MLS Update's Blog: All Categories

Probably not the first MLS to run into compatibility issues with Microsoft's newest operating system, Consolidated MLS in Connecticut is recommending its Realtors (R) not to upgrade to Vista in the near future. From their mouths:

"The CMLS does not recommend buying a new Computer with Windows Vista installed Or Upgrading to Windows Vista.

RE/Xplorer 2.5, RE/Xplorer 1.7 and Paragon are not fully compliant with Windows Vista.

Please click the following links for updates on Windows Vista Compatibility

Paragon

Re/Xplorer 1.7 and 2.5

PC Access is NOT compatible with Microsoft's new operating system Windows Vista."

As laptops have become the business machine for professionals on the go, this is some food for thought to all Realtors (R) in… Read Full Post

All Realtors (R) in the Charleston Trident MLS area rejoice! Your data feed has a new field in it specifically dedicated to the center-piece of every home: the Master Bedroom!

All joking aside, this is a nice, little move by the boys and girls at CTMLS to provide us with what every technology partner likes to see - more information. The new data will be available April 2nd, 2007 at the end of the data file 'idxdownloadres.txt'.

The field, 'ftr_mstr_br', will feature 'split', '2 mstrs', 'dwnstrs', 'upstrs', 'sitng rm', 'w/i clos', 'o/s clos', '1+ clos', and 'ceil fan'. These correspond to a split master bedroom, 2 full masters, the master downstairs, the master upstairs, the master with a sitting room, master with internal closet, master with outside… Read Full Post

It's quite refreshing when dealing with the bureaucratic process of negotiating IDX raw data feeds to find an MLS Board that is straightforward, responsive, and fast.

As this is the first time we have dealt with this particular board only time will tell. However, if this is typical of their level of service, consider yourselves very lucky indeed Wisconsinites!

The process starts with a Realtor (R) requesting a data feed and wrestling with figuring out who to talk to. That's not the end of the wrestling either. Most MLS's will require you to be a broker to have raw access to the data, so you might be directed towards an "Approved Vendor" (a company such as ours) instead of being given details on how the current company you are dealing with (such as… Read Full Post

In a move that seems to have become a sign of the times, the Memphis Area Association of Realtors is changing its servers over to the MarketLinx MLXchange system. Quoted from their bulletin:

"For those of you who may not know, The Memphis Area Association of REALTORS® is converting to the MarketLinx MLXchange system the morning of April 17, 2007.  At that time all access to our existing MarketLinx Tempo MLS system, FTP server and RETS server will be terminated."

If you are a client of ours in the Memphis area, expect a phone call this week. If you are in the Memphis area but do not have an custom IDX with us, contact your technology provider to ensure you will not have a stoppage in your service.

If you have any questions about the Memphis Area… Read Full Post

Not all MLS data feeds are created equal. Some are free, and some charge exorbitant fees. Some feeds give you access to large amounts of well organized and high quality data, while others make it difficult for basic listings to be looked up.

MLS are provided through MLS boards. Multiple Listing Service Boards are usually comprised of Realtors from a multitude of brokerages who sit on a committee to help decide on the rules, fees, and spending for the board. Registered agents and/or brokers will have to have jurisdiction to have access to the MLS provided by a given board. The Realtor will have to get permission from the board to access the MLS data, often having to sign legal agreements to specify the intentions of use of the data, liability, and access… Read Full Post

Southern California MLS, in an effort to stimulate competition, loosens its vendor fees. While this means fees will be lower, many more Realtors in the area will be able to provide custom IDX listings pages. For current customers, they might be thinking that they have received the short end of the proverbial stick, but being an early adopter of technology has its advantages. People who already have a custom IDX in place have had time for people and search spiders to find their sites. As well, these Realtors can now spend more time on advanced web-marketing strategies like search engine optimization and linking campaigns. Time is arguably the greatest factor in climbing those ever-important search engine ranks.

Or they can spend time on what they would… Read Full Post

Comment on this post with the MLS board in your area! We want to hear from everyone and for everyone's board to be seen. Read Full Post

Greater Greenville Association of Realtors is getting a new profile sheet this week.

Stay tuned for more details. Read Full Post