Using MLS data

[oneeye]

Anybody know where to find information about using MLS/IPX data on a web site? What is the approximate cost (other than MLS membership for the agent)? Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Oneeye

[paulhiles]

You could try looking at the following link - all looks a bit too techie for me!

Hope that helps, if you'd prefer, I can move this post into IT Discussion, Web Programming or the new Domains forum?

Paul

[oneeye]

I was struggling with where to post this, so feel free to move it to the forum you feel is most relevant.

Thanks,

Oneeye

[paulhiles]

Originally Posted by oneeye

I was struggling with where to post this, so feel free to move it to the forum you feel is most relevant.

No problem, but before I move it to another forum, could you just quickly clarify what you mean by MLS and IPX data. I presumed, maybe wrongly, that it was Multilayer Switching. Do you actually mean Multiple Listing Service (for realtors)?

[oneeye]

Yes it is Multiple listing service I was referring to. Sorry about the acronyms.

Multi layer switching is "too techie for me" for me too!

Thanks

[Duncan Pollock]

You should be able to find the answers by browsing through the N.A.R. site ( http://www.realtor.org/rocms.nsf ), but I'm sure I'm correct in saying that you need to be a licenced realtor before you can incorporate MLS information in a website. This is certainly the case here in Canada and I'll be very surprised indeed if the situation is any different in the US (for all that a much smaller percentage of real estate people are members of your N.A.R. as opposed to our Canadian Real Estate Association, CREA).
Perhaps you could/should talk to your local real estate board as well. Although, again, I don't think you're going to get too far if you aren't a licensee.

Duncan

[ChrisRC]

You will have to check with your local MLS. the NAR has some guidlines, but the different listing services use different implementations and offer different services from within those implementations.

The agent, or the agent's broker should have some idea who you can contact for more info.

It's been a couple years since I did any work in this field, but don't be surprised by a lot of people not knowing what you expect them to. Or by companies you have to convince to sell the services they offer.

[WebDesignDatabase]

There are tons of companies that sell add in IDX services and VOX for realtors. The question is, do you want to build your own system to use? If so then you need to buy an annual licence with the MLS you wish to connect too. Then all you need is the programming backgroung to connect to the MLS. For us, we use MLSNI because we are in illinois. There is no one MLS. All we had to do was pay a yearly access fee and create our own backend. From there you can build many sites for many realtors. Its actually quit nice. If you dont wish to build your own back end. Thier are hundrend of companies like mine that have pre-build backends to stick into your website. That way you dont do any of the work. You simply put your web sites template around it. What ever works for you.

[oneeye]

What is the annual cost for access to the MLS Data. I would like to build my own back end but I am not sure I can afford to pay access costs right now.

Thanks again,

Oneeye

[WebDesignDatabase]

Well, for MLSNI we pay $2,000 dollars a year and about $40 dollare per site we hook up. It is no small feat to hook up the the MLS. If you are tight on budget, I would use a 3rd party service.

Are you an agent, or a designer? If you are a designer, there are some people on the site listed in my SIG that work on MLS all the time. Either way, I think 3rd party is the cheapest and easiest solution to use. Good luck

[oneeye]

I am a developer. I have experience with ASP, Access and SQL server. This may be a naive statement, but all I seem to be missing is a connection method and a little documentation. I have put together a site demo and would really like to incorporate MLS into it. Anyway thanks for the info.

Oneeye