Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why isn't there a price search?
   
   We do not want to exclude properties a consumer may actually consider.  Consumers deciding on vacation and seasonal rentals are often very flexible on weekly fees.  We want them to see all their choices before they make any rental decision strictly on price.  This is the same philosophy adopted by the hotel industry on the Internet.
    

2. Why doesn't the system give exact dates or weeks of availability?
   
   It is essential that rental agents are able to easily update the rental system as well as provide the consumer with accurate information.  It is not unusual for ONE rental agent to handle 100 - 200 rental properties at a time.  To constantly update this web site with exact date availability would be extremely difficult.  In addition, as owners may provide rental rights to more than one company in some markets, rental agents often have to contact other firms to confirm availability.  Therefore, using months with availability provides enough information that a consumer would then contact a rental firm and get exact weekly dates.  If you wish, you can include exact dates in the remarks area.
    

3. There are SO MANY Features won't the information be confusing to enter and to search?
   
   No.  On input the Features list is divided into specific Categories so agents can completely bypass any area that doesn't apply at all to that rental property.  On the search results display ONLY those features that have been activated by the agent will be displayed.  The search results display is dynamically created based on information available for that specific property so there will not be huge areas of white space, nor will it list something that isn't included.
    

4. If the owner does not set an expiration date, what should I use in the expired field?
   
   You should use the date when you are no longer able to offer pricing and secure rentals for the property.  For example, if an owner will only give you prices and dates through September 2000 you should not choose a date beyond September 2000 for an expiration date.
    

5. Is this an MLS?
   
   No.  An MLS by definition is an offer of cooperation and compensation to other licensees in a listing service.  Most rentals are directly promoted to consumers by a company without a compensation offer to companies who bring a renter, so it does not fit.  In addition, this is designed for public display.  Many MLS systems do not display to the public.
    

6. I already have an in-house rental database and my system assigns an ID to each property.  The Residential Rental system also assigns an ID.  How am I going to make the connection between the two?
   
   There is a field called "Internal Property ID" that will display whatever ID your use internally.  How this is handled clearly varies from rental company to rental company -- for example, your internal ID could be a code, owner name, property name, partial address -- whatever YOUR company needs to identify it internally.
    

7. Why isn't street address required?
   
   Some rental companies choose not to publicly display the exact location of the property either as company policy or at the request of the owner.  However, for companies that DO want to display the location of the rental property, it is an option.  There is a map feature to assist consumers to locate the property.  When the address is not given, the location will be at the center of the zip code (this will be noted on the search instructions).  When the street address is provided, it will be shown using a popular Internet mapping program.
    

8. What if the property does not have a street address?
   
   The only option will be the "general" location feature.  You can explain the exact location in more detail in the Remarks section.
    

9. Why can a rental agent in Maine add properties in other states?
   
   Because your firm may handle rental properties across state lines, the system was designed to provide for any market area.  However, the default "State" in the system will be the "home" state of the rental company.
    

10. Why isn't a town on the list when adding a property?
    
    The system uses the US Post Office databases.  Only "legal" towns assigned zip codes are included.  As with MLS, there are all sorts of difficulties when "areas" are included on city/town lists that are not legally identifiable. For example, they may be missed by consumers in searches as well as not working with map software.
     

11. Why isn't a town on the list when doing a search?
    
    Only towns that have rental properties are included in the search.  This saves the consumer from frustration in not finding rental properties when none exist.  However, when a rental property for that town is added then the town immediately appears on the search list.
     

12. What if the property allows only cats but not dogs; or only dogs but not cats ... (for allergy or other reasons)?
    
    Most of the time if the owner allows pets they allow both so "Pets Allowed" shows on the summary display when "Pets Allowed" is selected.  However, to allow for situations where it's either only cats or only dogs, there is another feature under "General" where "Cats Allowed" and "Dogs Allowed" may be individually selected.  But those choices do not show in the main display nor do they impact the search.
     

13. If more than one rental agency has the owner's permission to market the rental listings, does this mean the same property might be in the system two or three times?
    
    Yes.  It does not mean they all will, but they all can.  How each company inputs the property may also vary.  And each firm may emphasize different aspects of the property.
     

14. We have our own website.  Can we link to it?
    
    Yes.  There is a Link function where you can add a URL and also enter text to explain the link.  This is similar to the link function on your Living Network web page.
     

15. Can I include interior or "view" photos?
    
    One photo may be included per listing.  You simply upload the digital photo in an industry standard format from you computer.  If you have additional photos on a company web site, you may note that in our "link" area.  As an example, "To see interior photos and views, click here" then enter the URL for that property on your website.
     

16. My company web site includes a form to request additional information and specific days of availability.  How will a consumer find that?
    
    This is another good use for the "link" area on the rental page.  You could say "For specific information or availability on this property, click here" then enter the URL for your web site.
     

17. Why is there an "Electronics" section?
    
    Many renters have business needs and require knowing if certain features are available in the property.  Some examples are data port lines for laptop use and Internet connections or separate dedicated lines.  Other travelers require certain other "convenience" factors such as television, VCRs, or satellite/cable.  This is also the same philosophy adopted by the hotel industry that seeks to attract business travelers.  Rental and seasonal properties offering business features are sought.  However, property features may be omitted by simply not including them on the display.
     

18. How do I get information about Adding, Editing, Removing a Rental Property; or Adding, Editing, Removing a Photo?
    
    Go to our instructions located http://me.realtorplace.com - Rental Database Information - Adding/Changing/Searching a Rental Listing & Photo.
     

19. What if there are violations such as someone saying they have a property when they do not or in it not being updated when it's no longer available?
    
    There is a button on the site for consumers to report violations.  The nature of the complaint will be taken into consideration such as the length of time involved and the information provided by the rental agencies.  Misuse of the system could result in a company being removed from using the rental system.  In addition, because this is a REALTOR information system we have certain policing features already agreed to by the membership such as the Code of Ethics.
     

20. What if there are property features -- such as canoes, boats, kayaks, bicycles, or life vests that the owner provides as part of the rental?
    
    You should include that in the Remarks section!  The Remarks section allows 2,000 characters so anything unique the owner might include or anything specific you may wish to use to promote the property should be there!
     

21. What is the "Quick Fill" feature on the price grid?
    
    The quick fill feature allows a user to enter a maximum and minimum price and the frequency (day, week, month, year), to fill the entire price grid for all months and marks all months as available.  The user can then edit any months that may be different from the quick fill selection.  This feature is optional.
     

22. How can I get a list of all the Rental listings I have on the system?
    
    A button automatically appears on your personal page on the Maine Living Network that says "View My Rental Listings" when you have any Rentals on the system.  Clicking that button will list all the rentals you have added that remain active in the Rental database.
     

23. How does the system assure that only listings that remain active are in the database?
    
    Each listing must have either price or availability (or both) chosen in the current or a future month to remain in the rental system.  If a listing is only listed with price and availability in July, and it becomes August, the listing will be removed from the system.  In addition, the expiration date will remove rental properties from the system.
     

24. Can I use a Mac?
    
    If you are able to utilize your Mac now to access the Internet, you can also use it to add/change/search Rental properties.  A Mac will work fine.  Use the latest version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer or Netscape's browser.
     

25. Can I participate if I don't belong to the Statewide MLS?
    
    Yes, this Rental database is available to all members of the Maine Association, and to rental divisions or subsidiaries of their company when the Designated Broker has membership in MAR.  Please note, we use the term "Rental Agent" within those rental companies to denote the contact for rental listings (not the actual name of the rental agent .. although that can be included in the description.)
     

26. I've noticed that there are many other buttons for information in the Maine Living Network, can I use those too?
    
    YES!  We URGE you to update information about your company and REALTORS®/Agents within the text areas of the Living Network System.  Simply type information and chose "Save" to update your Personal Profile.  The Maine Living Network is for both consumers as well as for referrals .. so include your specialty and market areas for our agent search features.
     

27. Why isn't there a detailed section for monthly/annual apartment rental date?
    
    There are sections to indicate lease required or minimum month requirements.  Any other apartment rental features can be noted in the remarks area.
     

28. Why isn't this divided into parts of the state?
    
    That is currently in the works.  Until our rental database grows, the entire state will display together, but searches may be town by town.
     

29. If a buyer is now under contract, do I remove him/her from the buyer listing database?
    
    Yes, if you are no longer showing someone property then the buyer should be deleted from the service.
     

30. Other questions?
    
    E-mail cindy@mainerealtors.com and we'll find out.

RETURN TO PREVIOUS PAGE