SRCAR Connect

Supra ActiveKEY Firmware 1.14 Release

Summary description for cutting and pasting into member communications:

GE Security has released a new version of ActiveKEY firmware – v1.14 – that includes several improvements relating to battery management. If your ActiveKEY’s radio is turned on, the upgrade will happen automatically. To verify that your ActiveKEY’s radio is turned on:

• Press your ActiveKEY’s On/Off button. The display should show “Ready for Use”.
• If the display indicates that the radio is off, you can press “1” to turn the radio ON.

The new firmware will improve your ActiveKEY’s performance in several ways.

The Showing Notification ON/OFF feature enables you to extend your ActiveKEY’s battery life (operating time between battery charges) by turning off Showing Notifications on your ActiveKEY. A Showing Notification is a text message that is displayed on the ActiveKEY when an agent opens an your iBox at your listing. You may opt to turn off Showing Notifications on your ActiveKEY if you:

• prefer to receive their showing notifications  via email,
• do not have active listings,
• or do not use the showing notifications that are sent to your ActiveKEY.

Please refer to the instructions below if you would like to turn off Showing Notifications

With the new Battery Conservation feature, the ActiveKEY will no longer search for Showing Notifications during the off-peak hours of 9pm to 9am, Daylight Time. Our analysis shows that less than 2% of showings take place during this time. If you live in an area with poor cellular coverage, you may find that this feature increases your ActiveKEY’s battery life.

Finally, with the new Quick Charge feature it will take less time for your ActiveKEY’s battery to charge.

In most other ways, including obtaining keys and transmitting information, your ActiveKey will continue to function as before. For example, email notifications of Showings will continue to be real-time during the off-peak window. For instructions on how to set up email notification of showings, please refer to the instructions below.

A complete a list of the new firmware features, please refer to: http://www.gesecurity.com/GESecurity/Real%20Estate/Subcontent/Brochures%20and%20flyers/Agent_ActiveKEY_Firmware%20_Update.pdf

To turn off Showing Notifications on your ActiveKEY:

• press the on/off button on the ActiveKEY
• Scroll to Preferences and press Enter
• Press 2 to turn notifications off and then press Enter

To turn on email notifications:

• Log on to KIM Web
• Click the ShowingValue link in the left hand column of your screen under Activity reports
• In the main ShowingValue page, click Change email settings.
• Under Showing e-mails check the box labeled “After showing agent eSYNC”

Program provides up to $1,500 a month in event of job loss for up to six months

Home buyers concerned about losing their jobs and then having to make their monthly mortgage payments should take heart. A new CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) Mortgage Protection Program, available through your local REALTOR®, provides up to $1,500 per month, for up to six months, to eligible first-time home buyers who lose their jobs due to layoffs.

Best of all, the Mortgage Protection Program is FREE to home buyers, with the monthly premiums for the program paid for by the C.A.R. Housing Affordability Fund. Qualified co-buyers also can participate in the Mortgage Protection Program, and receive monthly benefits of $750 per month for up to six months.

Launched in April by the statewide Association’s non-profit C.A.R. Housing Affordability Fund, nearly 385 home buyers in California have had applications to the program approved so far, with more in the pipeline. California REALTORS® initially allocated $1 million to fund policies for the program.

“The Mortgage Protection Program was developed to help ease the anxiety of Californians concerned about potential job loss and its impact on their ability to meet their mortgage obligation,” said C.A.R. President James Liptak.

With more Californians able to afford a home than in recent years, interest rates at or near historic lows, and a wide selection of homes for sale, there may never be a better time to buy a home than today.

First-time home buyer Michael Sandoval was in the process of purchasing a home in Gilroy, Calif., when he heard about C.A.R.’s Mortgage Protection Program from his REALTOR®, Valerie Kemp of Alain Pinel REALTORS® in Morgan Hill, Calif.

“We were already looking at homes when we heard about this program,” said Sandoval.  “Knowing that we have an additional security blanket should anything happen with our jobs was a relief – and the fact that it’s offered for free is like icing on the cake.  It has helped us achieve the dream of homeownership and get our foot in the door.”
Attesting to the program’s success, C.A.R. also received an Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grant for $420,000 from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) to issue additional Mortgage Protection Program policies beyond the initial $1 million allocated by C.A.R. for the program.

To apply for the program, home buyers must request an application for the C.A.R. Housing Affordability Fund Mortgage Protection Program from their REALTOR®. But don’t delay. C.A.R.’s Mortgage Protection Program is scheduled to run through the end of 2009.

The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Housing Affordability Fund (C.A.R.H.A.F.) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to addressing California’s housing crisis. It receives donations primarily from REALTOR® members and REALTOR® associations committed to addressing housing challenges in California. C.A.R.H.A.F. raises and distributes funds and partners with other groups to promote housing and homeownership and address housing opportunities locally and statewide.
Leading the way…® in California real estate for more than 100 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States, with more than 163,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles

Limited time offer from BlackBerry and GE

Get a FREE GE eKEY For BlackBerry Starter Kit ($50 value)
Hurry, offer expires August 31, 2009.

Now that you can make a BlackBerry smartphone your lockbox key
Making an entrance has never been easier

Find out how to get a FREE eKEY for BlackBerry Starter Kit ($50 value)

For a limited time when you purchase a new BlackBerry® smartphone* from Verizon Wireless or Sprint, activated with a data plan, you’ll receive a free GE eKEY For BlackBerry Starter Kit. This kit includes:

– One(1) eKEY Fob – A small device used to convert the Bluetooth® signal from a BlackBerry smartphone to infrared, allowing access to iBoxes.

– A Quick Start Guide – Setup and registration instructions to get you up and running quickly.

Join the thousands of real estate professionals already taking advantage of the eKEY service with this exclusive offer.

Hurry, offer expires August 31, 2009.

Introducing the GE eKEY software for your BlackBerry smartphone.

Now you can enjoy the timesaving benefits including:
– The ability to retrieve real estate listing keys from iBoxes
– Receiving real-time property showings notifications from your BlackBerry smartphone

Learn more about the GE eKEY service

Offer Details:

How do you qualify for the offer?

Purchase a BlackBerry smartphone from Sprint, Verizon Wireless or any of their authorized resellers. It can be purchased from both retail and web based resellers,
including the GE Security eKEY Portal, which includes a complete selection of eKEY Certified Devices.

The BlackBerry smartphone must be purchased from Sprint or Verizon Wireless. BlackBerry smartphones purchased from carriers other than Sprint or Verizon Wireless do not qualify.

How long does the offer last?

This offer will apply to any new BlackBerry smartphone purchased and activated from Verizon Wireless or Sprint between the following dates:

Verizon Wireless – The BlackBerry smartphone must be purchased between July 28, 2009 and August 31st, 2009 to qualify.

Sprint – The BlackBerry smartphone must be purchased between July 28, 2009 and August 31st, 2009 to qualify.

BlackBerry smartphones purchased outside of these dates DO NOT qualify.

How does the offer work?

The following steps must be taken to take advantage of this offer.
1. Purchase a new BlackBerry smartphone from Sprint, Verizon Wireless or any of their authorized resellers.

2. Activate the phone, and wait 24 hours before performing step three.

3. Visit your carriers’ BlackBerry eKEY web site and register the device.

Click here for the Verizon Offer Site

Click here for the Sprint Offer Site

4. The website will compare the ESN/MEID/IMEI number from the phone to see if it is a new BlackBerry smartphone from a participating carrier.

5. If the smartphone qualifies, the order will be processed, sent to GE Security, and the agent will receive a confirmation email.

6. GE Security will send you your GE eKEY For BlackBerry Starter Kit.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why don’t some devices qualify for the offer when registered on the BlackBerry site?

The BlackBerry registration website is built to detect which carrier the device uses. Only smartphones from Sprint or Verizon Wireless are eligible for this offer. The system can also tell when the device was purchased and activated. If the device has been in service prior to this promotion, it will not qualify.

How long will I have to wait to receive my free fob after it is registered?

Once the phone has been successfully registered on the BlackBerry site it will take approximately two weeks to deliver your GE eKEY For BlackBerry Starter Kit.

Will BlackBerry smartphones purchased from other carriers qualify for the offer?

No. The offer is only for participating carriers. eKEY fobs can still be purchased directly using the standard fob order form available at www.supraekey.com

Once the phone has been successfully registered on the BlackBerry site it will take approximately two weeks to deliver your GE eKEY For BlackBerry Starter Kit.

Don’t have time to inform your members about their benefits?  Let us do it for you!  We know your time is valuable, so let us help make things easier for you by sharing tips and tools to help your members make the most of their membership.

In this informative webinar, they will learn how to fully utilize their C.A.R. membership to save money, time, and ultimately gain peace of mind. Join us for an overview of C.A.R. Member Benefits and Member Advantage Program partners.

Topics covered include:

• Legal Services
• WINForms®
• Communication Tools
• Member Advantage Program

1. TransUnion/Smart Move – Learn how to be smart about screening your rental applicants with this fast, convenient, and cost-effective Member Advantage Program partner.
   
2. Mobile Real Estate ID™ –  Hear how you can allow buyers to access property information, pictures, and the customized contact info right on their cell phone via text message – all in real time and for less than $100 a year.

Maximize your membership—click here to register today! https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/549121931