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What customers are saying
Cyberhomes is a great affiliate partner that helps our agents provide information their customers are looking for - in a very robust and easy-to-use format. They’re providing a content need that the agent cannot meet themselves. And Cyberhomes is very strong at looking how they can work with their affiliate partners to help them grow their business. Our relationship with them has been a tremendous one as far as common goals and reciprocation." - David Therrien, CTO, Kellar Williams Realty
“Cyberhomes provides products and services that consumers want and consumers need, and they do it in concert with agents and brokers. They’ve made it easy for the consumer to find the value of their house, to find listings, and to find agents and brokers. They’ve been able to take their advertising down to the zip code level or city level, which has been very valuable in driving traffic to our customers.” - Russ Bergeron, CEO, Southern California MLS
“The challenge we’ve always had with consumers is reaching them. That’s why we want to leverage and partner with companies like Cyberhomes so as they can actually be part of our strategy of driving traffic to the internet.” - Rob Cook, Chairman, HAR
“We use cyberhomes as a tool to help provide valuable insight into the home that our buyers are looking at when they look at a property. We think that its a great partnership with cyberhomes, we’re glad to see that companies in real estate are investing in technology and investing in tools that are oriented at making consumers smartert and better partners in the process.” - Patrick Lashinsky, President & CEO, Zip Realty
“Our philosophy is to work with the best in the business for whatever applications and needs that are important to consumers or to our agents, and Cyberhomes fit the bill as far as sharing our listings and with their home valuation API.” - Kaira Rouda, President, Real Living
1. What is the Cyberhomes Affiliate Program?
The Cyberhomes Affiliate Program creates partnerships between MLSs and Brokers who license data to Cyberhomes. These partnerships will allow the partners to participate in the offering of various products and services to their members or agents. Cyberhomes Local Ads is the first product offered under this program.
2. What is the cost of participating in your Affiliate Program?
Free!
3. What are the benefits of participating in your Affiliate Program?
The benefits will vary from product offerings, and the first product offered under the program is the Cyberhomes Local Ads. Affiliates have the opportunity to sell this product at a 17% discount over the price sold via www.Cyberhomes.com; plus, they receive a 5% revenue share.
4. Is there a minimum sales level we have to maintain?
No minimums are required, but we do require our affiliates to actively engage in communicating and promoting the product.
5. What kind of commitment do I have to make to participate?
We have a standard Affiliate Agreement that explains the terms completely. While we have no minimum sales requirements, we do require that you market and communicate the product. The agreement may be terminated by either party at any time; there is no long term commitment to participate.
6. Who is the Affiliate Program open to?
The Affiliate Program is available to anyone who has a Third Party Data Access Agreement with Cyberhomes to directly provide us with data.
7. Is it possible for me to have an exclusive affiliate offering in my market?
No. The Affiliate Program is open to anyone who has a Third Party Data Access Agreement with Cyberhomes.
8. As an MLS, am I going to be competing with my members as an Affiliate?
Since we don’t offer exclusivity, it is possible that Brokers within a geographic territory may also be affiliates, if they have a Third Party Data Access Agreement with Cyberhomes.
9. As a broker, am I going to be competing with my agents as an Affiliate?
No. Only Brokers/Associations/MLSs/Franchisors who have a Third Party Data Access Agreement with Cyberhomes are eligible to be Affiliate Partners.
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10. Are there other Affiliates in my market?
The number of Affiliates in any market will vary. We do not offer any market exclusivity, and the program is open to all who qualify.
11. How much inventory is available in my market?
The order process provides inventory in each zip code, and also displays available inventory in surrounding zip codes. Your Regional Sales Manager can provide more information.
12. Will you help me market this program?
Yes! Cyberhomes is your partner and will provide you with marketing support. Once your Affiliate Partner Agreement has been implemented, we will provide your marketing department with a kit to get you started on promoting Cyberhomes Local Ads.
13. What kinds of materials are available to promote Cyberhomes Local Ads?
We have ad copy, press releases, newsletter/magazine articles, flyer templates, HTML emails, and more.
14. Is there an administrative process that lets me see the real time activity on my affiliate program?
Yes, you can view local ad performance reports at www.cyberhomespro.com.
15. Do I get paid only on zip codes in my area?
No, you get paid for ads purchased through your website/link or on ads purchased using your unique affiliate code.
16. What kind of revenue can I expect?
It depends on the market, and your marketing efforts. We can provide details on the inventory in a particular market, but you are not limited to earning a revenue share strictly from zips in your market, so the potential is not limited.
17. Will you guarantee that my agents’ or members purchases be charged against my affiliate account regardless of where they place their order?
No, your agents or members will need to input your affiliate code, or place the order via a plug-in on your website, which can be set up to pass on the affiliate code.
18. Will you set up links for me on my website or online store?
We will provide links and widgets for you or your webmaster to incorporate into your website.
19. How often do I receive revenue share checks?
You will receive checks quarterly.
20. What is the reporting and auditing opportunity to assure the accounting and payments are correct?
Online reporting will be available on www.cyberhomespro.com.
21. Who should agents or members contact if they have questions or problems?
Agents or members can contact our Customer Care organization at customercare@cyberhomes.com or call 888.265.9172.
22. Exactly what is a “Cyberhomes Local Ad?"
A Cyberhomes Local Ad is a new advertising product designed to allow real estate agents and brokers to promote themselves and their services to consumers searching a specific zip code on Cyberhomes.com. The ads are displayed prominently at the top of the page to a targeted zip Fidelity National Real Estate Solutions Page 2
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code. They are easy to set up—it takes less than 5 minutes—and you can upload your own image or use an auto-generated house ad. The ads are sold on a subscription, month-to-month basis, no confusing pay-per-click or long term commitments. The available inventory is limited in each zip code based on households in the zip code, and varies from 4 ad spaces to 12 ad spaces. The price of the ads is $59.00 per month, or $49.00 if purchased from an Affiliate Partner.
23. How do I get it?
Cyberhomes local ads can be purchased on-line directly from www.cyberhomespro.com. The ads are purchased via a self-serve widget, payable with a major credit card. Ads can also be purchased from any MLS or Broker who participates in the Cyberhomes Affiliate Partner Program.
24. What is the cost?
Cyberhomes Local Ads are affordably priced at $59.00 per month, or $49.00 if purchased from an Affiliate Partner. When compared to other targeted marketing programs or local newspaper text ads, this is a terrific value.
25. What are the terms?
Local ads are sold on a fixed-rate, subscription basis—unlike pay-per-click limits, your ad will display all month as many times as possible for a simple fixed price. The subscription is set up to bill monthly, and the purchaser can set the subscription to continue, or to expire at the end of the current billing cycle.
26. Who will this advertising reach?
The ads will appear whenever a consumer requests pages on a property within the zip code shared by the ad. Note, however, the ads WILL NOT appear on a listing detail page of a property that is currently designated as an active listing (for sale) on Cyberhomes.
27. How is this different from a Featured Home on REALTOR.com®?
This advertising is excellent for building brand awareness to an extremely targeted audience, and is not designed to feature a particular property or listing.
28. How is this different from a Featured Agent/Office ad on REALTOR.com®?
This ad reaches a very targeted audience based on zip code, and is priced accordingly.
29. What is this kind of advertising good for?
This is an excellent tool for an agent to electronically “farm†an area.
30. Will someone else’s ad appear on a page on Cyberhomes with my listing on it?
No, Cyberhomes Local Ads are suppressed from the “detailed listing†page of all properties that are actively listed (for sale) in the Cyberhomes database. The ads are also suppressed from all co-branded versions of Cyberhomes that appear on brokers’ websites.
31. Can I buy an entire zip code?
Certainly! While there are a limited number of Local Ads in each zip code, there are no limits on the number of ads an individual may purchase.
32. How many REALTORS® will be able to advertise in a particular zip code?
All ads are offered on a first-come, first-sold basis. The number of adds available in a zip code varies from four to 12, depending on the number of households within that zip code. The total inventory, and the currently available inventory, can be found on www.cyberhomespro.com
33. What are the specifications for the advertisement?
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Cyberhomes Local Ads measure 180 x 90 pixels. You may run a text-based ad through a simple self-serve module or upload your own image-based ad in .jpeg or .gif format. You can change the ad at any time; there is no charge to change a format. Please note, however, that all ads must adhere to the Cyberhomes Editorial Guidelines. Details can be found at http://localads.cyberhomespro.com/Guideline.aspx.
34. Do I have to make a long-term commitment?
No. The commitment is a monthly subscription, which can be terminated at any time.
35. How do I get my ad designed?
The self-service widget lets you create a text-based ad or upload your own image-based ad in .jpeg or .gif format.
36. Do these ads display on AOL?
No, they do not display directly on AOL, but the ads do display when consumers are redirected from AOL to Cyberhomes.
37. Do these ads display on Googlebase?
No, they do not display directly on Googlebase, but the ads do display when consumers are redirected from Googlebase to Cyberhomes.
38. Do these ads display on the Wall Street Journal website?
No, they do not display directly on WSJ.com, but the ads do display when consumers are redirected from WSJ.com to Cyberhomes.
39. How do I pay?
All purchases are made with a major credit card.
40. How do I know whether it’s working?
First, you may view your ad on www.cyberhomes.com immediately after purchase by searching your zip code. Secondly, you may review a weekly performance report at www.cyberhomespro.com.
41. Are you going to call or email me to buy more if I try it and don’t like it?
No.
42. If I buy this from my broker will I get a better price?
You might. The purchase price from our Affiliate Partners is $49.00 per month; a 17% discount over the price directly from Cyberhomes. Check with your broker to see if he or she is enrolled in the program.
43. If I buy this from my MLS or Association will I get a better price?
You might. The purchase price from our Affiliate Partners is $49.00 per month; a 17% discount over the price directly from Cyberhomes. Check with your MLS or Association to see if they’re enrolled in the program.
44. What if I want to change my ad in the middle of the month?
You may change your ad as often as you wish; there are no restrictions or charges.
45. What if my credit card reaches the limit or expires during the month, will you cancel my ad?
If your card is about to expire, our system will generate an email 45 days before the next billing date, and again at 10 days before, and ask you to update your credit card information in your profile on www.cyberhomespro.com. If the credit card transaction fails on the renewal date, Fidelity National Real Estate Solutions Page 4
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our system will notify you of the failure via email and hold your ad for 24 hours before releasing the inventory.
46. How long does it take to set up a local ad?
Less than 5 minutes!
47. Why would I advertise here instead of the newspaper?
Cyberhomes Local Ads provide a more targeted audience. People who are looking at Cyberhomes are homeowners, buyers and/or sellers researching the real estate market. Only a small percentage of newspaper readers are actively seeking real estate information.
48. How will I keep track of my orders and renewals?
You may view your subscriptions any time at www.cyberhomespro.com in the “My Profile†area. You may change the ad or subscription by clicking the “Subscription Info†button the the “My Profile†page.
49. Can I cancel at any time?
Absolutely! There is no contract you upload your Ad and pay a monthly fee. You may cancel your subscription at any time. Note, however, that the subscription will continue to run until you next scheduled billing date. No partial month subscriptions or refunds will be granted.
50. How do I make sure my ads don’t appear on the same page as my competitor?
The only way Cyberhomes can assure your ad will not be paired up with a specific industry is if you buy a minimum of four local ads.
51. Can I advertise if I don’t license listings for display on Cyberhomes?
Yes.
52. What kinds of other advertisers are likely to appear on the same page as my ad?
Home inspectors, Real Estate teams, mortgage brokers, attorneys or title agents, private schools—these are a few examples of potential advertisers.
53. Is it possible for me to define the other advertisers that appear on my page? For example, I might want to restrict lenders and other real estate professionals.
The only way Cyberhomes can assure your ad will not be paired with any other advertiser is if you buy four ads, which will assure you will “own†the page, and all ads will appear together.
54. What if my zip code is sold out? Can I get on a waiting list?
Yes, waiting lists are available.
55. Is it possible to align all my ads so they all expire on the same day?
The system automatically aligns all of your ads to expire on the same day.
56. I have heard about Cyberhomes, but the general public has not. What are your plans to create consumer awareness of Cyberhomes?
2007 was devoted to building our listing content, and further developments to the site, which will continue through the first quarter of 2008. We will launch our public relations campaign in January, and follow that with a major, multi-million advertising campaign in early second quarter. We also continue to grow our traffic by expanding our distribution network, and will have significant announcements on that front in early 2008.
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1. What role does the MLS/Association play in Cyberhomes?
Cyberhomes works with the MLSs to obtain data on several levels, and currently has nearly 2.5
million residential properties licensed for display on the site. Some MLSs license the data directly to
Cyberhomes on behalf of their brokers, others make it available on an opt-out basis, and some provide a
technology service on behalf of their brokers who want to license their data for display on Cyberhomes.
For more information on the options, contact your Regional Sales Manager or email
connectme@cyberhomes.com.
2. Can the MLS/Association add Cyberhomes content to our internal and consumer websites?
Yes. We offer private-labeled and co-branded versions of Cyberhomes for integration with
Association and MLS websites. Your Regional Sales Manager can provide details.
3. Our Board/MLS currently has a Third Party Data License Agreement with FNRES to support
other FNRES products. Will any of our listing data be placed on Cyberhomes automatically?
No. In most cases, the existing Third Party Data License Agreements we have in place with the
MLSs do not allow us to pass data to any other sites without permission from the broker and MLS. We
will request express permission to use MLS-supplied data on Cyberhomes.
4. Our Board/MLS currently has an agreement with FNRES that provides IDX listing data to
support numerous broker members’ Web sites from our MLS. Will our listing data now go to
Cyberhomes automatically?
No.
5. I am an MLS who would like to give permission to FNRES, to place listings on Cyberhomes.
Can I just provide FNRES with a permission form?
Yes, call or email your Regional Sales Manager, or email connectme@cyberhomes.com.
6. Our Board/MLS requires a separate data feed for individual broker listings. How will this new
agreement affect our data transfer to FNRES for the IDX listing feed and the Cyberhomes’
broker feeds?
Fidelity National Real Estate Solutions will be responsible for downloading the individual broker’s
data from your Board/MLS, for placement on Cyberhomes. We will continue to provide the IDX data
download services, as well.
FNRES has the ability to filter broker listings from an existing IDX or RETS feed, to fulfill the data
requirements for both products, which is our preferred method.
7. If there are errors or problems with the listing data, whom do I contact?
Call the Data Aggregation team at (949) 622-4438.
8. How much does Cyberhomes cost?
Cyberhomes is free to MLSs, Associations, brokers, and the consumer. Brokers may place their
listings on Cyberhomes at no charge, and may also incorporate Cyberhomes’s rich content into their own
Web site at no charge, as can MLSs and Associations. Cyberhomes is free to consumers, who can
access 100% of the site’s content without registration.
9. How can Cyberhomes provide this information for free?
We are able to leverage the incredible data assets accumulated and developed by our parent
company, Fidelity National Financial, and our sister company Fidelity National Information Services, so
we have lower ongoing operating costs than many other sites. We have a revenue model that does not
depend on selling products to the real estate industry.
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10. What MLSs and Associations are currently providing their data for display on Cyberhomes?
The following MLSs and Associations have licensed 100% of their data for display on
Cyberhomes:
Ann Arbor, MI, Board of REALTORS®
Baldwin County AL Assoc. of REALTORS®
Bay County Association of REALTORS®
Cape May County Assoc. of REALTORS®
Central Penn MLS
Centralized RE Information Services
Coastal Association of REALTORS®
Coastal Carolinas Assoc. of REALTORS®
Consolidated MLS
Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®
Daytona Beach Area Association
Down River Association of REALTORS®
East Bay Regional MLS
Flint Area Association of REALTORS®
Glendale/Pasadena Assoc. of REALTORS®
Greater Capital Assoc. of REALTORS®
Greater Las Vegas Assoc of REALTORS®
Greater Miami
Hawaii Central MLS
Houston Association of REALTORS®
Intermountain MLS
Jackson Area Assoc of REALTORS®
Jacksonville Board of REALTORS®
Laredo Board of REALTORS®
Lassen Area Assoc of REALTORS®
Long Island Board of REALTORS®
Manhattan MLS
Miami Dade
MidEastern Indiana Board of REALTORS®
Mid Florida-East Polk
Mid Florida-Greater Lake
Mid Florida-Orlando
Mid Florida-Osceola
Mid Florida-West Volusia
Mid Hudson MLS
Nevada County Board of REALTORS®
NNRMLS
Northeast Florida MLS
Northern Ohio Regional MLS
Ocean County Board of REALTORS®
Pinellas Realtor Organization
REALTORS® Assoc of York and Adams
Counties
REALTOR Association of Greater Ft. Myers
& the Beach
Realty MLS
Regional MLS, Palm Beach
Rhode Island MLS
Sandicor
Sanford MLS
Sarasota
Savannah MLS
Shasta Association of REALTORS®
Sierra North Valley MLS
Southeast Florida-Greater Ft. Lauderdale
REALTOR Assoction
Southeast Florida-REALTOR Association of
Miami and the Beaches
Southeast Florida-South Broward
Southern California MLS (SoCal)
Tahoe Sierra Board of REALTORS®
Tehama Association of REALTORS®
Realtor Association of Brevard
Topsail Island Association of REALTORS®
Traverse Area Association of REALTORS®
Ulster County Board of REALTORS®
Venice Area Board of REALTORS®
Victor Valley Association of REALTORS®
Western Kentucky Association of
REALTORS®
Willamette Valley Association of
REALTORS®
We add additional MLSs regularly, as most MLS and Association executives quickly see
the value to their members of additional exposure for their listings, particularly in today’s tough
market. Many other MLSs support their brokers by sending data on behalf of their brokers who
license the data to us, and many of the country’s top brokers and franchises, including Keller
Williams International, Realogy, Weichert REALTORS® and Long and Foster have also licensed
data for display on Cyberhomes.
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