I ran across http://www.openhousewatch.com and I was wondering where or how they are getting their information from. Certainly, MLS has that information but is OpenHouseWatch using an software application to scrap the information from the MLS site? Correct me if I'm wrong, I thought that wasn't allowed.

Thanks,
David

Public open house information is readily available to the public thru varios REB's websites. I belong to TREB and Oakville and Oakville has it published on their home page - open houses for Oakville, Mississauga, Burlington, etc. Why worry if this information is made public? Don't we want traffic to out open houses?

I guess my next question then would be am I allowed to web scrap (using software to retrieve content and reformat it) listing information from MLS?

Hi, you're in luck! I'm actually creating a website similar to the website you mentioned but with more features and more user friendly.

Anyways, as far as I know. The "OHW" website (short) does not scrap. And if I were you I wouldn't either (unless you want a lawsuit on your hands) I believe they signed contracts with the individual agents and therefore have particular access to their listings only. (brought to you by treb) For more details contact me @ info@weeklyopenhouse.ca I'd be more than happy to share with you what I know.

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we're in the process of launching our project www.WeeklyOpenHouse.ca. Should be up and running by next week. I would love to get some feedback/comments. If interested, I would love to show a demo version. Contact me for website address. Thanks!

No. MLS.ca is copyrighted and they do not allow scraping of any sort. But, you may be glad to know that they do provide a framed link which is free of their trademarks. You still cannot scrape the content however.

I would be investigating with the local realestate board how it is that this site is obtaining their data. It would appear that the site is missing it's representation.

to Altarealtor

If you're refering to openhousewatch.com. I doubt you will find a representation of it. It is actually run by a web design company and their listings (if i'm not mistaken) comes from the agents that hosts their site with them.

WOH, I believe you are correct. The link, http://www.crwork.com/pricing.htm, shows that agents who host their website with the company will have access to OpenHouseWatch.

Haha hopefully I intend to change that by offering open house listing services to EVERYONE so you DON'T have to host with him to list open houses.

Although I am still puzzled as to many listings on his site doesn't seem to have a link to the original website. Very odd i think.

Be sure to visit www.WeeklyOpenHouse.ca and feel free to contact me for a free trial info@weeklyopenhouse.ca