FAQs - IDX

What is IDX - Internet Data Exchange®?
Internet Data Exchange® is a system where brokers give other brokers permission to display their listings on each others' web sites. Brokers/agents who participate in the program can display all of each other's active listings. If you choose NOT to participate no other broker/agent will be permitted to display your listings and you cannot display any other broker's listings. You can include your listings in the IDX database without even having your own web site!

The Display of Information is subject to the rules of the NJMLS and NJREC. A detailed description of these policies follows in the Section 3 - Compliance Explanations. For a complete list of the by-laws see Section 2 - NJMLS IDX By-Laws.

The NJMLS will continue to revise this guide as new information or resources become available.

What is the IDX NAR Mandate?
In anticipation of the increasing use of web sites by REALTORS®, NAR leadership convened a special work group of members to determine how real estate applications on the Internet can be enhanced so that all REALTORS® can inform and serve their customers while adhering to legal and ethical standards.

Careful consideration of the issues, technology, and rapidly evolving competitive marketplace led the NAR Board of Directors to create a policy that authorizes Multiple Listing Service participants to display the listings of other participants on their web sites. In other words, brokers can now post listing information from their local MLS on their own web site, with some limitations.

This move has been called the next evolutionary step for MLSs in the electronic age. It enables brokers to brand the MLS information on their sites and create a distinct online identity. According to NAR's Board Programs and Policies department, "There is no question that such online identities are an increasingly integral element in the prospecting and marketing programs of REALTOR® companies." The NAR policy of allowing brokers to exchange consent to display one another's listings on the Internet is known by several names, including Internet Data Display (IDD) and Internet Data Exchange® SM, and several MLSs across the country are already doing it.

Previously, brokers had three ways to offer property listings on their sites. They could list only the properties they represent, offer visitors a link to an aggregator's site, or link them to the local MLS or association site if it had consumer-searchable property listings. Many franchisors often pooled the listings from their branch offices into one online database. But with the increased dependence on the Internet to market properties, NAR's Board of Directors wanted to offer all listing brokers the opportunity to display on their public Web sites the same full list of properties derived from their local MLS that consumers can view on aggregators' sites.

To encourage uniform Internet listing opportunities for all REALTORS®, NAR's Board of Directors made reciprocal Internet Data Display a mandatory policy effective Jan. 1, 2002.

Does this policy conflict with license law or the Code of Ethics?
Implementation of reciprocal policy must be consistent with state law. NAR's policy statement is consistent with the Code of Ethics since no display of other Participants' listings can occur without their consent. Consent, though, is assumed unless affirmatively withheld by the listing participant.

The amended Statement of Multiple Listing Policy became effective upon approval by the NAR Board of Directors on May 19, 2001.

What are the advantages of IDX?
- All Participants become empowered to deal with the real estate consumer of the future.
- Participants can fully market their services on the Internet.
- Participants can take advantage of the data brokers have contributed to the system.
- Participants can obtain and maintain first contact with the consumer in the real estate transaction.
- When consumers visit the web sites of Participants, they will stay longer because they offer more listing data.

What are the steps to get started and the costs?
Step 1: As a member of NJMLS with a current real estate license you are automatically enrolled in the IDX program.

Step 2: Decide what IDX option you need for your web site.
Option 1. Smart Frame Search engine
*Cost: $50 set up fee and $19.95 monthly maintenance charge. Choose this option if you do not have access to web site designers or programmers that can write the code required to create a sophisticated search engine.

Option 2. FTP feed
*Cost: $50 set up fee and $99.00 monthly maintenance charge. Choose this option if you rely on a web aggregator or a web designer for your programming and site development.

Either way - your costs are reduced because they reflect all cash investments and ongoing costs made by NJMLS towards the Internet Data Exchange®. Additionally, you will be up and running with IDX very quickly!

Step 3. Sign the Internet Data Exchange licensing agreement.

Step 4. Familiarize yourself with the by-laws and rules and regulations associated with IDX.

For more detailed information and examples of IDX go to www.idxlistings.com.