DFW Supra keys

[kweiss]

Do any of the Dallas area Associations offer the SUPRA key to inspectors without the use of the CBS code? If so would the key work in all areas of DFW?

I am tired of paying for the Collin County membership for the sole purpose of having the SUPRA key and then having to go through the hassle of the CBS code. Looking to change.

[John Cahill]

I heard Grand Prarie and Mesquite
For sure Ellis in Waxahachie.
Lewisville in January 2010
MetroTex is dug in; they ain't gonna do it.
I hear they work everywhere

I am changing too.

[Aaron D. Miller]

Lewisville did split with Metro Tex and is still requiring CBS codes. CCAR has made it an option for the listing agents to leave the CBS code with CCS - that's lame. Metro Tex is, as you say, a bit condescending:

Aaron,

The CBS code requirement is for all affiliate keys, not just licensed inspectors. There is currently no separate key type for a licensed inspector vs. any other type of affiliate that may have a key - such as unlicensed real estate assistants, contractors, etc. I understand the difficulty you often find in getting the CBS codes from agents, but there is no excuse for that and we need to do a better job of educating agents on how easy it is for them to get that information (much easier now that in the past).

Since the all associations in North Texas share a common key box system, we have all agreed to have the same access levels for keyholders. A couple of associations that have allowed full access cards for affiliates are in violation of that shared agreement. The other associations, including MetroTex are reviewing policies to see if there is a compromise that can be made.

While you are certainly welcome to change your service to another provider if you feel that best benefits you in the long run, the end result will be that either we all come to a uniform decision or the keys will not work across the entire market area, causing you to get service from multiple providers and I don't think anyone wants that result.


Cindy Miller
Director of Multiple Listing Services
dfwREALTORS.com - The MetroTex Association of REALTORS
8201 N. Stemmons Frwy.
Dallas, Texas 75247
214-637-6660
Phone: 214-540-2755
Direct & Fax: 214-540-2730
Mobile & Text: 214-417-6737
cindym@dfwrealtors.com
www.dfwrealtors.com

I concur with Adair in that all HIs should refuse to pay for key cards until the CBS requirement is removed. But attempting to get Texas HIs to do anything intelligent in concert is a complete wast of time, in my experience.

[kweiss]

Well that sucks.

I will still probably change to one that does not require a CBS code. In the event they start breaking it up and not working all over or requiring multiple memberships for SUPRA alone, I will stop carrying one altogether.

On the idea of changing Associations. I believe I remember the membership coming up at the beginning of the year. While I think the SUPRA fee comes in in mid year for me. If I change from CCAR, will I have to turn that key back in and get another from the new association?

[Aaron D. Miller]

If I change from CCAR, will I have to turn that key back in and get another from the new association?

Tha is my understanding.

[Bruce Thompson]

Originally Posted by badair

Has nothing to do with "trouble with people doing stuff they shouldn't"

Please provide one example of this occurring.

Has to do with power and control over inspectors.

A boycott has been long past due but getting the balls-less TREC inspectors to unite has also been impossible. Scared they might loose their teat.

Hey Barry,

In Tyler, we were CBS code-less until Octoberish 2007. The son of an affiliate was using the supra key for nefarious purposes was caught red-faced after entering an "occupied" home.

After that...shotgun effect.

I'm really tired of paying dues to the NAR, the TAR and my local GTAR for the privilege of carrying a Supra key. To add insult to injury, I rec'd an email from TAR once and there was an offer for an online faxing service. Of course, I couldn't get on the TAR website b/c I'm not a Realtor. So I called TAR. Her response, "You don't qualify for these free services that are offered by these companies b/c you're an affiliate." When asked what BENEFITS I do receive as an affiliate member of the Texas Assoc. of Realtors, she couldn't produce ANY - NADA - ZIP.

I had that oppressed feeling I sometimes get....

I personally feel that we are doing Realtors a favor by having a Supra key (and I don't want to wait while Ms. Realtor runs her kid to school before she lets me in)

I REALLY feel that all Supra keys should work across ALL areas without me joining each association. I'd even vote to keep the CBS code for that privilege. But as Aaron said, to get us on one page would be like herding cats.

[Bruce Thompson]

Originally Posted by kweiss

I put all responsibility for getting the CBS code on the Buyer/buyer agent. I tell them when they schedule that they need to get their agent to get the CBS code from the listing agent and email or call me with it by the day before the inspection.

Had to retrain a few agents, but over all they come around. I just explain that CSS has it 1 or 2 times out of 100, and that listing agents are more likely to call the buyers agent back. Maybe this will make them want to give us more access.

If buyer agents were smart they would make getting the CBS code part of their intial contact on the house with the offer.

We, in Tyler, haven't succumbed to the evil CSS yet. I did an inspection in the metroplex a while back and when I asked the buyer agent for the CBS code, the agent said, "just call CSS". I had to ask her b/c I'd never heard of CSS. She was absolutely incredulous. I explained I had done several inspections in the metroplex and had never heard the term.

Of course, I had to join CSS (another long, humorous story about idiots who don't know what they're doing) and was finally granted permission to receive the coveted CBS code [Hallelujah chorus]. BTW, the inspection was the day after I joined. The listing agent had not even called the seller to let her know I was coming. "CSS will take care of everything" (said in an robotic voice). After all was said and done, my Tyler key wouldn't work !!!

My experience is that the buyer agent will have the code ready for me. I've had to retrain a few, but most understand that's part of their job.

[Bruce Thompson]

Originally Posted by jcahill

I heard Grand Prarie and Mesquite
For sure Ellis in Waxahachie.
Lewisville in January 2010
MetroTex is dug in; they ain't gonna do it.
I hear they work everywhere

I am changing too.

I can tell you for a 100% fact, that my Tyler Supra key doesn't work anywhere but the Tyler area (even with the CBS code).

It will not work in the Longview area nor the Metroplex.

[kweiss]

Lost an inspection today because the client did not respond to my multiple emails requesting that he ask his agent to get us the CBS code - he apparently asked her and she said "the inspector can get all of that information from CSS himself." (In my experience CSS has the CBS code 1 or 2 time out of 10.) But he did not bother to call or email me back that I needed to get the info. Of course, I had already set the appointment with CSS and they did not have the code.

So this morning when I called him (third contact trying to get the info) he did not have it, his realtor was in class or something and threw a fit, the listing agent wasn't answering her phone and so his agent convinced him to go with her "regular" "easy to get along with" inspector next week.

Pisses me off. Not so much the inspection loss (though I never like that), but flames my fire about the CBS code thing. So today I think I will use that time to go to one of the local associations that does not use the cbs code and get their key. I am sick and tired of having agents act like they have NEVER heard of the CBS code and expecting me to play phone tag to get the information. Since I cannot change that part, I will change the association I give money to, to one that makes my life easier.

[kweiss]

Just got off the phone with Grand Prairie. Confirmed they DO NOT use CBS codes. Will be changing ASAP.

[Bruce Thompson]

Originally Posted by kweiss

Just got off the phone with Grand Prairie. Confirmed they DO NOT use CBS codes. Will be changing ASAP.

How will that help you do an inspection in Dallas?

[Nolan Kienitz]

All the DFW Metro local RE boards are on the similar SupraKey access. A SupraKey issued/leased at the Grand Prairie board will work the entire DFW Metro region.

Don't think that extends to Tyler or other such 'out cities'.

Some of the smaller RE Boards are holding tough against the larger boards who are still refusing to drop the CBS code requirement.

I went over to Grand Prairie a year ago.

As noted ... in Houston there is the HAR which has control of almost all the burbs. Just different in DFW where each/every burb/county or whatever has their own little powerbase going on.


Cheers,

Nolan Kienitz - KI5IO
Nolan's Inspections, LLC
www.NolansInspections.com
Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Inspections