This has got to stop...

[loki_racer]

////////Warning/////////////////////////
I am extremely tired of dealing with companies that don't want competition. Guess what, you're in for a ride. This being my first post, I would like to welcome myself and let everyone know that I am a full time PHP and database developer and can't wait to start helping others blow holes in everything their MLS companies try to offer. If you have questions, feel free to email me.



The board of realtors that handles the MLS for the company I work for recently switched companies that actually handle the MLS.

Prior to the switch, we were forced to download the listings and photos in two zip files, then we used an online form to upload those files, unpack them, sort them, and place them in the correct locations. I also wrote a script to parse the tab seperated valued in the listings file.

This was the stupidiest system I have ever had to deal with. Of course the company that managed the MLS told us that they could develop our site for us, but it would cost.

Now, when the board of realtors started discussing moving to a new system, I told one of our agents, who happens to be the president of the board, that if they had any technical questions about what type of setup they should look for, that I would be more than willing to offer help.

So what did we end up with. We ended up with the old data download option, or this <sarcasim>great</sarcasim> "standard" called RETS. I can only laugh because it's the farthest thing from a web standard as you can get. All it actually does is use the HTTP headers area to send and receive information back and forth. But the RETS people would have you believe it is a new standard comparible to FTP,HTTP,XML,etc.

So, what is my solution to all these craziness. Well, for one, since the realtors own the information, they should have unrestricted access to it, meaning......they should be able to access the listings directly.

The listings should be stored in a MySQL(open source) database with read only accounts setup to access this information from from IP's other than localhost. This would allow web developers(most of them are independant) to access MLS information freely and securely for use on websites. Then each realtor would have a read/write account that could access the database from localhost to update/change information for records that they created.

Of course when I mentioned this to the new and old companies that I have to beg to get access to the MLS, they told me I didn't know what I was talking about and that it was too "unsecure" to do that. No, it is to unprofitable for them to do that.

Soon, I will have a completed PHP/MySQL solution that I will distribute for free that will allow realtors, and their web developers, to connect to these stupid RETS servers, download all the listings and pictures, and insert that information into a MySQL database.

[Homesurfer]

Cool. Let me know when you get it done. I guess it would have to merge different databases, too.

[kensmith]

Well, for one, since the realtors own the information, they should have unrestricted access to it, meaning......they should be able to access the listings directly.

Not true, the Brokers own the info not the agents. The agent is not even the person who's listing it is as the contract is with the broker.

[webmaster]

There are already several open source rets clients available, have you looked around?

[pcdoc]

Ah feel yo pane.

[wotech]

check out VieleRETS from the CRT

www.crt.realtors.org/projects/rets

It downloads info via RETS and dumps it into a relational database (mysql, ms sql, access) or xml file or CSV. it's open source and PHP.

As far as MLS boards and MLS system providers.........they're like gestapos. they always have been. I hate working with them.
I've always been a proponent of the MLS providers just having read-only accounts on a mysql/mssql database for brokers/agents to use. It would eliminate so many headaches and eliminate the needs for stupid things like FTP'ing listings and RETS.
it all comes down to the money.

[loki_racer]

Ken,

Broker, agent, same difference, but thanks for playing. Whether a broker or an agent owns the listings, that doesn't change the message of my original post.

wotech,

I have looked at it, but seeing as how it requires you to install something on the server, it become useless to anyone that doesn't run their own hosting machine, which I would put at about 85% of realty companies.

Competiting MLS solution to follow.....

[frobn]

Soon, I will have a completed PHP/MySQL solution that I will distribute for free that will allow realtors, and their web developers, to connect to these stupid RETS servers, download all the listings and pictures, and insert that information into a MySQL database.

Open Realty has an addon to for RETS. Php4ever (forum member) has done extensive work with the RETS addon and I believe he is porting it to other listing management applications.

[langard]

I agree with the entire spirit of this thread since we've also been developing PHP/MySQL applications for several years that - for all intents and purposes - make MLSs completely obsolete. Our solutions, like yours, are far more secure than so-called "legacy" systems. Combine that with faster, more reliable and user-friendly.

The whole concept of information "ownership" is absurd in today's real estate market. You either have a bona fide contract with a buyer/seller or you don't. You either have a legal referral agreement or you don't. Restricting or hoarding property information is childish and counter-productive. Those who have feasted on the profits from doing so in the past are about to lose their coveted source of royalties.