Okay --

Well I have searched and searched, both google and here; and I am unable to find anything to help me!

I am trying to program an MLS/IDX search feature to be integrated into a real estate website. This progrom will allow MLS/IDX searching/browsing (searching by MLS #, house variables, etc) and browsing by property location, etc.

I have come accross RETS and have tried to go about it, but wow, maybe MLS/IDX is just some mythical database that doesn't exist?

If anyone can help me out here -- show some code, point me to a resource, tutorial, something that would be some assistance, I would bow down to them, and mail them one, yes, one ice cold root beer. Not generic either...

    The MLS database is not mythical. It just doesn't have an open API. The only thing you can do is to post a form on your page that points to realtor.com but then you lose the customer from your site. You could put it in a frame but you end up with other people's names and phone numbers next to the search results which is probably not what you want. The NAR is very protective of their database - and rightly so.

      Well, I am trying to do some integration without doing something like you suggested (no offence, good idea though!).

      Form, yes --> but grabbing information and displaying it on my site. I think that XML may be my answer.

        I'd be interested in seeing your solution if you're able to come up with something and you don't mind sharing. That's something I'd love to be able to put together, myself. Our company has kicked around several approaches to this, but none of them are any good.

          XML will definitely work. That is, after you spend a few million dollars to get access to the MLS database.

          This is not a PHP question or a technology issue. The only difficulty you will have with this project is that the NAR doesn't have an open API to their database. You could scrape the data off the realtor.com web site but the NAR is very protective of their database (and rightly so) and you will be caught and sued for copyright violation and whatever else they can think of.

          Even if you're not republishing their data and you're just using it for internal purposes (making investment decisions, for example), realtor.com will notice that you are accessing their page much more than normal and block your access.

            a month later

            I just came across this thread. Here is an article describing the RETS login process.

            http://www.phpbuilder.com/columns/goff20040618.php3

            Getting access to nationwide MLS info will be almost impossible, like stated earlier their is no API or RETS interface for nationwide info. But every good size community usually has a RETS interface for thier MLS. It's pretty easy to gain access to a RETS server on a per county basis.

              3 months later

              I'm a real estate broker. In Illinois, there is a raw FTP feed that I can get from my local MLS. It's prety simple. To the best of my understanding, the same program is all over the country for LOCAL REALTOR BOARDS. There is no magical national program. I just subscribe to the LOCAL FTP feed, and I get the data sent daily. However, it is heavily guarded and I need to be licenced and in good standing by the Illinois department of professional and financial regulation in order to get the FTP feed. Furthermore, I have to sign a compliance Affidavit or they cut me off.

                9 months later

                Ther page needs to be IDX capabilities.

                Once the page is designed, a licensed Broker can the pay a board fee to have mls feed to the idx tool. You need a licensed broker or agent to hold the subscription.

                What we are looking for is how to build idx capability onto the web page so a broker or agent can feed their MLS Subscription to their web page. Prospects can search from the page directly instead of going to MLS .

                refer to this link

                http://www.linkurealty.com/pages/d-mls_idx.f-idx_services

                  the issue is not MLS. It is not that complex, What we are trying to determine is how to design the IDX tool.

                    Does Linkurealty have any docs? Their marketing says, "Created for easy integration into your web site".

                    They probably have sample code. That's the place to start.

                      8 years later
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