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FAQ
- About IDX
Q. What is Internet Data Exchange?
A. Internet Data Exchange ("IDX"), sometimes referred to as "Broker Reciprocity," is the next stage in the evolution of MLS as the primary means of enhancing cooperation between REALTORSŪ to facilitate the purchase and sale of real property. IDX gives MLS Participants the tool they need to display each other's listings on their Web sites. Under the IDX policy, brokers exchange consent to display each other's listings on the Internet.
Q. Do I have to allow other Participants to display my listings on their Web sites?
A. No, Participants are free to withhold authority for such display -- either on a blanket or on a listing-by-listing basis.
Q. Does IDX conflict with license law or the Code of Ethics?
A. Implementation of IDX must be consistent with state law. NAR's IDX policy statement is consistent with the Code of Ethics since no display of other Participants' listings can occur without their consent. Consent, though, is assumed unless affirmatively withheld by the listing Participant.
Q. Does IDX mean that confidential information will now be available to the public?
A. No. IDX permits MLSs to prohibit display (by either downloading or by framing) of information intended exclusively for other real estate professionals and not for consumers.
Q. Must the listing firm be identified when I display other Participants' listings on my Web site?
A. Yes. The listing firm name will display on all views. Listing agent name will not be a required field on framed views by other brokers. Participants will want to keep the requirement of license law and the Code of Ethics in mind when engaging in such displays.
Q. Can listing information be modified when it is displayed on other Participants' Web sites?
A. No. Information displayed shall not be modified.
FAQ
- About Real Estate Utilities IDX Solutions
Q. Will having
IDX listings on my site mean a lot of extra work for me?
A. No! Real Estate Utilities will handle downloading the data,
uploading it to a web-enabled database, and serving it to your
site. You don't have to do a thing!
Q. What about
Virtual Tours?
A. If your MLS software already has an input spot for Virtual
Tours, they're automatically included in the data feed. If not,
our IDX PLUS solution will let you easily add web address for Virtual
Tours to your listings on your site, PLUS longer descriptions
and extra photos!
Q. How do you
decide what information gets displayed?
A. The Board for each MLS area decides what information can be
displayed, and what format it can be displayed in. For instance,
listings in Area A do not show the address per the instructions
of the Area A Board of Realtors. However, listings from Area B
DO contain the addresses. Real Estate Utilities contacts and
works with each MLS system to ensure that the listings for your
site are 100% compliant with the guidelines established by your
Board.
Q. How frequently
is the data updated?
A. It depends on the area and the MLS system. Most of the larger
larger MLS systems, such as the Dallas area, are
updated daily. All data is
updated at least once per week.
Q. Do I need to
have my site on a special type of server to have Real Estate
Utilities IDX Listings on my site?
A. No. Even though the search pages will look and behave just
like your existing web site, we host all data and listings pages
on our servers, so you don't have to make any changes to your
existing technology.
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