Broker Tools | Displaying MLS Listings on Your Brokerage Website

If you or your agents wish to display CBORMLS listings on your Brokerage and/or Agent websites, then you are seeking access to IDX Data.
 

What is IDX?

IDX = Internet Data eXchange Program: Created to provide a system where brokers can provide each other wholesale permission to display their listings on each other's websites, within certain guidelines.
 

The National Association of REALTORS® has created a helpful resource webpage for all things IDX – we encourage you to take a moment and learn more about what IDX means to you as a Broker MLS Participant: 

 

NAR - Internet Data eXchange Background & FAQ

 

Option 1: RETS Data (most common)

RETS is a framework that can be adopted by computer systems to receive data from the multiple listing service (MLS) servers, as well as those of other real estate systems provided they also have software installed designed to communicate using the RETS framework. The National Association of Realtors refers to RETS as a "common language".

 

RETS was introduced to the Real Estate Standards Organization to help standardize the way software interacts with MLS data. Prior to RETS listing data was stored in flat files on FTP servers and it was impossible to perform queries or only get updated listings every night. Furthermore, the data formats and locations of the files would vary from MLS to MLS, making it extremely difficult for software to work universally. 

 

How do I acquire RETS data from CBOR MLS for my Brokerage/Agent website?

A. Brokers/Agents must reach out directly to Liz Wolf and request the necessary RETS/IDX agreement in order to obtain RETS data. The Agreement is signed by the Broker, Agent (if applicable), the Vendor accessing the data and populating it onto the website, and is finally authorized by the CBOR MLS Admin (Liz)
 
B. CBORMLS does not charge its MLS Participants/Subscribers a fee for RETS data. However, the Vendor you seek out to assist in displaying and accessing the data will be charging you for their services.
 
C. Keep in mind when selecting a Vendor to find one who is adept specifically in accessing and manipulating RETS data if pursuing this option.

 

Option 2: FBS - FlexMLS IDX Products

FBS – FlexMLS (CBOR’s MLS vendor) offers an array of solid IDX options. Check out the links below to learn more about each option to determine which is the best fit. Pursuing a paid FBS – FlexMLS IDX product option may be more suitable than pursuing the RETS method noted previously if your Website/IDX Vendor is not adept in RETS data specifically: 

 

Interested in Pursuing an FBS IDX Product?
Contact: 866.320.9977 | idxsales@fbsdata.com
 

General Questions about IDX/RETS?
Contact: liz@cbormls.com

 

Option 3: Broker Data Release Agreement

Deliver YOUR Data Only

If you are a Broker and your needs go beyond the purposes and requirements of IDX display, the Broker Data Release Agreement will provide your own Brokerage Listing Data to send to a third-party for uses beyond IDX.

This agreement may be used by a Brokerage to send their own data, and solely their own data, to a third-party for syndication or other third party uses not specifically described and/or required by MLS rules (such as portals or listing syndication services) at the request of the broker and the MLS does not have an MLS-enterprise data license with that third party. 

The Broker Data Release Agreement sets forth the terms on which CBOR will send a firm's own listings to a third party. This agreement is executed by a broker only, or a salesperson with their broker's approval. The agreement also describes what third party the broker wants the data sent to. Each agreement is good for one data feed, i.e., the broker (or salesperson) will need to execute a new agreement for each third party to which it wants to send data.  

If you need to send a third-party your own brokerage data that goes beyond the scope of IDX, please email liz@cbormls.com to request the necessary Broker Data Release Agreement paperwork for review and completion.

 

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