Comments on: Why IDX is a Really Bad Idea http://www.matthewferrara.com/marketing/idxbad/ Building Real Estate, The Next Generation Thu, 18 Mar 2010 06:05:42 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Nexus Software Systems http://www.matthewferrara.com/marketing/idxbad/comment-page-1/#comment-4884 Nexus Software Systems Sat, 30 May 2009 11:00:53 +0000 http://www.matthewferrara.com/?p=466#comment-4884 Interesting article Matthew. We are developers of custom real estate software, some of which integrates live IDX data. We have been hearing similar concerns, from many agencies, regarding the quality of the IDX data as well as their MLS restrictions. Your solution is right on target . It is just a matter of filtering and arranging the data to best compliment your website's particular format. Eliminating the sub-par listings will enhance your listings as well as enforce a standard of quality. Although many MLSs are using the RETS format, they may not be utilizing it to it's fullest potential. Nexus Software Systems : http://NexWebSites.com Interesting article Matthew. We are developers of custom real estate software, some of which integrates live IDX data. We have been hearing similar concerns, from many agencies, regarding the quality of the IDX data as well as their MLS restrictions.

Your solution is right on target . It is just a matter of filtering and arranging the data to best compliment your website’s particular format. Eliminating the sub-par listings will enhance your listings as well as enforce a standard of quality.

Although many MLSs are using the RETS format, they may not be utilizing it to it’s fullest potential.

Nexus Software Systems : http://NexWebSites.com

]]> By: Ninah Hunter http://www.matthewferrara.com/marketing/idxbad/comment-page-1/#comment-2320 Ninah Hunter Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:31:16 +0000 http://www.matthewferrara.com/?p=466#comment-2320 Wow! Same thing just happened. So, here's my email: Ninah@C21ActionRealty.com. And here's my web site: http://C21ActionRealty.com. ~Ninah Wow! Same thing just happened. So, here’s my email: Ninah@C21ActionRealty.com. And here’s my web site: http://C21ActionRealty.com.

~Ninah

]]> By: Ninah Hunter http://www.matthewferrara.com/marketing/idxbad/comment-page-1/#comment-2319 Ninah Hunter Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:30:04 +0000 http://www.matthewferrara.com/?p=466#comment-2319 When my comment was sent, I got an error message about the page not being found. Obviously, it was delivered, but without links to contact me, so I'm sending this which, will hopefully, include my email and/or website to contact me if anyone is interested. Thanks, and Thank You, Matthew for an interesting, thought-provoking topic. ~Ninah When my comment was sent, I got an error message about the page not being found. Obviously, it was delivered, but without links to contact me, so I’m sending this which, will hopefully, include my email and/or website to contact me if anyone is interested. Thanks, and Thank You, Matthew for an interesting, thought-provoking topic.

~Ninah

]]> By: Ninah Hunter http://www.matthewferrara.com/marketing/idxbad/comment-page-1/#comment-2299 Ninah Hunter Sun, 04 Jan 2009 19:40:41 +0000 http://www.matthewferrara.com/?p=466#comment-2299 I think IDX in theory is a great idea. Buyers want information, and if they can find it and search all listings on the MLS on one company's website and not another, guess which website the consumer will choose? Like so many things, however, it's the exection of the idea that is faulty. Matthew certainly raises a good point regarding sloppy, incomplete or worse, incorrect, property info in MLS listings. If real estate agents would approach MLS listings as advertisments to the consumer rather than announcements to their cooperating agents/brokers, that would certainly improve the content. I also agree that the rule prohibiting company branding is dumb and unfair, especially since credit is required to be given to the listing office, anyway. Every MLS has its own Vendor/MLS/Subscriber agreement, the content of which stems from the MLS. So, maybe we need to work harder convincing our MLS's to create fair and reasonable rules for the use of listings on IDX and our colleagues to create professional, complete and correct property listings. By the way, my IDX solution allows me some control over features and limitations on the listings that can be searched and displayed on my website. So, it's not an all or nothing proposition. Also, keep in mind that, until things improve, IDX is not mandatory. A real estate broker or listing office has the option to include IDX on his/her/its website and also whether to send a listing to IDX. I'm happy with my IDX, especially, since the majority of my leads come from it. I think IDX in theory is a great idea. Buyers want information, and if they can find it and search all listings on the MLS on one company’s website and not another, guess which website the consumer will choose? Like so many things, however, it’s the exection of the idea that is faulty. Matthew certainly raises a good point regarding sloppy, incomplete or worse, incorrect, property info in MLS listings. If real estate agents would approach MLS listings as advertisments to the consumer rather than announcements to their cooperating agents/brokers, that would certainly improve the content. I also agree that the rule prohibiting company branding is dumb and unfair, especially since credit is required to be given to the listing office, anyway. Every MLS has its own Vendor/MLS/Subscriber agreement, the content of which stems from the MLS. So, maybe we need to work harder convincing our MLS’s to create fair and reasonable rules for the use of listings on IDX and our colleagues to create professional, complete and correct property listings. By the way, my IDX solution allows me some control over features and limitations on the listings that can be searched and displayed on my website. So, it’s not an all or nothing proposition. Also, keep in mind that, until things improve, IDX is not mandatory. A real estate broker or listing office has the option to include IDX on his/her/its website and also whether to send a listing to IDX. I’m happy with my IDX, especially, since the majority of my leads come from it.

]]> By: Matthew Ferrara http://www.matthewferrara.com/marketing/idxbad/comment-page-1/#comment-2029 Matthew Ferrara Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:05:21 +0000 http://www.matthewferrara.com/?p=466#comment-2029 Thanks, Judi! Best wishes for a Happy Holidays and a successful 2009. Matthew Thanks, Judi!

Best wishes for a Happy Holidays and a successful 2009.

Matthew

]]> By: Judi Bryan http://www.matthewferrara.com/marketing/idxbad/comment-page-1/#comment-2023 Judi Bryan Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:11:23 +0000 http://www.matthewferrara.com/?p=466#comment-2023 Matthew... Interesting take on IDX. I was surprised to see that you never mentioned that fact that IDX gives provides the tool by which interlopers are able to use OUR HARD WORK in generating that inventory wholly against us. Homegain, Housevalues, etc, don't have to worry about going out and studying comparables, meeting with buyers and sellers, meeting apprasiers, sitting through home inspections, arranging financing,etc....all they have to worry about is building enough good website content, add OUR INVENTORY (which is what really attracts the consumer)...then turn around and sell those very consumers back to us! How we EVER let that happen is beyond me!!!! Matthew…

Interesting take on IDX. I was surprised to see that you never mentioned that fact that IDX gives provides the tool by which interlopers are able to use OUR HARD WORK in generating that inventory wholly against us. Homegain, Housevalues, etc, don’t have to worry about going out and studying comparables, meeting with buyers and sellers, meeting apprasiers, sitting through home inspections, arranging financing,etc….all they have to worry about is building enough good website content, add OUR INVENTORY (which is what really attracts the consumer)…then turn around and sell those very consumers back to us!

How we EVER let that happen is beyond me!!!!

]]> By: Condo Abbotsford http://www.matthewferrara.com/marketing/idxbad/comment-page-1/#comment-1603 Condo Abbotsford Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:34:33 +0000 http://www.matthewferrara.com/?p=466#comment-1603 I was just thinking about getting IDX for my sites.. I'll think once more now..... I was just thinking about getting IDX for my sites.. I’ll think once more now…..

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