Jay,
I recently attended the NAR convention in Washington D.C. and met privately with the big wigs of Marketlinx. To date IE is the only platform it supports and not even the new IE8 but it is all coming very soon I believe after Summer or end of the year and MAC will be supported along with Mozilla and others.

Hi. Unfortunately, the IE thing is a dealbreaker. Since I am using a Mac, I can't even access the site for the simplest issues. So we're talking about a web service that can't be accessed at all. It's like a building with no doors.

I have been able to contact them via a phone number I got by other means than their website, and I'm working on getting a feed from them in RETS format.

Jay,

What are you missing? Other than having to use IE to view the MLS in South Floirda, can you elaborate further on the functional issue you are experiencing?

I have been in the internet dev field for many years before embarking on a real estate carrer, so perhaps I can assist.

Jay,

I, too, agree with the free flow of information......overall. With so many listings sites now, data consistency and integrity is a problem with some of the sites now. MLSs are trying to make sure that what gets out to the public from them is accurate data.

You will find working with different MLSs quite a varied experience. If your business takes you to more than one geography, know that each MLS will have its own forms, its own rules etc.

That is a common frustration form brokers and agents. My staff frequently gets confused and we end with an accidental fine because the nuances and rules vary. Example: In one MLS we must fax in a written form signed by the seller to change a price, and in another we don't. We forget to fax the form in, and get hit with $25 fine. Oops and ouch!

Best of luck to you!

Thanks, Deborah. I guess I can see a little better where they're coming from in trying to protect the data. I have contacted the MLS, and I'm filling out forms to get the data feed.

It's just that the idea of preciously guarding your information is all a little counter-intuitive to someone coming from web development, where we're all working as hard as we can to make information as easily accessible as possible. For example, right now, on Trulia, I'm looking at a button that says, "Notify Me! (when new questions are posted)." Imagine if, when I clicked that button, I was given a form to fill out, sign, have notarized, and send in the mail to request the list of new questions. And if the form contained language threatening to sue me if I showed the list to anyone else. It all just feels a little off.

Google is getting into the MLS business, and I suspect that things will be considerably different in five years or so. In the meantime, I'm off to fill out some more forms. : )

Thanks again- sincerely- for your response.

MLS providese feed access to real estate vendors on a case by case basis. You must establish with them your purpose and cannot use the info for any purpose that would be harmful to the property owners or the members.

Please be aware that, in most cases, the data ends up in MLS as a result of the time, energy, expense and efforts of Realtors. Many companies would like to have the data feed for self-serving purposes wihtout benefit, or even harm to the property owners or Realtors. An example of a potentially harmful application would be one which altered the data displayed.

The IDX providers are examples of real estate businesses that do have access to the direct feeds.

I support open access to information and transparancy, so I am not a big fan of a gatekeeper mentality. I am also, extremely sensitive to the fact that a home is often a persons largest financial asset and an emotional corner of their entire life. Access to MLS data must be treated carefully.

We are strarting to see consumer complaints about data postings that are outdated. The MLSs have strict rules about timely updates of new data, changes in price, offering or status. These rules enforce data integrity and protect the public.

If you have a legitimate business purpose for needing a feed, contact the MLS and discuss it.

Pam: Thanks! I would be interested in looking into it, yes.

What I'm looking for is an MLS or IDX system that will allow the realtors to upload their properties to the MLS, and then display those properties on their own sites (via rss feed or something similar). I would also like to submit listings to google base. I can create my own database to handle this, but I would prefer my clients not have to enter the data twice- I just want to suck it right from the MLS.

Basically I would like an MLS that will give me a data feed. And one that is using post 1995 technology on their website.

Thanks very much for your help.

would you like a referral to a company that has listing watch? that service can provide you with up to the minute inventory as it is listed?