Latest News

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Changes To ShowingTime Text Message Notifications

By Kerri | February 27, 2024 | Comments Off on Changes To ShowingTime Text Message Notifications

ShowingTime sends important updates about your listing appointments via text message. Recently these messages may not have not always reached you or your clients due to mobile carriers blocking text notifications from ShowingTime.

To ensure they are taking the necessary steps to keep agents informed on listing appointments and activity, ShowingTime will have a new opt-in process to improve their text message notification system.

This new system will begin on March 12, 2024.  Read more in this announcement from the team at ShowingTime.

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Jennifer Jansen Named Iowa REALTOR® Of The Year

By Kerri | September 29, 2023 | Comments Off on Jennifer Jansen Named Iowa REALTOR® Of The Year

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Jennifer Jansen, Broker/Owner of Epic Realty, Inc. in Sioux Center, Iowa, has been named the 2023 REALTOR® of the Year by the Iowa Association of REALTORS®. This honor recognizes Jansen’s commitment to the real estate industry and her exceptional contributions to the community. It is bestowed annually on one Iowa REALTOR® who has contributed significantly to the advancement of the REALTOR® profession and their community-at-large during the last year.

Jansen was licensed and became a REALTOR® in 2005, opening her own brokerage in 2014. Jansen holds professional designations as a member of the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS), Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI), and Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR). Epic Realty serves Sioux Center, Orange City and surrounding Northwest Iowa communities with a ten member comprehensive real estate team. The brokerage will mark its tenth anniversary in February, 2024.

With a lengthy resume of accomplishments and community service, Jansen’s outstanding professionalism and dedication have earned her this prestigious honor.

“Jenn faithfully adheres to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and is a staunch advocate for the real estate industry,” said Tonya Vakulskas, President of the Northwest Iowa Regional Board of REALTORS®. “She brings passion, professionalism, and a sense of joy to every organization she serves.”

Jansen is a board member for the Northwest Iowa Regional Board of REALTORS®, and led the organization as President during the challenges of the 2020 pandemic.

“Jenn also serves on multiple state and national committees that engage with legislators to protect homeownership rights. She travels annually to legislative conferences in Des Moines and Washington, D.C,, and currently serves as the REALTOR® organization’s Federal Political Coordinator for Congressman Randy Feenstra,” said Vakulskas.

A strong supporter of the REALTOR® Party, Jansen is a major investor in the REALTOR® Political Action Committee, reflecting her firm commitment to the industry and protection of private property rights.

Outside of real estate, Jansen is dedicated to community service. She is a member of the Sioux Center Health Executive Board and the Ignite Leadership Committee. Active as a 4-H Club Leader and FFA Alumni Board President, Jansen has also previously served on the Sioux Center Chamber of Commerce Executive Board. A graduate of Leadership Sioux Center, Jansen invests in the community through volunteer work in a variety of organizations that support youth and families. She also spends time engaging at local schools and colleges, providing learning opportunities for students interested in the real estate industry. She is actively involved in her church and numerous civic organizations.

Under Jansen’s leadership, Epic Realty received the “Best in the Northwest” award for two consecutive years, with Jansen herself being honored as the region’s “Best REALTOR®”.

Alongside winners from other states, Jansen will be recognized at the National Association of REALTORS® membership convention taking place this November in Anaheim, California.

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Update on Black Knight Security

By Kerri | August 18, 2023 | Comments Off on Update on Black Knight Security

In response to a cyber attack recently targeting MLS systems in the United States, the following information was provided by Black Knight, provider of our Paragon MLS system.

August 17, 2023

Black Knight is aware of the recent cyber security news impacting a major MLS system provider. The security and integrity of Black Knight products, services and your data are paramount.

Black Knight has mature Information Security, Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery programs. The Black Knight ransomware strategy includes detective, preventive and recovery capabilities. These capabilities include, but are not limited to  24  x 7 security monitoring, anti-phishing protections, malware detection, multi factor authentication, offsite backups, encryption strategies and numerous network perimeter controls. 

In addition to our already robust security programs, Black Knight has taken additional precautions specifically designed to mitigate the risks associated with the current news and we would like to assure our partners that we are taking all of the necessary steps to prevent these events from affecting our operations. These additional precautions will remain in place until confirmation is received and we can verify that the threat has been eliminated.

In the near future we will be hosting a webinar, featuring our leadership and security team leaders to cover this information and answer any questions you may have.

An additional communication will be sent in the next several days with the webinar information.

Black Knight 

Enhancements to Paragon: Version 5.95

By Kerri | June 9, 2023 | Comments Off on Enhancements to Paragon: Version 5.95

Paragon has added several enhancements to the NWIA MLS with their latest software update to version 5.95. All enhancements are designed to help you navigate through the system and enhance your experience with Paragon.  Find a list of the enhancements regarding the new features here on our website.

The Paragon MLS Facebook site is also a great place to find the latest news, updates and tips and trick for working in the MLS system.

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Enhancements to Paragon: Version 5.94

By Kerri | March 29, 2023 | Comments Off on Enhancements to Paragon: Version 5.94

Paragon has added several enhancements to the NWIA MLS with their latest software update to version 5.94. All enhancements are designed to help you navigate through the system and enhance your experience with Paragon.  Find a list of the enhancements regarding the new features here on our website.

The Paragon MLS Facebook site is also a great place to find the latest news, updates and tips and trick for working in the MLS system.

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ShowingTime – Member Training Schedule

By Kerri | March 17, 2023 | Comments Off on ShowingTime – Member Training Schedule

NWIA is pleased to offer ShowingTime as a new service for our members. Launch of this new tool is expected to take place on March 22. In order to maximize your understanding and provide tools to get started, there will be short online training sessions (free) for all members. We highly encourage ALL members to take advantage of this opportunity.

The recommendation is to register for both a Basics session and the Offer Manager session. Each topic will be covered three times to fit your schedule, choose what works best for you. Each will have the same information.

All webinars are just 30 minutes in length. Short, sweet, and enough to get you started with this fantastic new tool!


APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING & QUICK START BASICS TRAINING by ShowingTime

  • Tuesday, March 21st at 11:00am
  • Wednesday, March 22nd at 9:00am
  • Thursday, March 23rd at 2:00pm

Basics Class Training Registration Link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/4998916850611780191


OFFER MANAGER TRAINING by ShowingTime

  • Tuesday, March 21st at 3:00pm
  • Wednesday, March 22nd at 1:00pm
  • Friday, March 24th at 10:00am

Offer Manager Training Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/8345686209538915927

More information about Offer Manager is available here.

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Update SentriLock App to Version 5.31.0

By Kerri | March 14, 2023 | Comments Off on Update SentriLock App to Version 5.31.0

NWIA has recently been notified that SentriLock has a new update which is requiring all outdated versions of the mobile app be updated to the latest version. If not already updated, the SentriKey Real Estate™ App is now forcing all users to update to the current version as of March 13, 2023. Agents should check the functionality of their app, and run an update if necessary.  The app will not function until it is updated.

App update steps are as follows:

For Android Users:

  • Open the Google Play Store app.
  • At the top right, tap the profile icon.
  • Tap Settings > Network Preferences > Auto-update apps.
  • Select an option: Over any network to update apps using either Wi-Fi or mobile data. Over Wi-Fi only to update apps only when connected to Wi-Fi.

For iPhone Users:

  • Tap your profile.
  • Perform a swipe-down gesture to initiate a scan for the latest app updates.
  • Tap the Update button next to an app to update it. Or tap Update All to apply all available app updates.

Agents who cannot complete the update and need to access properties will need to request a one day code from the listing agent, or contact SentriKey via the phone icon in the app and request assistance from lockbox customer support. Lockbox support can also be reached at (513) 756-2407.

If you have any questions, reach out to the NWIA board office.

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Paragon Updates: Release 5.93

By Kerri | February 16, 2023 | Comments Off on Paragon Updates: Release 5.93

Paragon has added several enhancements to the NWIA MLS with their latest software update to version 5.93. All enhancements are designed to help you navigate through the system and enhance your experience with Paragon.  Find a list of the enhancements and links to view videos or PDFs of the new features here on our website.

The Paragon MLS Facebook site is also a great place to find the latest news, updates and tips and trick for working in the MLS system.

Denise

Denise Gutierrez Named Next NWIA CEO

By Kerri | January 9, 2023 | Comments Off on Denise Gutierrez Named Next NWIA CEO

Smiling woman in blue shirt with long hair to shouldersThe Northwest Iowa Regional Board of Realtors has announced the hiring of Denise Gutierrez as the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer.

Gutierrez brings 18 years of extensive administrative experience to the organization. She spent 14 years in the credit card industry and has been engaged in auto finance for the past four years. She holds an accounting degree from NECC.

Gutierrez says, “Realtors are key to having a vibrant community, and I admire their role as defenders of homeownership and private property rights. I am thrilled to embrace this new opportunity and look forward to working with so many fantastic people across the northwest quadrant of the state.”

Outside of work, she is involved with the PTA and volunteers her time with area youth sports programs. When the weather is nice, her family enjoys spending time together outdoors.

Gutierrez will succeed Kelly Burge, who has served as the organization’s CEO for the last 24 years.  Burge will soon step down to enjoy full-time retirement.

Denise can be reached by calling the NWIA office at (712) 255-8810, or by email at [email protected].

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Paragon Updates: Release 5.92

By Kerri | December 12, 2022 | Comments Off on Paragon Updates: Release 5.92

Paragon has added several enhancements to the NWIA MLS with their latest software update to version 5.92. All enhancements are designed to help you navigate through the system and enhance your experience with Paragon.  Find a list of the enhancements and links to view videos or PDFs of the new features here on our website.

The Paragon MLS Facebook site is also a great place to find the latest news, updates and tips and trick for working in the MLS system.