What
is IDX?
IDX stands for Internet Data Exchange. It is
also known as Broker Reciprocity. IDX allows
REALTORS® to show the active association
listings on their website. Website viewers can
search for properties by certain criteria such
as price, area, bedrooms, etc. IDX is lead generating,
which means no matter who the listing office
or agent is, you will be the only one that they
can contact for more information. When you get
your email lead, it will show the MLS number
as well as the contact information for the person
inquiring.
Do
I have to update the IDX listings on my website?
No. All of the listings are updated daily directly
from your association. Every time a property
is listed or sold in your MLS the update will
occur automatically on your website. All you
need to do is check your email frequently for
leads.
I didn't think I could advertise other agents
listings?
REALTORS® that participate in IDX are allowing
their listings to be displayed by other agents
on the Internet. Each REALTOR® Association
has their own set of rules for IDX. Most association
rules state that at the bottom of each listing
it has to say "Listing courtesy of: Listing
Office Name". Some association’s
state that the listing office, listing agent
and phone number must be show. We will check
with your local association for your rules and
guidelines.
Can't
I just use Realtor.com?
With Realtor.com your customers can search through
the listings, but even if you have sent them
their from your website, they may not understand
that when they hit the "More Information"
button, the email has just been
sent to the listing agent. And how much loyalty
is there once that listing agent has contacted
them regarding the listing they are interested
in? You just unintentionally sent your competitor
a great referral!
Do
I have to show all of the IDX listings?
You can choose what types of properties you
want to show, such as residential, vacant land,
commercial, multi family, etc. If you focus
on residential and vacant land only, then you
do not need to show commercial or multi family
listings.
How important are the email leads? If someone
is really interested won't they just call me?
With the Internet generation upon us, more and
more people choose to communicate by email rather
than picking up the phone. You will find valid
prospects will contact you for more information,
most of whom have done their research and know
exactly what they want. Studies show that eBuyers
request fewer showings before going under contract
than traditional buyers. This makes your job
that much easier!
I am so busy now, why would I want to add IDX?
Use your IDX as a tool for your existing clients.
By letting them know that they can go to your
website and do their own property searches,
you can relieve some of your time and they are
able to do their own research and become more
involved.
How
will people know that I have IDX available?
You want to market your website in all of your
advertising. You should include in your ad that
you have all the area listings available on
your website. We have also found that successful
agents send out a postcard or letter to everyone
in their farming list telling them that they
now offer all of the IDX listings on their website.
You can also ask us about our Search Engine
Optimization Services.
What features are
included in your service?
Our standard IDX service offers basic and advanced
searches, allowing visitors to search by property
type, city, zip code, MLS number, and many more
options. Once a visitor clicks on a listing,
they will be able to view a variety of details
on the listing (varies depending on the amount
of data your MLS sends). They can also request
a showing, email the listing to a friend, use
the mortgage calculator, or view a printer-friendly
version. The printer-friendly version will print
your logo and contact information at the top
of the page - keeping your name in front of
the visitor. Additonal features that can be
added on to your IDX service includes: ability
for visitors to save their searches, receive
email alerts when new listings matching their
criteria are entered into MLS, and the ability
for you to upload virtual tours and additional
information to your listings. We also offer
a unique Map Search that allows visitors to
search for listings using a map of your area.
They can zoom in on specific parts of town.
For more information about
our IDX services and add-on features, contact
us now.
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