IDX for Agent and Broker Web Sites

I frequently see requests in the various real estate forums for assistance in building an IDX. There main ways that most MLSs provide are:

1. A frame or iframe where you would frame the IDX from the MLS on your web site
2. an idx feed of the raw listing data and convert it so it can be displayed on your web site

The iframe is the quickest and easiest method. Below is an example of iframe syntax for Planetrealtor.com IDX for Florida.

<div style="background-color:#CED6E0;overflow:hidden;width:100%;">
<iframe style="width:725px; height:800px; border:none;" src="http://fl.living.net/idxfirm/9999999" framespacing="0" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" name="properties"></iframe>
</div>

In future posts I will discuss the concepts for IDX feeds.

In my last post I gave an example of using an iframed IDX. In this post I talk about the IDX feed and what you need from your local MLS. The IDX concept is based on several assumptions that will be presented in several parts. I encourage feedback.

1. Your local MLS makes the MLS listings available via ftp download and you have access.

2. The data files in the download are in a format that can be converted to sql.

3. The IDX/MLS uses a logical naming protocol for the images associated with each listing. For example: in many IDXs the image associated with the property data is the MLS number (#######.jpg) plus '.jpg'.

More to come....

[naplesrealestate]

Looking forward to your post regarding the Florida IDX. I have been looking for something that could be geared towards providing better searches for site visitors.

You now have the IDX feed which contains the raw data of all the listings in your local MLS and what you do with it depends on the listing management script you choose. There are several existing scripts or you can roll you own. The biggest IDX mistake Realtors and programmers make is not presenting listing information in a user friendly manner which is due to not having an understanding of the basic lising management functions which are:

1. Search - users select criteria such as price, type of property, beds, baths, location, etc that meet their needs. It is necessary to have sufficient criteria to narrow search results without overwhelming customers Example of a search page...

2. Search results - a summary of the properties that meet the users search criteria displayed in pages of 10-12 properties. Example of search results

3. Listing details - a detailed view of a selected property often presented with several photos of the property. example of listing view with slide show

more to follow....

[naplesrealestate]

When you use the term "roll your own" do mean program it with PHP? Also you mentioned that there existing scripts - can you share where I might be able to find such scripts?

In your opinion, do you think it would be user friendly to set up the search based upon the master planned community and/or subdivision within it, if a web page has been developed for that particular area? Or, am I getting too detailed?

Originally Posted by naplesrealestate When you use the term "roll your own" do mean program it with PHP?

Yes, by "roll your own" I was referring to write your own scripts.

Also you mentioned that there existing scripts - can you share where I might be able to find such scripts?

The two most poplular scripts are open-realty and hot properties. Open realty is a free open source and hot properties is a commercial script with runs about $80. I used to be a contributor to open realty. The main problems with OR is a that it is a large monolitic program with a steep learning curve, non-normalized database tables that prevent it from scaling past a few thousand listings. The main problem with Hot properties is that it is a commercial program. There are many others. Not long ago I did a search in hot scripts and it turn up about 20 listing scripts.

In your opinion, do you think it would be user friendly to set up the search based upon the master planned community and/or subdivision within it, if a web page has been developed for that particular area? Or, am I getting too detailed?

I am not an SEO expert and this is just an opinion. Why not set up a website for the total area and use subdomains for communities or subdivisions in the area. Google supposedly treats subdomains as a separate web sites and that in general the smaller the area the less competive it would be. There are exceptions such as the art deco district in Miami Beach.

[kensmith]

IMO a 3rd level should not be used unless it would be enough information for another site.

[naplesrealestate]

I have looked at both Hot Properties and Open-Realty, still not sure about either one - will be doing further investigation.
My site is set up in such a way that I have information about various subdivisions and would like to show what is on the market in the subdivisions. Thinking that it would be a better experience for the site visitor. However, I don't know how I would incorporate it into my existing "best site."
I have downloaded the IDX file and have figured out the table columns and codes associated with each of the data elements within the table.
The hardest part is still to come - big learning curve! Setting up the SQL, then learning the PHP and writing the program that I want, also finding the ftp script to do the nightly download and upload.

Originally Posted by naplesrealestate ...The hardest part is still to come - big learning curve! Setting up the SQL, then learning the PHP and writing the program that I want, also finding the ftp script to do the nightly download and upload.

Before setting up the sql you need define the fields. Here is an example of the main listing db table:

FIELDS:
title
contact
type
subdivsion
price
sold_price
county
address
city
state
zip
country
description
floors
beds
baths
half_baths
year_built
view
school_district
square_feet
garage
lot_size
acres
property_features
community_features
status
featured
elements_01
elements_02
creation_date
expiration_date
listingsdb_last_modified
notes
mls_id
mls_name
mls_broker
mls_agent
legal
latitude
longitude
hit_count

Additional tables can be used for "School Names," and listings features such as pools, fireplaces, etc.