News & Past Hot Tips

UPDATE AS OF 10:00 AM: The change to the open house module is currently being processed. We will update this post once it is complete.

Effective Tuesday, November 5th, we will be enhancing how open houses and broker opens are entered and searched for within Paragon. In short, you will now add open houses and broker opens (tours) from the listing input & maintenance screen or from the Select an Action menu:

This enhancement will:

• Allow you to enter more than two open houses at a time
• Allow you to take advantage of open house alerts to consumers via Collaboration Center
• Put all upcoming open houses and broker opens front and center via the home page Market Monitor
• Streamline workflow and allow downstream vendors easier and more uniform access to open house data (all vendors were notified of changes on 10/11)

Active open houses on November 5 will be automatically moved to the new Open House module, so there will be no need to re-enter what is already in Paragon.

Click here for detailed instructions on this new enhancement

There are two types of days on market (DOM) counts in the MLS:

• DOM = the number of days an individual MLS # has been actively marketed (Active, Offer-Bump, or Offer-Show status). The DOM resets each time a new MLS # is entered.
• CDOM = the cumulative number of days a property has been actively marketed. This includes the DOM from previous MLS #s. The CDOM will only reset if a property is off-market for at least 31 days between listings.

A few notes:

• To ensure a DOM count of 0, a listing must be entered on the list date.
• Days on market do not accumulate while a listing is in Delayed, Withdrawn by Seller, or Offer-No Show status.
• In order to enter a new MLS #, a new listing contract must be secured (an amendment does not suffice). If a new listing contract is not obtained, the new listing will be deleted and a fine of $50 will be assessed.

When you’re looking at a listing with a lot of documents that you want to print out, there is a way to print all of them at once. This can be done from a report view called ConnectView. If you are looking at the Agent Full view in Paragon, click the the green Reports button and choose ConnectView. If you don’t see ConnectView under Favorites it will be under Specialty Views.

Scroll down and click the Documents bar to show all the attached documents. At the top right there is a Print PDF button.

Clicking this will allow you to combine some or all of the documents into a single PDF file, which you can then print or save.

When viewing a listing in Paragon, the correction button can be found in the toolbar directly above the listing information:

In Paragon Connect, it can be found within the three-dot menu in the upper right corner:

You can use CubiCasa floor plans to easily create an interactive virtual tour for your listing. After making your scan, purchase the Plus or Plus 3D plan at a 25% member discount. Then upload your listing photos and CubiCasa will automatically place them on the floor plan and create an interactive tour. You will get a link to the tour to add to your listing.

Click here to see an example, and for more information.

Are you tired of reading about the rules? Then check out our “fun” video that explains what you need to know about entering new listings (in under 2 minutes!):

The responsive design of Paragon’s new Collaboration Center provides a robust and seamless experience across all devices—smartphone, laptop, tablet, or desktop. Agents can quickly set up personalized buyer and seller portals with rich content and an interactive dashboard. Through their personalized portal, buyers can:

• View new matches, changes, and agent-recommended listings
• Mark homes as favorites, possible, or rejected
• Add comments, compare, and tag listings
• Communicate easily and request showings with their agent
• Search homes and save searches (if enabled by agent)
• Use a mortgage calculator

The portal also includes local property data (schools, history, transport, restaurants, etc.), and agents can track buyer activity in real time.

Click here for an updated list of schools by county & district for the 2024-2025 school year.

In response to intermittent issues with mobile carriers blocking SMS/text notifications, ShowingTime recently implemented a new opt-in feature to ensure more seamless message delivery. To continue receiving important updates and key listing notifications, please take a few moments to confirm you have opted-in to receive SMS text messages from ShowingTime.

Complete the opt-in process: When a new mobile number is added to ShowingTime, or after 60 days of inactivity for an existing mobile number, ShowingTime will send an opt-in text message. It will state: “You’re in! Stay updated on your listing appointments. Reply START to receive SMS notifications from ShowingTime. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to unsubscribe.” You must reply “START” to complete the opt-in process.

• Texts will be paused until ShowingTime receives confirmation. Once confirmed, messages that were not sent while waiting for the opt-in will be delivered.
• The prompt will be resent after 60 & 120 days to ensure receipt. If there is no response, or the recipient replies with STOP, the mobile number will be marked as “Do Not Send” and no further text notifications will be sent to that number.
• If you’re not receiving text messages, or you inadvertently opted out, text “START” to 847-865-6549 to opt in at any time.

We also suggest downloading the ShowingTime mobile app. Clients can also download the Home by ShowingTime app to stay informed throughout their buying or selling journey. For more ShowingTime information and to download the mobile apps visit:

SCWMLS ShowingTime Page

SCWMLS Supra eKEY users automatically have access to Central Wisconsin and LaCrosse Area MLS Supra keyboxes. In addition, they can request access to Supra keyboxes in the Northeast WI MLS by contacting our office. You can check to see which MLS’s your eKEY is currently programmed to access by clicking the right arrow (>) next to “South Central Wisconsin MLS” within the orange bar located near the top of your Supra eKEY app home page. More information on accessing keyboxes in other areas can be found here.  

Highlights Include:  

We are excited to share that SCWMLS members can once again click to schedule showings through Paragon for Metro MLS listings (MM prefix).  This integration utilizes Metro’s showing service, Aligned Showings.

The Aligned Showings icon looks like this: and can be found in the same location as our ShowingTime link.  This integration has been turned on in the main SCWMLS database. Each member will be required to accept an end user agreement when accessing the software for the first time. Aligned Showings has not yet been turned on in the WIREX database.

Scheduling a Showing via Aligned Showings is Easy

1. From the agent full report in Paragon, click to access a calendar.  Within Paragon Connect, click Aligned Showings within the list of integrated products.
2. Click the date for your showing request, the type of showing, and click Next.
3. You will be presented with available times. Drag the time bar to select the time you would like. Showings are set for 30 minutes by default. You can change this by accessing a drop down on the right of the time bar.  Click Next.
4. Enter a message, if you would like, before sending your request. This may be a good time to request keybox access. Click Send.
5. Watch for confirmation via email.

We understand your time is valuable and appreciate your patience as we worked on this new integration.  If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to support@wisre.com.

When entering the above grade, below grade, and total square footage fields for a new listing, only include space that is finished. To be considered finished, the following components are needed:

1. Heat source
2. Finished walls
3. Finished ceiling
4. Finished flooring

If one component is missing, the space can still be counted as finished, but the missing component must be disclosed in the public remarks. If two or more components are missing, the space cannot be counted as finished. The room dimensions section should only include finished rooms. More detail can be found within this helpful guide.

Now is the perfect time to prioritize your safety

According to the 2023 REALTOR® Safety Survey, 56,000 REALTORS® were crime victims while on the job, and 322,000 reported feeling unsafe. To help reduce risks and give agents the ability to learn more about new prospects quickly, we offer members access to FOREWARN. This user-friendly app verifies identity and provides key details in seconds before meeting new prospects. Sign up today!

You can also join a monthly FOREWARN training session to learn how to maximize the app, get tips, and participate in a live Q&A.

We are pleased to announce the SCWMLS and the Greater La Crosse Area MLS recently approved an automatic reciprocal arrangement which allows members of both MLSs automatic access to Supra keyboxes in each other’s market. Agents no longer need to request reciprocal access to show properties listed via the Greater La Crosse Area MLS. We also have an automatic reciprocal arrangement with Central WI MLS. As is the case in our MLS, an approved showing request is required before opening a Supra keybox from any other MLS.

For more information on accessing properties in cooperating areas throughout Wisconsin, click here.

When entering a listing, it is good practice to always check for correct map placement. This should be done for all new listings, but is particularly important for properties that do not have an established mailing address, such as new construction or vacant land. This will ensure the listing is found in map-based searches & matched with the maximum number of buyers. Click here for detailed instructions & a helpful video tutorial on how to verify & adjust mapping on your listings in Paragon.

We recently shared best practices on setting up and editing criteria for a property search in the Collaboration Center (click here to read). The Collaboration Center also provides your clients the ability to share properties they found when doing their own searches with you.

It’s important to educate clients on how to share listings that they may be interested in to ensure a smooth, efficient sharing process. While it’s easy to reflexively copy and paste a URL address from the browser address bar and send it off in an email, that approach does not work from the Collaboration Center. It results in a URL that cannot be accessed.

​Clients should always use the share function within the Collaboration Center to send a clickable link quickly and effectively. Here’s is the step-by-step process for sharing from the property detail view and the map view (click to enlarge):

Finding the perfect home for those with specific accessibility needs can be difficult. Whether seeking a step-free entry, wide doorways, or grab bars in the bathroom, there are ways to make finding accessible properties in the MLS easier.

When listing a property with accessibility features, please consider completing & uploading the WRA’s Basic (2 page) or Standard (5 page) Accessibility Features Report to the MLS. These reports provide information that is helpful to buyers who may have disabilities or are planning to age in place.

Additionally, please utilize the Accessibility Features category in the MLS to highlight these features and make them easily searchable for buyers. Doing so helps ensure that accessible listings stand out to those who need the features most.