Real Estate Web Sites
Bower Web Solutions and IDX Broker have teamed up to help build websites specifically for Real Estate Agents and Real Estate Broker Agencies.
For Real Estate Agents and Brokers in the US, IDX is the system that allows Realtors to show Multiple Service Listing (MLS) property listings on their websites. IDX stands for “Internet Data Exchange,” which sounds technical, but really isn’t. For example, a Real Estate Agent may have an MLS property search on their website. This feature is made possible by IDX “data feed” from the MLS board.
Creating a professional looking
and easy to use real-estate web site
can make your agency stand apart
from the competition
What is IDX Broker?
IDX Broker is a third party servicer for MLS data. They take raw data from each MLS and package that into a search-friendly format made available to real estate websites. When Real Estate agents get ready to sell a property, they gather all of the information about the property and send this listing information to their governing board or MLS. Each MLS stores this data, allowing IDX vendors to access this on behalf of the MLS members.
RETS stands for Real Estate Transaction Standard. RETS is a relatively new means of requesting and receiving data, specific to the Real Estate industry. In most cases, IDX Broker is able to connect to your MLS’s RETS server, request certain data, and that request is then available to download. What’s nice about RETS, is that it gets pieces of data, rather than a giant file. Also, it is possible get pieces, or chunks of data at many different times of the day. Also, because there are fewer limitations on data accessed via RETS, the data tends to be far more robust when compared to data received via FTP.
How IDX Broker Will Benefit You
- Simple and Effective Search
- Fully Customizable
- Lead Metrics that Deliver
- One Search Query for Properties in Multiple MLS’s
- Easy Agent Management
Simple and Effective Search
IDX Broker gives agents the best search available without ever overloading them. Also, it’s even easier for your visitors! Your visitors can find relevant properties quickly by search the city, postal code, MLS number, or addresses.
Fully Customizable
Powerful CSS, layout templates, page wrapper tools, and many other features are offered to help seamlessly integrate into your site’s existing design. IDX also has social media sharing tools, featured listing pages, predefined search result pages, and customizable detail page sub-headers.
Lead Metrics that Deliver
Your leads can sign up for property updates and save searches with the social accounts they already use. With “My Listings Managers,” visitors can can save and review searches and preferred listings. In addition, you can track and analyze lead activity by using your dashboard, Google Analytics, and create custom segments.
One Search Query for Properties in Multiple MLS’s
In your IDX Broker account you can combine more than one MLS to allow your visitors to search through your entire market. In addition, there are multiple ways someone can search. They include basic, listing ID, address search, advanced search, map search, and feature search. However, some MLS’s contacts prohibit data commingling. Luckily for you, IDX Broker ensures that there are no changes to the look and feel of your IDX Broker search pages for your users. Also, all of the separation on a basic search occurs after the user initiates the search.
Easy Agent Management
There are several organizational tools offered to agents to customize anything and everything to their liking. IDX alleviates administrative stress. Therefore, you can sell more homes, organize all your staff members, and make your office a lead source in a competitive real estate market.
As you can see, there are many benefits to using IDX Broker to streamline your Real Estate business. Therefore, Bower Web Solutions are here to properly manage your website and grow your business. Fill out the form for more information and rates!