What is IDX?
In May, 2000, the National Association of REALTORS® adopted a policy which has become known as the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) policy. In its earliest version, it was known as “Broker Reciprocity.”
The MLS has a field for Broker Reciprocity on the MLS profile sheets that has generated a number of questions from members who want to know what it means.
In a nutshell, IDX is essentially a set of rules and enabling technologies allowing MLS participants to give each other permission to display each other’s listings on their web sites; each participant giving this permission also receives reciprocal permission from other participants. Only the listings of participants who have not opted out of IDX can be displayed on other participants’ sites. Display is subject to the rules of the MLS.
The policy as passed by NAR is as follows: “Associations of REALTORS® and their Multiple Listing Services are encouraged to immediately, and must by January 1, 2002, enable MLS Participants to display on Participants’ public websites aggregated MLS active listing information subject to the requirements of state law and regulation. To comply with this requirement MLSs must, if requested by a Participant, promptly provide basic “downloading” of current listing information. Associations and MLSs can also offer alternative display options including framing of Board, MLS, or other publicly-accessible sites displaying Participants’ listings (with permission of the framed site). For purposes of this policy, “downloading” means electronic transmission of data from MLS servers to Participants’ servers. This policy does not require associations or MLS’s to establish publicly accessible sites displaying Participants’ listings.”
DABR has complied with this policy. MLS Participants can download the entire listing database using the MLS Passport program. In order to implement IDX on his or her website, a broker and/or agent must simply follow the IDX Rules and Regulations, including usage of the approved IDX logo (see above links), and the list of approved IDX fields.
The MLS Committee is currently considering offering another IDX solution such as “framing” or a “search engine” option. MLS Participants will be notified as soon as another option becomes available.
Who Can Participate in IDX?
IDX Rules and Regulations permit brokers and agents to participate in IDX. This means that not only can ABC Realty display all the active listings from the MLS, but any agent licensed with ABC can, too.
Is There a Cost for IDX?Until another option is available, the cost a broker or agent would incur to participate in IDX would be that charged by whoever develops the technology required to display listings on the broker's or agent's IDX website. The MLS does not charge anything for IDX.
What if I Don't Want My Listings in IDX?
IDX Rules and Regulations presume that unless a broker indicates otherwise, he or she has agreed to allow his or her listings to be displayed by other brokers and/or agents participating in IDX. The MLS Profile Sheets have a field, called "BR" which must be checked either "Y" for Yes, or "N" for No. Listings checked with a "Y" can be displayed, those checked "N" may not be displayed. Note that participation in IDX is a two-way street: if a broker wants to display other broker's listings, he or she must allow his or her listings to be displayed by other brokers. Also note that this applies to ALL the broker's listings - in other words, it's an all or nothing approach. See the IDX Rules and Regulations for a detailed explanation.