Here in beautiful Ventura County, we definitely don't have a shortage of establishments hosting Game Day festivities. That's why we wanted to break down some of our absolute standouts! If you're still looking for a favorite haunt this Sunday, let us lend a hand. Read on!

If you haven't yet noticed, the Daily Digest emails have become empty shells with no events and data. Unfortunately there is not an 'off' button for our MC to disable all emails from this system, but with a few quick steps you can manage your preferences.  

Click any of the blue 'go to' links in the email, you may be prompted to login in to myKW.
​Or, you can select myMarket Center Intranet from myKW.KW.com login page

Select the settings gear icon in the upper-right corner. 

Navigate to My Preferences, Email & Notification Preferences.

Scroll down to Email Digests and choose Never and Update Frequency.

You've rid yourself of these pesky empty emails. Now you can be sure to get connected with our new Calendar following the steps here. 

We want you to be in the know when it comes to training classes, meetings and events here at KWWVC. Here are a few steps you can take to connect your google account to our calendar. The following steps are shown on desktop device. Mobile iOS devices will require manual entry into their settings this can be viewed in another article.

Visit our Calendar page and click the subscribe button.

Sign in to your Google account; this could be a personal gmail account or your @kw.com account. If you are unsure about your password for your @kw.com account or for help on resetting it, please view this article.

If you are already signed in to your preferred account, proceed to step three. 

Agree to add our KWWVC Events Calendar to your account.

Personalize it! This is optional, but you can hover over the calendar in the left-hand side and select the three vertical dots for more options. From here you can personalize your notifications to your preference and much more. 

Now you'll be in the know as to events going on here at the office. 

It's that time again... Changes to CAR forms prompt us to update our templates. You can follow the steps and images outlined below to update your Templates or if you prefer a real-time video visit our other blog post.

1. Download the Updated ZipFile
Select your office location and download the zipfile to your computer. The only difference between the files is the Office Address located in the cover page. You can find the files under our Resource Page under the RESOURCES > DRIVE DOCUMENTS > CAR ZipForms > Zipped Template Files.

2. Remove Old Templates
While in ZipForms and viewing the Template Tab remove any old templates to clear the way for your new ones. You may wish to leave your Cover Templates to save a bit of data entry. 

3. Import Your ZipFile
Select Import and locate the ZipFile you recently downloaded items. Select 'OK' to import the file and then 'Yes' to confirm that you are uploading more than one zipped file. Now wait while it processes! Do not be tempted to click 'OK' again otherwise the file will be duplicated and you will end up with extra copies of templates... not fun.

4. Delete the Extra Cover Sheet 
To save yourself some data entry, you'll want to use your older coversheet that already has your name, license and contact info completed. You will want to delete the recently imported Cover Templates that are blank to keep things clean. Pay attention to the 'Modified' column to make sure you're deleting the most recent version of the Cover templates.

5. Apply Covers Templates 
Play Match-Maker by applying a Cover Template to each Transaction Template. Listing Cover with Listing Templates... Purchase Cover with Purchase Templates.  Be sure to also add a Purchase Cover to your Buyers Representation Template as well. Working from the bottom tends to be easiest as the most recently edited templates move to the top of the list once completed.

 6. Edit Template Details to Auto-Apply
For the Three Listing Templates (Standard, Manufactured, Vacant Land, and Lease) and 3 Purchase Templates (Standard, Manufactured and Vacant Land) use the drop down arrow to select 'Template Details' and select the middle option under 'Auto Apply' so that this template will automatically be applied to every matching Agreement & Property Type.

When was the last time you Googled yourself and words Realtor, Real Estate or Agent? Chances are your profile on KW.com was the first result that came up. But does the information look accurate? Did you click on the 'Visit My Website' only to find out it was showing some archaic eAgentC website, or something else entirely? Or did you not even know that this site existed? 

​We'll take a look at where this information is fed from and review a few tips on how you spruce up your KW.com profile page.

1. Review your information in KW White Pages
​The majority of the information displayed on your KW Profile is fed from your White Pages profile. Take a moment to review and complete the information fields. If something doesn't apply, there is no need to enter a value just to complete the field; your profile may not show as 100% complete to you - but it's better to have accurate information rather that fields that say 'NA' or '...". Your profile % only shows to you.  Be sure to SAVE your changes at the bottom before exiting. 

2. Boost Your Profile with a YouTube Video
The YouTube URL field in White Pages allows for a YouTube video to be displayed on your profile page. This a great spot for a Biography, Team or Mobile App video. Follow the instructions listed below the field. Please note that the video cannot be privately listed, it must be viewable to the public in order show on your KW.com profile. You will likely need to manually remove the 's' in the HTTPS prefix part of the URL, in order for the data to save in White Pages. 

3. Promote the Right Website
This is where we replace that funky old eAgentC website with something a bit better. Likely you'll use your KW a.k.a. Placester Website address for the 'Visit My Website' link, or some other website of your choosing. To change this we'll select the + sign next to myMarketing and choose Edit eAgentC Website. We'll then navigate to section 2.0, then select section 2.4 for Site Info. Be sure under the Hosting header that the Website to Display has the second bubble checked for 'Alternate'. Then in the Alternate website field enter your the full URL for the website of your choice and SAVE changes.

1. Either start a 'Map Search' or View the 'Map' tab from within a search.

2. Click on the 'Red Push Pin' in the bottom right corner of the screen.

3. Enter the subject property address and select 'Locate'.

4. Adjust the location of the 'Push Pin' if needed, then select 'Use This Location' to confirm the placement on the map.

5. If you would like to perform a 'Radius Search', make that selection and enter in your preferred distance.

This function is a great way to start your search for comparable properties; just be sure to refine your results using the the additional criteria on the left (square ft, bed, bath, status...)

What was once a paid app is now FREE! Now you can manage your eEdge CRM on the go in an easy user friendly mobile app in just a few easy steps.  

Never be without again! Always have your database at the tips of your fingers at any moment - add or update contacts, add them to existing campaigns, manage your email, reminders and more... 

All too often I receive forwarded emails from worried agents who suspect their email accounts have been 'hacked' when in reality they have been a target of a phishing or spear-phishing attack. Phishing is the practice of sending emails that appear to be from reputable companies or contacts in an effort to obtain personal information from the recipient; passwords, credit cards or the like. Spear-Phishing takes it up a notch, in which the emails appear to be from a known or trusted sender and thus lower the guard of their target individuals in hopes that they reveal confidential information.

​In either case, the target had not been 'hacked' but unknowingly volunteered the sensitive information or passwords to the Phisher. Often times falling victim to a Phishing attempt in which they attacker successfully obtained your email password will allow the Phisher to them use your account to conduct Spear-Phishing on other users. 

Real Estate agents are perfect targets with their personal information listed online and a desire to quickly respond to leads. With Phishing on the rise, how can you protect yourself? 

That all-cash 1.5 million dollar buyer looking to write a offer that same day and who provided a link to their itemized list of criteria with no phone number or reference to a property... you guessed it - is probably fake. If it feels to good to be true it likely is. Your gut feeling is usually right when something feels off, trust that and proceed with caution. You know who you've been doing business with, who's previewed your property, what your contacts typically sound like when they correspond with you, what the 'norm' is for inquiries from clients... TRUST YOUR GUT! 

1. Don't respond to emails that request personal or financial information. Banks or e-commerce companies generally personalize emails, while phishers do not. Phishers often include false but sensational messages, (e.g. "Urgent - your account details may have been stolen") in order to get an immediate reaction. Reputable companies don't ask their customers for passwords or account details in an email. Even if you think the email may be legitimate, don't respond. Contact the company by phone or by visiting their website. Pick up the phone and speak to a real person, or type the URL in yourself by hand rather than clicking a link in a suspicious email.
2. Do not click on links, download files or open attachments in email from unknown senders. Always be cautious about opening attachments and downloading files from emails, no matter who they are from. Call the individual and confirm they sent you attachments if you question their authenticity. 
3. Beware of the “From” email name. A favorite phishing tactic among cybercriminals is to spoof the From/display name of an email. More than half of 760,000 email threats targeting 40 of the world’s largest brands! Here’s how it works: If a fraudster wanted to spoof the hypothetical brand “Acme Bank,” the email may look something like:
   
   To: You <you.name@kw.com>
   From: Acme Bank<customerservice@secure.com> 
   Subject: Suspicious Login Attempt
   
   While Acme Bank doesn’t own “secure.com” this email still appears legitimate because most user inboxes only present the display name (Acme Bank). Don’t trust the display name. Check the full email address — if it looks suspicious, don’t open the email.
4. Check to ensure the website you are visiting is secure. Before submitting your personal or other sensitive information, there are a couple of checks you can do to help ensure the site uses encryption to protect your personal data.
   - Check the web address in the address bar. If the website you are visiting is on a secure server it should start with "https://" ("s" for security) rather than the usual "http://."
   - Also look for a lock icon on the browser's status bar. You can check the level of encryption, expressed in bits, by hovering over the icon with your cursor.
   - Pay attention to the URL of a website. Malicious websites may look identical to a legitimate site, but the URL may use a variation in spelling or a different domain (e.g., .com vs. .net). 
   -Note that the fact that the website is using encryption doesn't necessarily mean that the website is legitimate. It only tells you that data is being sent in encrypted form.
5. Be extremely cautious with passwords, personal data, and emails. Most banks have a security page on their website with information on carrying out safe transactions, as well as the usual advice relating to personal data. 
   - Never share your pin numbers or passwords with anyone.
   - Do not use the same password for all your online accounts.
   - Change your passwords every 90 days.
   - Avoid opening or replying to spam emails, as this will give the sender confirmation they have reached a live address.
   - Use common sense when reading emails. If something seems implausible or too good to be true, then it probably is.
6. Keep your computer secure. Some phishing emails or other spam may contain software that can record information on your internet activities (spyware) or open a 'backdoor' to allow hackers access to your computer (Trojans). Installing antivirus software and keeping it up to date will help detect and disable malicious software, while using anti-spam software will stop phishing emails from reaching you. 
7. Always beware of urgent or threatening language in the subject line. Invoking a sense of urgency or fear is a common phishing tactic. Beware of subject lines that claim your “account has been suspended” or your account had an “unauthorized login attempt”.
8. Always review the “signature block” of an email. Lack of details about the signer or how you can contact a company strongly suggests a phish. Legitimate, reputable businesses always provide contact details.
9. Check for spelling mistakes. Reputable, legitimate brands are pretty serious about email. Legitimate messages usually do not have major spelling mistakes or poor grammar. Read your emails carefully and report anything that seems suspicious.
10. Analyze email salutations. Is the email addressed to a vague “Valued Customer”? If so, watch out—legitimate businesses will often use a personal salutation with your first and last name.
11. Always report suspicious activity. If you receive an email that appears in any way to be a phishing attack, report it to the the local IT person (support@kw.com) immediately and any other chain of command for security incident escalation right away.

For more information on how to recognize and avoid phishing attacks check out this info-graphic.

Do you need to catch up on FLEX MLS training?  Below are the previously recorded webinar links to get you up to speed and ready for the 'go live' date of December 13th. 

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