Recently, I made one of the best moves in my real estate career thus far. I subscribed to MLS IDX on my personal website at http://nortonteamrealestate.com/seach-the-realtors-mls With a little free advertising, I have been receiving strong buyer leads consistently. One of these leads has turned into a clinet, with several more closely following. So I thought I would blog about it.
In case your wondering, IDX stands for "Internet Data Exchange" commonly called Broker Reciprocity. The next stage in the evolution of the MLS, IDX is the primary means of enhancing cooperation between REALTORS® to facilitate the purchase and sale of real estate property. IDX gives MLS Participants the tool they need to display each others' listings on their Internet websites. Under the IDX real estate system, brokers exchange consent to display each others listings on the Internet. You have full control over which real estate listings you display.
Let's face it, buyers are online searching for homes. A recent survey found 87% of home buyers found their home while searching the internet. They want listings quick and they want detailed information. Gone are the days when Realtors held the secret access to the MLS. With IDX, buyers can see all of what we see. The questions is, is your website giving them this tool?
Most local boards and MLS systems have approved third party vendors that can integrate IDX onto your site. Many vendors will even build you a website with IDX integrated into it. The local board will charge an annual fee for using IDX and your vendor will likely charge a monthly fee. In my case, I paid the Salt Lake Board $100 annual fee and I pay ProAgent Websites $50/month.
Buyers love this tool because they can see all they could possibly wish for in local real estate. I love this tool because buyers must register to use it (after they have searched a few homes), providing me with promising leads. My number will show on all the listings as the contact to view the homes or receive more information. Of course, the IDX is on my website, so they can easily read more information about me and why I can be a good Realtor for them. Impressed, happy potential buyers are now calling me first when they are ready to get serious.

To see how I have used IDX , visit http://nortonteamrealestate.com/seach-the-realtors-mls
Other features of the IDX
To all those who build or have built a website, I now have the utmost repect for you! After several grueling months of relentless editing and creating, I am proud (and extremely relieved) to say that www.nortonteamrealestate.com is complete. I would like to thank my wife, who pretty much was the whiz behind it all. In fact, I'll just be honest and say that I would probably still have my eyes inches away from the screen trying to interpret some crazy html code that looks like this to me *%$#@%^&**((&&^()_CXLknf(*)&^^+*U&%$%$. She was given some God-given talent to have the patience and intelligence to figure all that stuff out. I also want to thank my 1 year old son, Logan who endured months of daddy and mommy working on the computer. We always knew he had enough when something got destroyed or he "accidently" pushed the power button. And lastly, thanks to all those who have taken the time to look at my website and offer feedback.
It would be nice if this thing actually worked. It dawned on me one day that the reason it was taking so long, was that I was not just trying to start up a website, but I was starting an entire business plan. So that made me feel better about the whole thing for at least a couple of hours. Being a perfectionist didn't help either.
Here is what I feel are the key parts of the website:
1. MLS Acess for Buyers: Buyers can now search the entire Wasatch Front and see detailed information about available homes on the market. Its pretty much the Realtor's MLS made available to everyone.
2. Complete Sellers Table: Now its easy for sellers to quickly compare the 4 packages we offer and decide on what fits them best. Each marketing links to a description.
3. Buyers Toolbox: This is basically a page with all the services we offer buyers, such as information on getting a loan and how to get a 1% cash rebate.
4. Navigation: I have tried my best to make everything user-friendly. But I realize that user friendly to me may confuse someone else, so I am always open for feedback.
Of course, I realize that only half the battle is won because no I have to figure out how the heck to get people coming to my website. So I will turn to my whiz of a wife again- thank goodness! I am excited to continually upgrade and basically dominate the real estate web world (we have to think big-right!)
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2012 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved