As of July 2005, the NAR is requiring all member websites to comply with the Virtual Office Website protocal:
http://www.realtor.org/realtororg.nsf/pages/vowhome?OpenDocument

Is it a good thing to require site users to register? It seems to me that this requirement might anger the home buyer/seller...

No thoughts?

I'm sort of lost, does this mean that all real estate websites that use MLS or IDX services are going to have to require registration in order for the public to even be able to look at thier MLS/IDX feed? Or is it a bit more selective then that?

It would seem to be a very harsh move on the NAR's part if all are required to do so. That's my thoughts on it.

This should clear it up:
www.realtor.org/realtororg.nsf/pages/VOWintro

Basically if you show MLS listings to anyone who surfs to yoru site you're still in the IDX realm, but if you require visitors to sign in then you're a VOW.

NAR isn't forcing webmasters to make surfers sign in - they're trying to regulate webmasters who do so.

Where it gets interesting is if you had a two layered approach. Maybe you show a limited version of your IDX feed with a picture and description to any Tom, Dick or Harry who surfs by but you only reveal the listing price if they register. Maybe you have a button "Click Here for Listing Price" and when they click it a form pops up that says "enter your name and email address to be eligible for full access, and by doing so you agree to be plced on our exclusive mailing list." You reason to yourself "I want to build an email database and if these surfers want the lusting price then I want their email address." Poof, you just became a VOW.

Using the Virtual Office Link is hands down a better link than IDX. Too bad our board doesn't have it availabel yet? Are we slow up here?? They say they will get it soon @ $200yr. I really like what jflynn states about being able to withhold info too surfers. However I agree with Brian in having mini-sites as a landing pad offering free stuff/services rather than sending them directly into your main site.

I'm a rookie but I did quite a bit of reading on the VOW policy recently. From my understanding VOWs actually help online consumers see a bigger selection of properties. The IDX only displays those MLS properties that have elected to be a part of the IDX (Internet Data Exchange). The rationale behind VOWs is that if a client were to come into your actual office you would be able to show them ALL properties, and not just the ones that have elected to be a part of the IDX. However, in order to show them ALL properties via a website NAR requires that the customer sign up, include an e-mail address, and that the VOW user validate that e-mail address before showing them all properties available.

My question is can you have both the IDX and a VOW on one site? I like the idea of giving internet consumers choices, so as long as I can spell out the difference to them and why I'm asking for their information I think most would be open to providing their info if they indeed feel the need to have access to more properties.

I think VOW is pretty overrated. IDX usually does the trick. Having too many options makes your website feel like top producer.