Internet Data Exchange general questions: email the Data.Exports@rmlsfl.com for assistance.
If you find missing data or listing information displayed in the wrong field on a data exchange listing either from Southeast Florida or Martin County please email RMLS Data Exchange
Internet Data Exchange Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is IDX?
IDX is Internet Data Display also known as Broker Reciprocity. It is the use of the MLS data on a Participant’s website. In simple terms it means a client can search the MLS database directly on an agent’s website.
2. What is RETS?
Real Estate Transaction Standard or RETS is the server or “back end” of MLXchange where the IDX raw data feed is retrieved from. Specific login credentials (not your MLS login ID) are required to access the RETS server. There are many different programs that can be used to access the server and your feed is created based on what program you are using. RMLS does not provide a list of available RETS access programs however the IDX department can suggest ones that may be best depending on your intentions of use. Please contact Freddy Sarabia at Freddy.Sarabia@rmlsfl.com for more information and specifics.
3. Why should I participate in IDX?
Wouldn’t your Internet marketing efforts produce greater results if prospects could view your listings –and all the others from your MLS on your company Web site? Now it’s possible!
4. Do I have to participate?
Not at all, but if you don’t allow your listings to be displayed by other IDX participants, then you can’t use their listings on your Web site either. Participation is decided by the Broker who may “Opt Out” of IDX. If a Broker chooses not to participate in IDX, the RMLS Professional Services Department must be contacted at prof.services@rmlsfl.com.
5. How do I get IDX on my website?
You have four options:
The 1st is the free link. The RMLS link can either be clicked on to bring the client to your agent page where they can search the MLS or embedded directly on your website. The agent page is created in MLXchange under personal settings/website management. To retrieve the link once your agent page is created simply click the Website Domain box in the middle of the page. A list of available links and their descriptions are then displayed.
** This is not to be confused with the link that is available through Florida Realtors (FR) and can only be obtained through them.
The 2nd option is to use an authorized IDX provider. The authorized providers all utilize the same IDX feed however each one offers different products and features to display the feed on your site. A list of authorized providers can be found on the company site http://www.rmlsfl.com/ under Data Services/IDX Authorized Providers. Simply click on the vendors name to be brought to their website to view their offered products and pricing.
The 3rd option is a Standard IDX feed. This feed contains all the same information as the other two options however it is provided as raw data. Your programmer will need to have knowledge of the RETS server where the data is retrieved and general coding knowledge in order to properly embed the data on your site. A contract will need to be signed by yourself, your broker and your programmer. Please be sure to properly fill in the portion of the contract where it requests the RETS access. (See #2 for more information) Failure to do so can result in delays in processing your application. You will be provided with the RMLS IDX Rules, available fields, RMLS disclaimer and RMLS logo. The RMLS IDX Rules are governed by The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and are subject to change. Please familiarize yourself with the most recent IDX Rules as there are fines for not abiding to them. The cost for the standard IDX feed is $750.00 annually and a one time $100.00 application fee. The annual fee is posted on December 15th and due by January 15th every year. To request the Standard IDX contract please contact data.exports@rmlsfl.com.
The 4th option is a Broker IDX feed. This feed only contains the broker’s office listings and is also provided as raw data. Just as the standard feed your programmer will need to have knowledge of the RETS server where the data is retrieved and general coding knowledge in order to properly embed the data on your site. The broker will need to provide the website the feed will be displayed on as well as sign a Broker (Syndication) Authorization Agreement. The cost for a Broker IDX feed is $350.00 annually and a one time $100.00 application fee. The annual fee is posted on December 15th and due by January 15th every year. To request the Standard IDX contract please contact data.exports@rmlsfl.com.
6. How do I become an authorized IDX provider?
To become an approved vendor with RMLS you will need to read over and sign the Data Licensing Application and the Third Party Agreement. There is a $500.00 application fee and a $750.00 annual fee as well as a monthly fee based on the number of websites set up for your customers. You will be provided with the RMLS IDX Rules, available fields, RMLS disclaimer, RMLS logo and monthly fee schedule. Please note the following:
a. RMLS requires a broker authorization form be sent in for each new agent using the data to populate a website and approval must be received from RMLS before activating that website.
b. RMLS also requires a monthly client roster from your company which should include all customers using the IDX feed to populate a website. This roster is due by the 3rd of every month and should be sent to data.exports@rmlsfl.com. Failure to do so may result in service interruption.
c. The monthly service fee is posted to the account on the 15th and is due by the 15th of the following month.
d. It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the IDX Rules as there are fines which will be levied to the RMLS subscribers for not abiding to these as well as the potential for termination of contract.
e. If only working with one broker you are not required to become a vendor however once your company is servicing more than one broker this requirement becomes mandatory.
7. Who decides the rules for IDX listings?
NAR sets the guidelines for IDX, Regional MLS has its own rules which are based on these guidelines. Click here for IDX Rules.
8. What are the three major IDX Rules I should know?
a. The RMLS logo is required for all RMLS listings displayed in any search result list or featured properties list unless it is your own listing.
b. All listings must include the listing agent name in a readily visible color and a typeface not smaller than the font size and style used in the display of listing data.
c. All displays of IDX listings must include the following disclaimer: “This information is not verified for authenticity or accuracy and is not guaranteed and may not reflect all real estate activity in the market © 2012-2013 Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. All rights reserved.”
9. Can I use my IDX feed to populate on websites such as Craigslist or Facebook?
No the RMLS IDX feed is only authorized to be displayed on websites owned by a real estate broker. This applies to both authorized IDX providers and RMLS Participants. Populating to these sites is considered misuse of the RMLS data and will result in termination of the IDX feed and contract.
10. Does IDX mean that confidential information will now be available to the public?
No. Regional MLS prohibits display of information intended exclusively for other real estate professionals and not for consumers.
11. What do I get in the IDX feed?
You will receive the following:
a. All active statuses. This includes New, Active, Price Change, Back On Market, and Contingent listings. You will not receive any off market statuses such as No Photo, Pending, Rented, Sold, Expired, Withdrawn, Temporary Off Market, or Cancelled.
b. RMLS listings only. This means any listing that was entered by an RMLS subscriber and begins with the letter R. The listings displayed through the data exchange from Martin and Dade Broward counties are not available in the IDX feed.
c. Click here for the list of available fields provided in the IDX feed.
12. Can I put IDX on more than one of my websites? Is there an additional charge?
Yes as long as you receive approval you may incorporate the IDX feed on more than one URL. Each URL must be approved by RMLS prior to launch. If working with an approved third party vendor they will provide you with a new broker authorization form. If using a standard IDX feed please contact data.exports@rmlsfl.com for approval. There is no additional charge unless you are using two different vendors and require two different IDX feeds.
13. I want the listings from other counties displayed on my website as well.
In order to receive the IDX feed from different MLS systems such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Martin County, etc… you will need to contact these associations directly.
14. Can I combine the data from other MLS data feeds?
Yes RMLS and NAR allow the comingling of IDX data on a broker’s website. Pre-approval is not required.
15. I have transferred offices and/or am adding a new website is there paperwork required?
Yes if working with an approved vendor you will need to send a new broker authorization form. Your vendor can provide you with the appropriate form. If utilizing the Standard IDX feed or Broker IDX feed you will need to request new contracts from the IDX Department.
16. I do not want my listing displayed in the IDX feed. Can this be done?
Yes, when entering your listing simply select No in the “Internet Display” field. This can also be done when editing the listing.
16. Can I send my listings only to Realtor.com or FAR but not Broker sites?
No. When you participate in IDX you participate fully.
17. I already have a Standard IDX feed but would like to change programmers what do I need to do?
You will need to note the following steps:
a. First contact the IDX Department to inform them of the change and request new contracts.
b. Once the new contracts have been signed by your broker and new programmer the login credentials for
your previous programmer will be disabled.
c. Your new programmer will then receive new credentials to access the RETS server
d. This can generally take 24 to 48 hours as long as the paperwork is filled out properly
18. I would like to create a product and/or require a custom IDX feed.
Custom feeds range in price depending on the data content and specific contracts will need to be drawn up by the RMLS attorney. Please contact Freddy Sarabia Director of MLS Data at 561-627-4548 ext 122 for more information.
