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Frequently
Asked Questions about IDX
and Broker Reciprocity
The
following are some of the more commonly asked questions about Broker
Reciprocity and IDX (Internet Data Exchange) service.
Please
contact us at 800-748-4218 or idx@cisdata.net
if you need further information or have other questions. |
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Why
would I want to display my listings on another agent's website? |
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Exposure,
exposure, and exposure. By displaying your listings on other agents'
websites you are able to market yourself to a much larger pool of
consumers. With all the online competition, no MLS search tool has
shown more promise than IDX. If you do not want your listings on
the Internet at all, then you do not want to participate in IDX.
Ultimately, it is a business decision that each agent must make.
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Why
would I want to display other agents' listings on my website? |
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By
displaying other agents' listings on your website you are better serving
your clients by providing them with a complete inventory of active
listings in your area. Consumers can search for listings without having
to leave your website and they will continue to use your site as long
as their online real estate needs are met.
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Do
I have to allow other agents to display my listings on their websites? |
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No,
agents are not obligated to allow other agents to display their listings.
Agents are free to refuse permission to display on either a blanket
basis or on a listing-by-listing basis. You will need to contact your
local MLS if these services are needed.
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What
happens if I don't allow other agents to display my listings on their
websites? |
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If
you prohibit other agents to display your listings, you may not display
their listings on your website. Other agents and brokers may give
you permission to display their listings on your site, but you would
have to seek and obtain authority separately from each agent or broker.
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Will
the MLS still transfer my listings to REALTOR.COM or to another aggregator
of real property ads if I do not permit other agents to display them
on their websites? |
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IDX
Pro is a separate program from your local MLS. The decision to transfer
your listings to an aggregator is left up to the discretion of your
local MLS, so please check with them.
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Why
would I want to let other agents display my listings if I don’t
even have a website? |
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Again,
you want to offer your clients the best service regardless if you
are online or not. Having your listings displayed by other agents
will also give you greater exposure and increase the pool of customers
you can market yourself to. Another reason is that you can offer sellers
Internet exposure even if you do not have a site of your own.
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How
does HouseTrack work? Is there an additional fee for it? |
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HouseTrack
is a value added feature that is included in the IDX Pro package.
HouseTrack allows visitors to register and submit their desired property
criteria so that they can receive email notification as soon as a
match in the MLS is found.
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Can
agents have their own IDX websites? |
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Although
we provide services to all of the listed MLS areas, specific IDX requirements
in each market are dependent on local MLS rules. Agents should check
with their Designated Broker before ordering.
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Do
I need a website in order to take part in IDX? How do I set one up? |
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Yes,
in order to take part in IDX you will need a website. iHouse2000 offers
high quality website packages at an affordable cost to real estate
professionals. With user friendly interfaces and an online, full service
help center, iHouse2000 has made setting up and maintaining a website
easier than ever! Click here for details.
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How
much will IDX cost? |
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IDX
Pro for Agents service is available for a monthly base service fee
of only $29.98/month or a discounted rate of $298.00 for a one year
subscription. IDX
Pro for Offices service is available for a monthly base service
fee of only 39.98/month or a discounted rate of $398.00 for a one
year subscription.
There
is a one time start up fee of $98.00 for IDX Pro for Agents service
and a $198.00 one time start up fee for IDX Pro for Offices service.
Note:
These fees are for our services, your MLS may have their own participation
fees. Pricing is subject to change at any time.
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Do
I have to sign a long term contract for IDX Pro service? |
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No.
IDX Pro is available on a month to month basis if you choose. We do
require a 30 day notice of cancellation on all monthly billed accounts.
We
also offer discounted rates for a full year subscription. By paying
for a full year in advance you will receive a substantial discount
and price protection for the subscription period (see above for
pricing). No refunds are available for cancellation prior to the
end of the subscription period.
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Once
I have a website, how do I get the IDX data on my site? |
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You
can have IDX on your site as soon as today. Go to the sign up page
and choose one of the two options available. Complete the sign up
process and we will activate your site as soon as your request has
been approved.
Please
contact our IDX support group at 800-748-4218
or by e-mail at idx@cisdata.net if you need assistance.
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Under
IDX, how do I authorize other agents to display my listings? |
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The
way the IDX program is structured, the consent of each agent is already
assumed. If you do not want to give permission to other agents, you
would need to contact your MLS to notify them that your consent is
being withheld.
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Can
I authorize some, but not all, agents to display my listings on the
Internet? |
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Under
the IDX program, if you consent to the display of your listings by
other agents, then any other agent in the MLS who takes part in Broker
Reciprocity may display your listings. If you would only like to authorize
some brokers to display your listings, separate authorizations would
have to be granted to each individual broker. This cannot be accomplished
through IDX, and your MLS is not required to offer this service. Please
contact your local MLS for more information.
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If
my office opts out of the IDX program, can I still display the data
on my website? |
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No.
You may only display IDX data if your office is an IDX participant.
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Does
IDX mean that confidential information will now be available to the
public? |
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No.
Information intended exclusively for real estate professionals will
not be displayed for consumers.
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Does
the listing firm need to be identified when I display other agents'
listings on my website? |
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This
is a matter left to the discretion of your local MLS. Some listings
may require that the listing firm be identified. Agents will want
to keep the requirement of license law and the NAR Code of Ethics
(particularly Article 12) in mind when engaging in such displays.
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If
you need further information or clarification about what IDX
Pro can do for your business, please contact us at 800-748-4218
or email us at idx@cisdata.net.
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| IDX
Pro consultants
are available for any
questions you have at
800-748-4218
or email us at:
idx@cisdata.net |
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