to REIN keyboxes by sending a one-time access code to unlock their lockboxes. Access is granted by the listing agent for a period of anywhere between two to 72 hours, and that access is distributed to the collaborating agent via a text message. Single Access is only to be issued to active licensed real estate agents who are not a member of REIN and who do not have access to Supra key services from their own MLS or other association. You may not send an access code to buyers or clients, general contractors, or home inspectors, among others. This is also not allowed as a replacement for REIN members signing up for the key services. If an individual is eligible for REIN key services such as appraisers, team members, unlicensed assistants then they must contact REIN to set up their own eKEY. A complete copy of the dos and don'ts that have been added to both the rules and the regulations and the policies and procedures. And all members should read these details before using the feature.

Andrea Rice [00:02:16] Yeah, interesting, so, you know, a lot of, you know, good dos and don'ts and what it is. And it sounds like a really interesting enhancement. So as this is a new feature, is there a cost for REIN members to use Single Access?

Nancy May [00:02:32] No. As a REIN member, Single Access is available at no additional cost. It's a feature that's included as part of your quarterly key fees that you already pay.

Andrea Rice [00:02:41] That's great. And you know, this is an additional type of access. So, with this feature, is there a potential for misuse? And what is the agent's responsibility or liability when using this new feature?

Nancy May [00:02:57] Well, of course, all REIN members are expected to follow the Single Access rule that we've written. REIN will enforce this rule to the best of our ability. Failure to comply could result in stiff fines to the listing agent anywhere between $250 to $1000 per offense and the feature being disabled, or even possibly the suspension of your key services at the discretion of the board. However, as far as your agent's responsibility, it is essential that all agents confer with their brokers before using the feature. Brokers may have some of their own broker-related rules around its use, and you should also discuss any potential liability concerns with them. By using this feature through the Supra End User License Agreement, REIN key holders acknowledge that they have obtained explicit consent from the property owner to grant keybox access to a real estate agent who is not a member of REIN, and proof of that consent must be retained by the key holder and provided upon request.

Andrea Rice [00:03:58] Wow. Yeah, that's a lot of great information and good point about checking with your broker first. That's always a good idea. And it's my understanding that other associations in Virginia also offered this Single Access service. How does this impact our members and does this service differ from region to region?

Nancy May [00:04:20] It's definitely different. Both Williamsburg and Richmond, that we know of, offer a similar service through SentriLock, and each has their own set of rules around its use. And that, of course, would be the same for any other regional MLS or association that might offer the service. I can tell you that REIN's rules are different than these other organizations, in large part because we only allow the access code to be sent to a licensed real estate agent. It is REIN members' responsibility to understand and follow our rule as we will be carefully monitoring reports to identify misuse and abuse.

Andrea Rice [00:04:55] Right. So, there's a lot to keep track of here. You know, there there are fines for misuse. There are rules that they'll want to be sure to check on. Checking with their broker. But to just sum it up if we were to sum it up real simply. Basically, this new feature, which they'll access through their Supra key is basically if they want to give access to a licensed agent who is not a member of REIN, they can set that up, and it's very simple to do on their key. And it's just for a brief period of time this access code, right? What's the timeframe again?

Nancy May [00:05:40] It can be for a period of two to 72 hours.

Andrea Rice [00:05:44] And does it automatically expire or do they have to do anything to stop the access?

Nancy May [00:05:52] No. The agent will, in their eKEY, the agent will set the time and the length of time in that it can be done. And if that time passes without being accessed, then it expires.

Andrea Rice [00:06:04] OK, great. Yeah, a lot of great information, Nancy. I really appreciate it. And is there anything else that you would like to add before we sign off any parting thoughts or tips for our members?

Nancy May [00:06:15] Well, I mean, I just want to remind everyone, you know, this is a convenient and secure tool that supports collaboration with other agents. And for more information and links to instructions and things like that, you'll be able to find on our website, REINMLS.com. And if you have any questions specifically about the rule itself, please give us. Contact us. You can email us at rulessupport@reininc.com and you can also contact our customer service department and they'll answer any how-to questions for you.

Andrea Rice [00:06:48] Great. Thank you, Nancy, and thank all of you for listening. I hope you enjoyed this episode of REINCheck, and if you missed any of the previous episodes, I do write you to go to REINMLS.com/podcast to take a listen. And if you have not done so already, make sure you subscribe to REINCheck so that you can get new episodes delivered directly to you when they are released. Thank you and have a great rest of your day.

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VO [00:07:13] You've been listening to REINCheck with Andrea Rice. Stay in the know from those who know. Delivered straight from the source, REIN MLS.

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