IDX and VOW Resources for Real Estate Agents: Discussions, Solutions and Web Sites

FAQ

What is IDX?

IDX stands for “Internet Data Exchange”. IDX is the ability to display MLS listings in a searchable database on your web site, per established guidelines of course.

Is IDX the same as Broker reciprocity?

Yes. Broker reciprocity is the concept by which brokers mutually agree to allow display of their listings on each other’s web sites. IDX could be thought of as the execution of broker reciprocity. In other words, it is the actual mechanism that makes broker reciprocity happen. NAR has officially adopted the term IDX.

Where did the idea of IDX come from?

The National Association of Realtors® mandated that all MLS’s MUST make IDX available to its members in 2002. NAR recognizes that the internet is a powerful tool, and in an effort to keep the Realtor® at the center of the real estate transaction,
NAR decided that IDX was the best way to utilize the enormous potential of the Internet with regards to real estate. Click here to read the NAR policy on IDX.

Who is IDX available to?

IDX will only be available to Licensed Real Estate Broker members of Metrolist whose Managing Brokers have "opted in" to IDX.

Why should I care about Broker Reciprocity?

Broker Reciprocity allows for the greatest amount of exposure of an MLS's property listings. Associate Brokers with few listings can attract Clients to their sites, with the Client being confident that they aren't missing listings. Large Brokers can retain more Clients and increase their value by providing a single source for a region's listings. Stated another way, it levels the Internet playing field and maximizes the visibility of listings.

If you are the Buyer Agent or Broker, you can be sure that you are presenting your web site viewer with the greatest sellable inventory possible, all of which the client will learn about through your web site.

If you are the Selling Agent or Broker, your listings will be visible to all of the web site visitors on all of the web sites of the other Member participants of your MLS.

Are there rules for using IDX on my web site?

Yes. As you can imagine, IDX is a tremendous undertaking, and putting all this listing data out into cyberspace carries substantial responsibilities about how we display it to the world. Details of rules and regulations related to IDX are completely detailed in the IDX Agreement that Metrolist will require you to sign.

A few key points:

Participation in IDX requires Managing Brokers to submit 100% of their listings to the program, and in exchange, they may utilize the IDX database on their web site If you don’t contribute your listings, you can’t use IDX on your web site
Data must be refreshed every seven (7) days, at the very minimum. Information on the internet is considered to be “real-time”, and as such, consumers expect real estate information to be up to date.
MLS listing information CANNOT be modified in any way. This is not a limitation on site design, it simply implies that the actual listing data itself cannot be modified.
Only those fields as permitted in the IDX participation agreement may be displayed. A list of those fields will be made available with that agreement shortly. Only consumer-specific information will be allowable for display.

If I need a web site to take advantage of the IDX Program, how do I set one up?

Unless you are skilled in web site development you will need a consultant/vendor to assist you in establishing a web site. There are many vendors in the market who can develop a web site for you. Please note that your vendor must complete the Metrolist IDX Technical Partner Agreement which can be requested from Metrolist.

Once I have a web site, how do I get the IDX data on my site?

You will need to complete the IDX Data Access Agreement and return it to Metrolist. When they have verified the data, your technical vendor will be sent technical details to set up IDX framing or a Vendor Template Solution for you.

What do I have to do after it’s established?

With a framed IDX or Vendor Template IDX solution, nothing.

How much will it cost?

Metrolist currently charges $25 set up and $10 per month for access regardless of solution chosen.

Vendors will also charge to create a Framed IDX or Vendor Template solution for you.

What information can I show on my web site?

All information delivered in the IDX database can be displayed.

The data that will be sent includes all of the information contained in the consumer MLS - www.recolorado.com

If my office opts out of the IDX program, can I still display the data on my web site?

No. You may only display IDX data if your office is an IDX Participant.

If my office opts out of the IDX program, how soon will my listings be removed from the IDX Data feed?

The listings will be removed within 3 business days of receipt of your Opt Out Form

Why does the listing broker information have to be displayed?

The Metrolist Policy Committee, made up of the six Shareholder Board Presidents, developed the required features list for IDX in Fall 2001 and included listing broker, office name and phone number in the policy.

What is a "Frame"?

A frame is a feature supported by most web browsers where the browser display area is divided into two or more sections or multiple windows. Frames allow for one window to be scrolled or changed while other windows remain fixed for a such purposes as keeping a menu or branding available at all times.

What Questions should I ask my web design or marketing company?

What is the set up costs for the web site?: Most web site designers will want some kind of up front fee to create your web site. Find out exactly what steps the designer will take during these initial stages.
What is included in the up front fees?: Find out if the package you are considering includes the complete design of a custom web site, or if it only includes certain “template” elements. Find out how much control you have over things like the graphic design of your site, the color scheme, etc.
Can I integrate the Internet Data Exchange site with my existing web site?: You may already have a web site and a web site designer who has been doing a good job maintaining it. You may just want to incorporate the Internet Data Exchange piece into that existing site. If you want to keep your existing designer, have him/her contact other designers who have Internet Data Exchange experience and help you select one who is best for you.
What are the maintenance costs and how frequently are they due?: Most web site designers will charge you a monthly or quarterly maintenance fee. You should find out what you are receiving
for this fee – at a minimum, it should include automatic updates of the Internet Data Exchange listing data on your web site, preferably daily
Is a hosting fee included, or is it payable separately?: Once a designer creates your site, it will have to be “hosted” on a computer connected to the Internet. Your designer may include the cost of hosting in the maintenance fees. Or you may have to make separate arrangements for hosting. If the designer will host your site, ask for the web address of another site they host. Visit this site and make sure that it loads quickly. Consumers will hate your site if it runs slowly.
Does the maintenance fee include access to statistics about who is visiting your web site and when?: Critical to any marketing plan involving the Internet is an understanding of who is visiting your web site and from where they are being referred. There are software packages available that will track activity on your web site and provide important answers to these questions.
How much personal interaction will you have with the designer, or is it all online?: Any face-to-face? How much? Any phone? How much? If you are accustomed to face-to-face or telephone customer service, you may find it harder to find among web site designers. Email is the primary method of communication. If this is important to you, you’ll want to discuss it with candidate designers in advance.
What is the cost for additional work and features?: If you see something on another site your designer has created, they should be able to tell you how much it would cost to add it to your own site. Do not assume that a feature will appear on your site just because it appears on another site your designer created for another Associate Broker. The other Associate Broker may have paid a premium price for that feature. The contract you write with the designer should list all the features you want and indicate their price. (If you’re asking for a novel feature, the designer may hesitate to give you a price up-front. This is not unreasonable, and you’ll have to negotiate the best deal you can). Discuss changes you will probably have to make. Find out how much they will cost.
Will the vendor display all photos on each listing, or just the main photo?: It is important to clarify all parties’ expectations here.
Will you own the domain name?: If you are paying the designer to register your domain name, it’s important that the designer commit to registering it in your name. You will be putting this address on all of your marketing materials from here on out. You don’t want the designer to take it with them if you choose to work with a different designer.
Do you own the site content?: You will want to be able to take your web site design with you if you choose another designer down the road. Seek provisions in your contract that will guarantee this. Note: this is probably only applicable to “custom” site content. If you buy a “template” package, the web site vendor will not relinquish any rights in the template or the search interface to you.

How soon after you sign a contract will your web site be up?: It is important to clarify all parties’ expectations here.
Where is the designer located and how will you communicate with them?: Ask the designer why they deserve your business. There are many options out there. Make the designer explain why they are the best.

What happens if someone abuses IDX?

Metrolist will monitor brokers and associates who develop web sites using the IDX Data. It will also monitor other real estate web sites. If Metrolist finds that an IDX is misusing data, that broker will be notified of the wrongdoing and required to correct the problem. If the Associate Broker or technical Partner fails, they will be fined and possibly even suspended from IDX use.

Why would I want to allow other Associate Brokers to display my listings on their web sites?

The answer lies in a desire to strengthen the industry. Long-term, if Associate Brokers want to compete with other industry segments for the business of Internet consumers, they will need to have web sites that are attractive to consumers. That means having the most data. If you don’t want your listings on the Internet at all, then you don’t want to participate in Internet Data Exchange. If you currently provide your listing data to one or more local or national web sites on the theory that more exposure is better, why wouldn't you want your listings exposed on other brokers’ web sites?

Why would I want to let other brokers display my listings if I don’t have my own web site?

See the answer to the previous question. The rationale is equally strong in this case. In addition to those arguments, sellers will want to know why your listings do not show up on Data Internet Exchange web sites when the listings of other brokers do.

Why would I want to display other Brokers’ listings on my web site?

Because by displaying the complete MLS inventory of active listings, you are providing a service to consumers that can help keep them coming to your web site. If you want to be able to sell services online, you need a way to keep consumers at your site once they get there, referred to as having a “sticky” site – the “stickier,” the better.

How much will it cost?

Metrolist charge $25 set up fee plus $10 per month. A web site solution that displays IDX listings is a different matter.

Will this allow big brokers to have more successful web sites? Will this make Associates look like big brokers?

Brokers will get out of Internet Data Exchange whatever they put into it. Very large brokerages may have more money to put into their web sites. They may spend more marketing dollars to get consumers to visit their sites. But small firms that focus on Internet strategies and marketing maybe able to look as “big” on the Internet as their much larger competitors. Internet Data Exchange is designed to make all sites more attractive to consumers.

Will consumers call the listing agent on listings belonging to other IDX's?

Maybe. The listing firm’s name and agent’s name has to appear on any detailed display of data for listings that don’t belong to you. An interested consumer could call the other brokerage. However, this is a great deal more difficult than just e-mailing you. This phenomenon is also just as likely to benefit you, as your name appears on your listings on other brokers’ web sites.

How do I know some agent from another office won’t end up advertising my hot new listing as their own?

You don’t. But it would be just as much a violation of the Rules under Internet Data Exchange? as it was previously. Such an act would violate the Code of Ethics and state real estate law as well.