Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Leading Costa Rica REALTORS® to Focus on Social Media Integration with Costa Rica MLS


Costa Rica MLS Listings and Social Media Search Tools Set to First Appear on Facebook Business Pages of Costa Rica REALTORS® in December!



      

The Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS® (CRGAR), will be offering a series of special professional events on Monday, December 10, 2012, in Playa Hermosa, Carrillo, Guanacaste. These events will focus on the emerging importance of social media tools and services to the real estate industry and CRGAR members, new services and features of the Costa Rica MLS (CRMLS), CRGAR’s 2013 membership policies and fees, “hands-on” training for using new social media resources and new features of CRMLS, and will conclude with CRGAR’s Holiday Cocktail Party, a short distance away at the El Velero Hotel on the beach. 

These events are open to all real estate agents, brokers, developers, franchise networks, and allied professionals. We also hope to welcome professionals from other parts of Costa Rica and neighboring countries who are interested in adding some of CRGAR’s services in their home markets, to network with Costa Rica, and who may be considering new database support.

The event is organized into sessions as follows:



1) 10:00AM-11:00AM -The Emerging Integration of Social Media with MLS Databases – A New Dimension in Listing/Agent Syndication.

CRGAR has arranged for an expert from the United States to lead this discussion and be available throughout the day. Until recently, Pablo Ceron was a REALTOR® in Miami, and he is also the developer of SocialSearch, a Facebook application for real estate professionals and businesses, acquired by Proxio. SocialSearch will be available to all users of the Costa Rica MLS for the first time on December 10th.

 


Pablo is now a part of the Proxio Global Team, is bi-lingual English/Spanish, and is deeply involved in all areas of social media. He will discuss how social media applies to the real estate industry now, and how it is likely to evolve in the near future. His appearance will give attendees special insights to the state of the art in social media, and special assistance with starting your SocialSearch account on CRMLS.

Pablo’s SocialSearch team is also considering an enhanced SocialSearch product for developers and large projects – with either in-house sales or contracts with outside real estate professionals. The intent is to provide enhanced global project marketing with seamless integration to other SocialSearch users. He would like a chance to share these ideas with representatives of projects and get feedback for product planning. 

2) 11:00AM-Noon – New Features and Services of the Costa Rica MLS

Starting on December 10, 2012, the Costa Rica ML will offer its users new services and features, as well as some policy revisions. Others are in the pipeline and will be demonstrated on December 10th for release in early 2013. All changes are intended to make CRMLS more useful and effective for your professional purposes. The new items include:


SocialSearch by ProxioA detailed explanation of the new social media connection between CRMLS and Facebook (as Phase 1 of SocialSearch), and the advantages of Facebook Business Pages, if you do not already have one. (Individual “hands-on” training will be part of the 2:30PM session in the afternoon.)




Listing Syndication to UniqueHomes.com
A new, free outlet for listings above a certain minimum asking price.

New Landing Pages for Accounts(Demo only Dec 10) – A new page that opens after an agent logs in to CRMLS. The format will include an overview of activity of your listings, your syndication channels, your network, your colleagues in CRMLS, and the Proxio system.


“Featured Listing” WidgetsProxio is releasing new custom widgets that will scroll images and basic information about your listings, which also work as links to them in the database.


Listing Syndication to ListGlobally.com/Worldposting.com – (coming in 2013) – 2 of the largest global syndication networks will be available on a selective basis.


         
 


Window Flyer
– First of new flyer formats.

Mobile Ready
– Update on progress toward CRMLS being available on mobile, hand-held devices.

3) 2:30PM-4:00PM – “Hands On” Clinic for CRMLS Users

This session is primarily designed to  help CRMLS users install SocialSearch. It will have a “free” format, to also respond to any type of questions from CRMLS users and/or CRGAR candidate members.

Bring your devices to connect to the internet and install SocialSearch in your CRMLS account before leaving the Embassy Theater. If you do not have a Facebook Business Page, create one before December 10. Or, if you need Facebook assistance, a session about creating a Business Page will be part of this clinic.

General assistance will be available for new and existing users from CRMLS resource people, Pam Wright, Alberto Triquell, and Allen Lungo, as well as other experienced, CRGAR members. As requested, a small group demonstration of the basic CRMLS system will be possible for member candidates.

4) 4:30PM-? – CRGAR Holiday Cocktail Party (cash bar) at Hotel Velero, Playa Hermosa

We will conclude our December 10th events with our Holiday Cocktail Party with sunsets, appetizers courtesy of Mike Simons and RE/MAX Tres Amigos, a “50/50” cash raffle, and a chance to enjoy the season’s spirit with your peers.

Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to seeing you on December 10th in Playa Hermosa!

Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS®
























Friday, November 16, 2012

Costa Rica REALTOR® Institute Offers International Designation - "Certified International Property Specialist" - February 11-15, 2013


"Designation Vacation" at the Beach in Costa Rica!

The Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS® (CRGAR) is offering more details for its second annual Costa Rica CIPS Institute during the week of February 11-15, 2013. The "Certified International Property Specialist" (CIPS) Designation is one of the most prestigious credentials a REALTOR® can earn, especially with globalization of real estate sales increasing year after year. 




The CIPS Institute is scheduled for the week of Valentines Day, offering added incentives to come to Costa Rica with a loved one who will help share a "Designation Vacation". 

During that same week, CIPS companion golfers will be welcome to play in the charity "Have a Heart Golf Tournament", at Hacienda Pinilla, benefiting area educational programs. Details are available through CRGAR.






David Wyant - Awarded "2012 Instructor of the Year" on November 10th by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) in Orlando!

Instructor for 2013 Costa Rica CIPS Institute 
David Wyant congratulated on his award by Teresa Kinney (R), CEO of Miami Realtors, the largest local REALTOR® association in the United States, and Janet Branton (L), Senior Vice-President of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), with headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.



Tuition for the 5-day experience is $600.00 (USD) for attendees who have paid by December 1, 2012. Credit cards are accepted. Tuition increases monthly afterward. Accommodations are available for all budgets and include both hotels and vacation rental condominiums.




Request our full brochure, registration form, and travel information from Becky Clower, Broker, at Blue Water Properties: becky@bwpcr.com.









The 2012 Costa Rica CIPS Institute (this past January) was a great success, drawing attendees from Canada, Costa Rica, and many states in the US. 

Photos of the events are available on www.crgar.com. 












CRGAR appreciates anything you can do to help us spread the word about the 2013 Costa Rica CIPS Institute among, colleagues, friends, and families. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Costa Rica!


CRGAR is the only real estate association in Latin America requiring all of its members to belong to the National Association of REALTORS® while applying its Standards for Professional Practice. Visit www.crgar.com for an overview.








CRGAR also offers The Costa Rica MLS, displaying agent members and their property listings. (Powered by Proxio)

Best Regards,

The Costa Rica Global Association of REALTORS®