MRED delivers data to its brokerage, managing broker, and broker (agent) customers. In most cases, a web developer or vendor handles technical aspects and automated access on behalf of the licensed MRED customer.
What kinds of data can I access?
- Internet Data Exchange (IDX) is a program that effectively works as mutually agreed-upon advertising between brokerages. If you have an IDX search on your website, a visiting consumer can search through all IDX listings regardless of listing brokerage. Because it is mutually agreed-upon advertising, there are rules about what must be displayed and how it can be displayed. For example, there can be no advertising of the website owner in the middle of the listing data to make a consumer think it is their listing. The listings are from all companies that participate in the program, which is about 99.5% of all companies and listings. However, this is not the complete dataset available in the VOW program.
- Virtual Office Website (VOW) is a listing search option you can have on your website. When a consumer goes to a VOW website, they must first complete a specific type of registration before any listings can be displayed. Once that is completed, the consumer has effectively become your client. Because they are now your client and not just a consumer, they can have access to search all the listings, not just the 99.5% of listings that are in the IDX program.
- Broker Back Office (for automating manual data entry processes and deriving statistics and other business intelligence)
- My Listings (company/brokerage level or office level)
- My Private Listings (available only to company/brokerage or offices)
Who can receive access to MRED data?
- MRED brokerages, managing brokers, brokers (agents), and vendors who have one of these authorized persons as a customer in order to receive access.
What is the best method to access the data?
- MRED is transitioning from RETS to Web API to better increase innovation in the real estate development space. Web API is based on a common programming standard used in many other industries, while RETS is specific to only real estate. This is similar to any developer coming into real estate having to learn a new language before being able to create, which slows and reduces the amount of innovation for all real estate practitioners.
How to decide between IDX and VOW?
There are pros and cons for each. Here are some things to consider when choosing which listing search is right for you:
- Because IDX doesn’t contain every listing from every brokerage, there may be some listings not included on your website
- Some sellers may choose to withhold the address of their listing in IDX because of its rules
- IDX may have, but is not required to have, a registration form – a useful tool for gathering lead information for people already visiting your website
- Because of VOW’s registration requirements, some consumers choose not to register and look for listings on another website
I’m a broker who wants to use a product/service with MLS data in it. What do I need to do?
- Ask the vendor if they already have a relationship with MRED to provide that service.
- If not, determine what kind of data access best fits their product/service.
- For IDX, start your request at MLSGrid.com. For all other data uses, contact orders@mredllc.com.
Where do I sign up for technical updates?
- If you would like to be notified in advance of changes to MRED data, including field additions or changes, please add your email to our list.
