How to Add MLS Search to Your Site

If you are a real estate broker, you may be able to add a MLS (Multiple Listing Service) search function that will help drive in traffic to your website. Not only will an MLS search function be able to showcase your real estate listings in a streamlined and easy-to-use manner, you can also provide your potential customers with the ability to conduct general searches for other properties listed within your MLS coverage area.

Call your local MLS support and services hotline and inquire about IDX feed capability (navigate to the resource link below to see if your MLS has IDX support). IDX is the industry standard for MLS data feed solutions and allows raw property information data transfers between your local MLS system to your website or other website listing affiliates such as Realtor.com. As soon as you list a property in your local MLS system, the IDX feed will automatically populate the new information within your website as well as other affiliate sites.

Determine the type of MLS feed you wish to implement into your website. Many MLS systems offer "smart framing" as well as a raw IDX feed for your website. Smart framing will allow you to provide a generic MLS search function to your website by inserting a small HTML code within a blank page of your website (smart frame search fields include list price, square footage, property type, location, as well as many other searchable parameters exclusive to your MLS system). Raw IDX feeds offer a broader range of customization; however, a qualified webmaster familiar with your particular website must modify your website heavily to implement this type of MLS search function (the webmaster will be able to change the color schemes, layout, picture size and customize the search fields in order to create a more integrated look with regards to the existing style of your website).

Pay any user access fees associated with using the IDX feed to your local MLS board and have your webmaster integrate the property search function. Many MLS systems across the country will offer their generic "smart framing" search function to real estate brokers free of charge while others may charge a one time or monthly fee (one time fees can range from several hundred dollars to considerably more if technical support is offered with setting up raw IDX fee integration). Users who are familiar with web programming will be able to copy the smart framing HTML code from the administrative section of their MLS system and paste the code into a blank page of their website (when saving the IDX HTML code to your webpage, the smart frame will automatically populate the MLS search tool and provide search results within the webpage).

Your local real estate board may have an application you will need to fill out and mail back to them with regard to accessing the IDX feed. You will need to send a check for the amount dictated by your local real real estate board along with the application as well. Your real estate board will notify you with further instructions when you have been approved to access the IDX feed.