By Frank Alvarado

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Realty agents in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties (FLA) now have another excuse to stay away from the office. With the help of wireless technology, agents in both counties can now access a multiple listing service of real estate on their mobile phones.

In Miami-Dade, the Realtors Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches, one of three real estate organizations in the county, has partnered with Tegris, a Washington-based technology company specializing in real estate applications.

This application provides agents with information wherever they are, said Teresa King Kinney, chief executive of the association.

Agents have access to all agents registered with the multiple listing service, she said. With a push of a button, they can be connected right away with any agent.

Kinney said the service kicked off two weeks ago, and that the association is hosting several demonstrations.

In Palm Beach County, Ken Duke, chief executive of the countys Regional MLS, said the wireless multiple listings service allows members to view more detailed data and is easier to use than thumbing through thick, printed books of listings.

The wireless application can give us 30 to 40 fields of information that helps agents decide whether or not to pursue a property, he said.

Dukes group partnered with California-based Wyldfire, a wireless application provider, two months ago to make the multiple listings accessible on mobile phones.

There is a catch for real estate agents in both counties interested in this wireless application, however. The service is available only for agents who have an AT&T mobile phone equipped with the companys digital voice plan and Pocketnet service.

Web Published Monday, July 24, 2000

Published in Daily Business Review on: Monday, July 24, 2000