by Karen Kage, Chief Executive Officer

We are delighted to announce that we will begin training for the Realcomp Online^® Listing Load program on November 15, 2004. The initial classes will be offered to those who are currently using the Compass broker load program.

Beginning January 11, 2005, all new listings and changes to current listings will be entered directly into Realcomp Online^®. We will simultaneously turn off the Compass broker load functions. Also at this time, we will begin scheduling training for members who aren’t yet using Listing Load but would like to start.

Realcomp will also continue to offer the service of loading all new listings and changes on behalf of our customers. Once the new Realcomp Online^® Listing Load function is up and running, the next step is to turn off
Compass. The official Compass shutdown date is now set for March 15, 2005. I realize this may not be a popular decision with some, but it is a necessary one. Here are just a few of the reasons why:

• FNIS (our vendor for the Compass system) no longer has Compass expertise on staff making it difficult, if not impossible, to get changes or
  corrections made to the application;
• The listings from our data
  sharing partners (i.e. Ann
  Arbor, Flint and LUTAR) do not
  appear in Compass making that
  database incomplete;
• Compass requires third party
  software;
• Mapping cannot be included on
  Compass;
• Maintaining two separate
  systems and two separate
  databases continues to result in
  unacceptable inconsistencies
  and errors.

Based on these and many other important reasons, Compass will be retired as of March 15, 2005.

In addition to the above, effective immediately, Realcomp is no longer selling the PC-Access software. We are no longer issuing authorization codes for the software.

Realcomp will offer as many training classes as needed to ensure that all members have the opportunity to attend. Between now and the March 15th date, we will continue to work on improvements and enhancements to Realcomp Online^® to make it better than ever!

As always, I can be reached by email or by phone at 248-699-9120.