I wanted to make a search page on my website that will pull all info from our local MLS.

What would be the easiest way? Or is there an easier way to do this than the one i have suggested?

I have heard of others just framing their public MLS search site, that would be easier, but i would like a more incorporated design.

If i can get access to the raw information, then i might be able to begin ths project, but i will quickly get lost. How much would i be looking to pay for someone to desgin this engine?

Thanks

Every MLS is deferent some might give you an access to their database on their server (which would make the project very simple and that would be the best way) others will email you a database dump file in different formats, to automate a search on this file it would be much harder and you will need a very good severs to handle it, since the files usually are more than a gig of space your bandwidth bill will be huge.

What i usually recommend to my customers is to create their own database of their listings and put it on their site. It is usually pretty simple to do an allows you to have a list of properties on your site.

If you would like some more information just hit me up on the icq, i would be glad to bounce some ideas with you

Let me ask you this: How much do you pay per year to have access to MLS? Here in Tampa, its substantial. Why on earth would you pay for something and then turn around and give it away for free?

Think about it. Folks in our own industry are watering down the profession by giving the general public vast amounts of information for free. There was a time when John Q. Public had to actually call a REALTOR and ask for her services in order to find the perfect home.

Take your inventory off-line and buyers will be compelled to pick up the phone and call you, or walk into your office and talk with you.

Our MLS provides IDX service to all its members but I'll be damned if I'm going to provide it for free on my website.

I've found that there are so many sites with access to the MLS - visitors now expect that service.

You might want to check on what IDX services operate in your area. Coding your own MLS search may not really be feasible.

Also, noticed there are a lot of broken links on your site. If those pages aren't active yet, it would probably be better to remove the buttons from the nav bar. Visitors can get frustrated clicking away when nothing happens.

Good luck with your site.

I COMPLETLY disagree.

Ill post my argument later, i dont have time.

Hey you could always have them register to get your free mls site use. Then you could follow up with them as warm leads they would not be looking if they were not interested. Or as I do for my mls search page every listing it shows it only shows a brief of the listing and the only contact info is mine- so to see a prop they still contact me. And also when it prints out it always prints my picture along with my contact info ...you can also set it up that every time a registered person uses your mls search it sends you a copy of who & the search criteria so that you may follow up - so look at not as takeing bus away from you but as makeing it easier for business to come your way.

Something that's important to note that a lot of agents seem to forget is that people HATE giving out personal information on the internet. Not only are some people concerned with their privacy, they also hate taking the time to fill out their information. While you and your partners in the RE industry might think that the MLS is a very important tool that should require gathering user information to use, in this day and age people expect to find a lot of information online for free. I think taking a name, phone number and email address is reasonable. Address, buying preferences etc. are probably too much.

My experience is that people hate to register for anything, also. That's why I look for some compromise wherever I can find it.

The idea that people will call the REALTOR if they can't search the listings needs a little more thought.

Until Realtor.com and all the others go out of business, there will always be a place for surfers to find listings. And, I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon, right?

I agree with realtypresence. I think you should just get the basics and give an option for them to give you anything else. It will weed out the serious from the curious.

Most of my clients provide totally free MLS searches as a service to thier customers. If you don't offer it, they will go elsewhere. If you were looking for a car or dishes, or whatever, would you give out your info if you could go elsewhere and get it with "no strings attached"? Use a free search as a service and attract leads from your web site with attractive, useful content that makes people want to do business with you.

WOW! Talk about cutting off a revenue stream!

It's a different world out there now, and the internet has influenced the way that people shop for widgets and homes. Information rules the day.

A typical web surfer looking for real estate is much different than the prospect that walks through your door. One of the key differences is that the internet shopper is looking for information that not only helps them make an informed decision, but information that also makes them feel more confident about themselves when they do choose to contact a real estate professional.

Buying real estate can be intimidating for many people. The content and structure of your web site can go a long way towards reducing this intimidation factor. This includes leeting the web surfer see the bigger picture in your market by viewing homes in the MLS.

I'll agree with Golf Guy here.

Normal Joe Web User doesn't care about protecting the MLS. All Joe wants is information. If you're going to deny Joe the information that he wants (home listings) chances are he will go to the next website. If he find's the information there he'll stick around, if not, off to the next site.

While the MLS may be a resource that some agents view as very important to protect and "keep in the family" so to speak, the average person using your website doesn't have that kind of feeling.

Here are 3 approaches to having an IDX on your web site.

1) a framed approach, least expensive but not very attractive. Example: http://relocatekeywest.com/mls.html

2) Intelligent frames, better integration Example: http://broadwayrealtyfl.com/mls

3) Full integration - The gold standard, Example: http://broadwaykeys.com/search.html

I have both on my web site. An IDX solution and direct links that report homes that are currently active. However the capturing of customer information may put the the individual licensee at risk with their State Division of Real Estate. In Florida before you get and certainly before you ask for confidential information from a customer, (usually a buyer), the licensee has to provide the mandated agency disclosure.

I don't understand the concern as long as you have the proprer license. It is the same with most everything today you have to cross the Ts and dot the Is.

But if you are concerned don't ask for any information except an email.

Some states have strange quirks in their real estate law. For example, here in South Carolina we differentiate between "customers" and "clients".

That is why you have to make sure you cross your Ts and dot your Is

Hi

Here is how I implemented IDX on my site:
one frame in the middle of a header and footer.

http://www.ajmasters.com/SearchForHomes/SearchForHomes.htm

...Dear Florida_Associate (also in Tampa)
If you are not willing to deal with Internet customers I'll be happy to help them out for you!



Cheers,

A couple suggestions for FAR IDX

You can limit the cities in the city selection through your account at PlanetRealtor.com.

Another way to display the MLS is to use an iframe. Here is an example of the code

Use this iframe for FAR

Change the 999999 to your authorization #

In regards to Florida_associates comment:

Are you selling Properties or Internet Advertising? I'm thinking for someone wanting to sell property, they'll take all the free advertising they can get. I don't think those folks wanting to hoard listing information are going to win this one because those looking to list properties will eventually go elsewhere to get better publicity. And I think the ability to charge for listings is going to diminish over time. Why would you give the listing away? Because someone else will or already has.

Dave Halliwill
Remerica Somerset Realty - Hillsdale County Michigan Real Estate

I don't get it. What is the purpose of making people sign in just to look at the MLS listings from somebody's website? Why make people sign up and give you their email address? What is the purpose of harvesting a bunch of email addresses from people that are just lookers. I think that if the people are given the option to search the MLS on your website with no strings attached, then if they do find a house from your site, they have to call you to look at it anyways. If they don't call you and they call their friend, then they weren't going to buy from you anyways. What is the purpose of harvesting a bunch of email addresses from lookers and time wasters?
Do they sell these email addresses? What do they do with them? They can't possibly sell them as leads. They aren't leads. They are just email addresses from lookers and curious people.

People do what they believe is in their best interests. There is no way to "Prove" which is the better way. I used to argue for no registration but now I think the arguement is silly. I would never register to view a MLS property, but obviously there are people who will and some of my clients want it so I let them have what they want.

As you know it's a numbers game. The more people you can make aware that you practice any one trade, the higher your chances of work. Add to your flyers, benches, etc. an email list, and your simply increasing your exposure.

It's funny how people want to change the way things ARE. Real estate has changed. The MLS is on thousands of websites. If you don't like it, you probably better get out of real estate, as it's not going to change. Try and work within the system as it now stands instead of pretending these options don't exist!

If you have traffic to your website, people WILL register to get MLS listings, if they're serious. If you have 10 people a week to your site, you will not get 12 people a week registering - it's really that simple.

I have clients who receive 300-400 new customers on their sites every day, and receive 1-5 new sign ups every day. Does everyone who signs up buy from them? Hardly. But they receive a steady, regular stream of leads, day in and day out, good times and bad. And they are outragiously successful because they focus their time and energy on internet marketing and nothing else. They let the CUSTOMER do THEIR job for them, so when they do finally get in touch with the agent, they've done the work, scouted out the houses, and basically just need the offer written up and the sale negotiated. It's working smarter, not harder. And you can do more business with less effort and wasted time.

Most realtors don't understand the time frame involved with the web. From point of contact on your website, it's generally 9-16 months before those people are ready to talk to a house salesman. MONTHS. They ARE lookers. Let them look. It cost you nothing. Leave them alone. Let them do YOUR work. Down the road, you'll see it will pay off.