IDX Policy The Evolution of IDX In the most recent NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, Internet usage of home buyers in the home search process has now reached 87%. This is a trend that has risen steadily from 71% in 2003 and shows no sign of declining. Increasingly Brokers and Agents recognize the importance of establishing online identities. eCommerce, the generation of real estate sales through a Web presence, is an integral part of most REALTOR® business models. Learn about My Website.
Today most REALTORS® display their own and other Brokers’ listings on their Websites through Internet Data Exchange (IDX). The ARMLS® IDX Policy allows MLS Participants, who do not opt out of IDX, to grant and receive permission to display each other’s listings on certain public Websites. Details of IDX, applicable rules and the displayable data fields contained in the IDX data feed are described in the ARMLS IDX Policy. Any Website that displays the listings of other Brokers is subject to the IDX rules and policies. Agent Subscribers and IDX There are three solutions available for Agent Subscribers to provide MLS searching on their Websites via the IDX program:
1. Agents can use a FREE IDX frame that can be added to their Website. ARMLS distributes listings to Diverse Solutions and to Success Web Systems, both of which offer FREE IDX FRAMING OPTION TEST LINKS for any active ARMLS Participant or Subscriber to use on their Website. 2. Agents can frame around the search that is on their Participant/Designated Broker’s company Website. 3. Agents can purchase a Website with search functionality from an ARMLS approved Website vendor, a list of which can be found in the ARMLS Product Catalog.
Broker Participants and IDX There are likewise three solutions available for Broker/Participants to provide MLS searching on their Websites via the IDX program: 1. Brokers can use the same FREE IDX Framing Option as above.
2. Brokers can obtain a Real Estate Transaction Standard (RETS) feed which contains public listing data. This access will allow the Participant’s webmaster to design a custom MLS search for the website. (Note: the RETS feed is available only to Broker/Participants, and not Agents/Subscribers.) 3. Brokers can purchase a Website with search functionality from an ARMLS approved Website vendor, a list of which can be fouind in the ARMLS Product Catalog. The IDX Package The ARMLS IDX Package contains complete information about IDX, including the IDX Policy, IDX Data sets, and how to sign up for a FREE Frame. There are thousands of Websites that display ARMLS IDX listings on the Internet. ARMLS distributes listings to vendors who have signed an agreement with ARMLS to use the data for various uses such as Website property search, transaction management, mobile phones, back office management, customer relationship management and other real estate related applications. Vendors who offer products to ARMLS Participants and Subscribers which require a listing feed are showcased in the ARMLS online Product Catalog. Each product page contains information about the product and vendor, including Subscriber benefits, where to go to sign up and how to contact the vendor. ARMLS also sends an IDX listing data feed to vendors who sign an agreement to receive listings from Designated Brokers on an opt-in basis. Brokers can opt-in in flexmls on the Syndication Preference page for REALTOR.com, AZCentral.com and ListHub. Brokers can opt-in to send their listings to EastvalleyTribune.com, Homes.com and Cyberhomes.com by contacting these vendors directly. Learn more about Opt-In / Opt-Out Services. Web Developers Web developers who are working with an ARMLS Participant or Subscriber should refer to the IDX Policy for access details, rules and policies, including the ARMLS Content Access Policy. |