RealTown's MLSInformation

For some time our MLS has resisted the creation of a public facing MLS web site, not wanting to compete with our brokers. However, now may be the time to reconsider that practice. Do any MLSs, with membership between 1000-1500 members have a public MLS site? If so, can you share the pros and cons of your experiences? Thanks for any and all help!

Rhoda Saatela asked "Do any mLSs, with membership between 1000-1500 members have a public MLS
site? If so, can you share the pros and cons of your experiences?"

Rhoda,

I am with a much larger MLS, but my experience is very positive. On every listing I get numerous potential buyers coming directly to view the property without another broker. I often don't do any other advertising yet always sell the listing in fewer than average number of days on market.

Michael Richman, MUP, MBA
GRI, ITI, SRES, e-Pro, CBR
Licensed Real Estate Broker
Herndon Eagleton Real Estate - Here For You
450 7th Avenue, Suite 948 New York, NY 10123
Phone 917-991-2528
mrichman@HerndonEagleton.com
http://www.HerndonEagleton.com

-------- Original Message --------
> From: Rhoda Saatela <MLSInformation@RealTown.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 8:40 PM
> To: Michael Richman <mrichman@herndoneagleton.com>
> Subject: MLSInformation: Public MLS Sites IDWWKVNSA
>
> For some time our MLS has resisted the creation of a public
> facing MLS web site, not wanting to compete with our brokers.
> However, now may be the time to reconsider that practice. Do any
> MLSs, with membership between 1000-1500 members have a public MLS
> site? If so, can you share the pros and cons of your experiences?
> Thanks for any and all help!
>
> ======================================================================
> To view this post in context, please visit:
> http://www.realtown.com/community/MLSInformation/view/WWKVNSA

That's of course a real hot button issue and it came up at our MLS this year.

I came up with a compromise using IDX that seemed to satisfy both sides.

We use FlexMLS from FBS and they provide an basic IDX search for every member. It's set up automatically and based on the URL that you normally place on your own website.

We already had an iframe with a rotating "Featured REALTOR" that changes when you refresh the page so we had FBS set it up so that as the REALTOR changes, you also get the IDX search for that REALTOR as well.

All the same rules apply so you don't see the listing office unless it's the one for that REALTOR. Also, if the REALTOR has a website, the link is right on top.

Keep in mind that this isn't fancy but it's the first version, it works, and the buyers agents are happy:

http://poconorealtors.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=85

Malcolm Waring, REALTOR®, e-PRO (also 2010 MLS Committee Chair elect)
Pocono Real Estate

PMAR Property Search

OK, there is a clickable link.