Did IDX Kill Buyer Agency?
If you wind back the clock, the greatest value of working with an agent as a home buyer was access to inventory – the MLS and "coming soon" listings. There was no internet, and consumers could not reasonably find all of the homes in a market on their own. They were limited to newspapers and magazines. Back then, buyers highly appreciated the service of a buyer's agent to find listings, schedule showings, craft buyer CMAs, offer submission and negotiation, and closing management. IDX allowed the consumer to find listings without an agent, and in some ways, schedule showings. But the rest of the work has remained the domain of the buyer's agent. I am a strong supporter of buyer agency and understand the value of IDX to serve the home buying consumer and their agent; but, I believe that IDX is a child of the offer of compensation. If the listing broker is offering buyer-broker compensation, then it strategically aligns to support programs – like IDX – that allow buyer agents to advertise their services to consumers with home search. Now, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued an opinion in the Nosalek case which points the industry toward eliminating any offer of compensation to the buyer agent from the seller/listing firm. The DOJ does not condemn buyer agency; they condemn the relationship of competitors working together with the seller and buyer to determine commissions. They want a clean cut. The seller hires their agent, and pays them. Same is true of the buyer's agent — they get paid by the buyer. The listing broker is no longer incentivized to support the buyer agent lead generation on IDX websites if the offer of compensation is not part of the MLS. Given this new construct, it seems like the best way that MLSs can support buyer's agents is by eliminating IDX. If consumers no longer have access to every listing on the 500,000+ websites, it would increase the need to work with a buyer's agent. The online landscape of property search would dramatically change if IDX was terminated. The only property search solution remaining for consumers would be VOW. VOW requires home buyers to register and hire a buyer's agent to search for property. If you want to see a model property search solution on a broker website without IDX, search homes in Cleveland using HowardHanna.com. Howard Hanna Real Estate Services opted out of IDX, so they only display their own listings to consumers who are unregistered on their site. When you register and agree to use a Howard Hanna agent to buy your home, you see all of the competitor listings. I have long believed that the buyer's agent often does a lot more work to earn a commission than the listing agent, even in today's condition of limited inventory. I want to see the buyer agency survive these class action lawsuits. The best idea that gets my vote is the cancellation of IDX. The one segment of the industry that would be most damaged by the loss of IDX are paper brokers. Those are brokers in license who only use their license to gain data access and do not endeavor to represent home buyers or sellers. I have not conjured up a fix for those companies in the absence of IDX. I guess that they would need to go back to being advertising websites, and advertising in magazines and newspapers may have a comeback. Additionally, ListHub or similar services would presumably have a comeback. To view the original article, visit the WAV Group blog.

Howard Hanna Opts Out of IDX and Tests VOW
Howard Hanna is the largest privately held real estate company in America, closing 113,853 transactions in 2022 – resulting in more than $36 billion in closed sale volume – ranking the firm No. 5 in the nation among all brokerages. HowardHanna.com is also among the most visited websites among all brokerages in America. Also, in the 13-state footprint of the firm, they experience consumer visits that compete head-to-head with many of the top national portals, often exceeding Redfin, Homes.com, and others in core markets. In northern Ohio, the firm has opted out of the IDX program in MLS Now. When consumers search the site HowardHanna.com in those markets on their broker website, they only see Howard Hanna listings unless they are logged in and assigned to a Howard Hanna agent. Users that are logged in see all MLS listings. That is how a VOW website works. VOW pumps up registrations and highlights company listings As you might imagine, consumers do not really understand IDX vs. VOW websites. Howard Hanna has turned this into a lead generation tool. I did a search for Rocky River, Ohio as an unregistered user and the following interstitial appears: "...Our company has 63 listings that match your search criteria out of 105 listings on the market. To view more, click here." Clicking takes the consumer to a registration page. In deploying a VOW, Howard Hanna is also promoting their listings in the market front-and-center. Many visitors to broker websites are drawn there from a yard sign or the firm's reputation. Placing their inventory first makes a lot of sense, especially when you have more than 60% of the listings in a community. For visitors looking for a Howard Hanna listing, they are more easily accessed without sorting through hundreds of listings of other firms. For buyers who want to see all homes that match their search criteria, they create an account. Howard Hanna agent websites were also converted to VOW. They operate just like HowardHanna.com, displaying company listings to unregistered users and all MLS listings to VOW consumers. Howard Hanna continues to advertise listings on Zillow.com One element of the Howard Hanna strategy is the company's commitment to advertising listings on Zillow.com. Although Zillow is a participating broker of MLS Now, the company is also an advertising platform for real estate listings. Howard Hanna maintains an advertising relationship with Zillow, local newspapers, real estate magazines, and other popular real estate advertising firms to widely market listings for sale. Worth noting, Redfin.com is also a VOW real estate website. When Redfin refreshed their feed from MLS Now, the Howard Hanna listings were not displayed unless users register to the website. Howard Hanna listings are in the MLS This should almost go without saying, but Howard Hanna listings are in MLS Now. All agents working with homebuyers can use the CoreLogic OneHome client portal and set up listing alerts. None of the MLS tools or services for agents have been impacted by the selection not to participate in IDX. If you search a Howard Hanna listing by property address, it is interesting to note how many websites are out of compliance with the refresh rules of the MLS. There are numerous sites that have not taken down the listings to unregistered users. I doubt that this is intentional, but merely a result of poor IDX data handling systems. What should other brokers and agents do? All brokers and agents in the market have the option to upgrade their website to a VOW website. Today, HowardHanna.com has a competitive advantage. Given that Howard Hanna is the leading firm in the market, consumers will quickly realize that they are not seeing all the listings from IDX only sites. They are more likely to start using HowardHanna.com. It is important that agents set up searches for their clients in the MLS to view all listings. Brokers should also look into converting their websites to a VOW site. Want to learn more about VOW? WAV Group wrote a series of articles about VOW websites: What Is a VOW and How Can It Help You Grow Your Business? How to Use Your VOW Website for New Customer Acquisition How to Use Your VOW Website to Communicate with Buyers Sell Homes Quickly with a VOW Website How to Use Your VOW Website to Retain Clients for Life In closing, it is exciting to see innovative brokers like Howard Hanna testing strategies to drive more opportunities to their real estate agents. Here are a few other link examples to tests and innovations that we have covered by Howard Hanna: Howard Hanna Syndication Announcement 'Coming Soon' Programs from Compass and Howard Hanna: Find Out How HH Sold 55 Homes in One Month with Find It First Hanna Financial Driving Real Estate Transactions with Buy Before You Sell Program In review of our posts mentioning Howard Hanna, we actually foreshadowed this strategy back in 2012. To view the original article, visit the WAV Group blog.

IDX123Lite by RealtyTech

RealtyTech IDX123Lite is an IDX MLS search system that agents can embed into their websites. This tool allows online traffic to search the MLS directly from the agent's branded websites. RealtyTech has a number of MLS partnerships established that give them rights to pull current listing data straight from the MLS database and display the information on the agent's website.IDX123Lite provides the following features: Interactive Flash Map designed to your market area and MLS. Search Criteria Page with detailed search results. All Property types are available to turn on and off based on whether the agent works with those property types. Filtered Results – allows agents to choose how they want to filter results (i.e. price range, property status, new or modified, foreclosures, photos, etc.) Mapped Results on specific areas. Image Zoom allows user to roll over the main image within the property results page.

CoreFact IDX Website

CoreFact provides personal IDX websites for real estate professionals. These websites connect you with your target audience and provide you with the tools you need to capture more business. Unlike most real estate websites that are built with obsolete frames-based templates, CoreFact websites were designed with advanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) capabilities to help improve your search rankings. CoreFact’s Capture Key Banners make it easy for direct mail prospects to access their home estimate and market activity. The Activity Dashboard gives the agent insight into their prospect’s interaction with their website to help prioritize which prospects to follow up with. With CoreFace websites, users can create a unique landing page (i.e., home page) for every area they farm, allowing them to position yourself as a local expert in multiple locations. Agents can create custom pages that they can use to market their services, or provide value-added content for their prospects. With a CoreFact website agents can set up automated listing alerts that keep their buyers and sellers aware of dynamic market conditions. Users can showcase their listings, or create custom categories of listings like bank-owned properties or luxury listings. Their MLS Search offers Real-Time Results™ Search Engine. This enables visitors to the site change search parameters and see the results update dynamically. No more back and forth using the Modify Search and Submit buttons for every change you make. Advanced applications like Gallery Search and Google Street View® are built into the application. The sites also include a blog. They are built to make blogging as easy as saving a Word Document. Dynamic content like blogging is one of the most important ways to impact your search rankings.

YourMLSSearch.com

As one of the first companies to spearhead the IDX initiative in the US, YourMLSSearch has years of experience with real estate technology. Today, their business focuses on helping real estate professionals successfully use technology with search-optimized website design, IDX solutions, and online marketing. YourMLSSearch's IDX solution lets you keep leads on your website longer with a map-based property search with listings that are shareable via web 2.0 tools like social media, e-mail, and RSS. As well as integrating into any website, the IDX search can integrate into your favorite CRM so that you can better manage leads. Brokers may find YourMLSSearch's IDX solution valuable in recruiting and retaining top agents. The solution is fully brandable and is designed to capture, engage and convert new leads. YourMLSSearch also offers website design. Clients can have a fully customized site designed or choose from hundreds of templates for a less expensive option. All websites include IDX search, the ability to feature listings, contact information, an agent or office profile, and more. Each site also comes with over 50 pages of content that's valuable to home buyers and sellers, like community information, relocation tips, financial advice and more. The third cornerstone of YourMLSSearch's real estate strategy is online marketing. This includes search engine optimization, a link building strategy and an automated social media feed. Together, all of YourMLSSearch's services work together to build a potent online presence for agents and brokerages that generates and captures leads.

Realestatepointe’s Websites

Realestatepointe create and designs real estate websites that specialize in search engine optimization (SEO). Your website represents you and your business to your customers. First impressions are still important in the world of technology. Their talented design team has the latest graphics and technology tools to make your website attractive and to keep consumers coming back to your company's site for all their real estate needs. Realestatepointe has researched real estate websites around the country to produce a special design plan. Their websites can be completely customized to suit your particular business model. No two companies are the same and websites shouldn't be either. Your Real Estate Web Site Should Include: 1. IDX data integration. 2. Lead capture request forms on the property display page. 3. Sign up/lead capture system for your site to maximize leads. 4. Search engine optimization. 5. Custom design so that your Web site is as unique as your company and services. 6. Mortgage information. Most real estate Web site visitors are looking for information about homes for sale. Property searches on Realestatepointe websites are fast and simple. From the home page a visitor can view Featured Properties, go to Property Search, or execute the Quick Search function to view a specific property. These websites are also 'Flash' enabled, providing the consumer with a fun and interesting interactive experience that will keep them coming back to your site for the information they desire. Property Display Pages display details about the property fed from the MLS IDX, with additional photos, virtual tours, and a Showing Request Form. Property Display Pages include School Reports, Mortgage Calculators, Community Profiles and Demographics. Prospective sellers can also view your company Marketing Plan and request a CMA on-line. You can also Generate Preferred Vendor income from your website by selling advertising space on your company's website Homepage, with links to vendor websites.

RealtyTech Expands Partnership Program with IDX Broker to More Cities in the USA
RealtyTech Inc. has decided to expand its partnership program with IDX Broker to get attract more clients in more American cities. The expanded partnership will serve as the pathway for IDX Broker to attain and retain new clients in unchartered cities. It would also be a step up for IDX Broker to boost operations and understand numerous client dynamics in different parts of the U.S. THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Jan. 22, 2021 -- RealtyTech has announced that to expand its partnership program with IDX Broker to more cities across the U.S. The news serves as a broader strategy of RealtyTech to solve one of the country's biggest challenges: simplifying how brokerage organizations in America connect with the "right" people. "The expansion will hopefully accelerate our unique joint partner program for years to come," said Uzelac R., the CEO of RealtyTech Inc. The expanded partnership program with IDX Broker will increase the efforts of the platform to help out more people in their home selection. It will also allow customers a powerful and unique experience. RealtyTech understands the comprehensive, modern, intuitive, and tech-oriented approach to get and hold onto more clients. It is an effective way to build trust and manage clients for an extended period. The housing market dynamics are shifting, and IDX Broker intends to move forward in a more progressive direction. "RealtyTech just wants to remain side-by-side with the IDX Broker to deliver the best value to the clients," noted said Uzelac R., the CEO of RealtyTech Inc. The expanded partnership will help IDX Broker to manage and review more service benefits that would attract more customers in the foreseeable future. "RealtyTech wants to lend its hand to IDX broker to navigate the tech-savvy and competitive housing market and deliver the best advisory services to clients," continued said Uzelac R., the CEO of RealtyTech Inc. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, attracting new clients has been a tumultuous task for brokers. With millions of investors and brokers ready to trade in risky markets every day, the real estate market has become more saturated than ever. The good news is that external specialists and or brokers understand the process of how to bring in valuable customers. In fact, IDX Broker does more than appease its clients; the platform offers real value through its home selection process to the clients. One of the reasons for the expanded partnership between RealtyTech and IDX Broker is to ensure sustainable growth and success. "IDX broker can now view the expanded partnership as a platform to advance their business practices," added Uzelac R., the CEO of RealtyTech Inc. The partnership also hints at more flexible and customized commission plans in the IDX Broker business model to achieve short-term and long-term objectives. In addition, IBX Broker is not new to real estate territories in the U.S. and can capture the attention of clients in different cities. It will also allow IDX Broker to build and maintain a nationwide reputation. It will also allow IDX Broker to segment and personalize different client preferences in various American cities. At its core, personalized support and dedication will enable IDX Broker to offer its expertise to clients with more freedom. About RealtyTech Richard Uzelac's RealtyTech Inc was created in 2002. Since that time RealtyTech has helped thousands of Agents and Offices to build strong brands and online presences to enhance their real estate businesses. RealtyTech specializes is Websites, IDX, and Internet Marketing and Advertising for the Real Estate Industry. Contact Richard Uzelac directly at RealtyTech Inc. at 805-413-7888 for more information.

Tribus
  About TRIBUS TRIBUS is more than just a custom real estate brokerage platform vendor. We hand select people that can provide immense value to our clients. Leaders of the company, including our entire executive team, client care director, and head of development all have former real estate experience. Because of this, we’re able to approach our products and services from a higher level of experience. That’s why instead of following the crowd, we start from the frame of reference – what could we do to best help our clients? Why TRIBUS? TRIBUS is trusted by major real estate franchisees like Re/MAX Results, one of the most productive, large brokerages in the country (More than $5b sold and averaging over 15 transactions per agent with ~1400 agents). We’re also trusted by some of the largest Realogy franchisees and NRT companies and franchises, like Climb. On top of franchised based companies, TRIBUS is also trusted by large independent real estate companies like Zephyr. We have been vetted and approved to be part of the LeadingRE Solutions Group focusing on custom platforms for independent brokerages. These companies selected us because we put the focus on them, their business, their team, and their process. We build the entire platform to your company’s unique needs. Even our real estate brokerage websites are custom built starting with a white sheet of paper. But it’s not just our brokerage technology platform that makes us different. Our company values speak to who we are and how we operate. Engagement First At TRIBUS, we believe that engagement leads to success. Our products and client care concierge service were built with the unique needs of real estate brokerages in mind – no matter the size. Our software was built after, and only after, we engaged with clients to find out what they were looking for and what solutions would add significant value to their businesses and lives. Quite simply, TRIBUS develops technology that our clients actually want to use. For more information, please visit TRIBUS.com.

IDX, Inc.
Agent IDXCreate and integrate your real estate website with IDX Broker and watch your business take off!Take full advantage of advanced MLS/IDX Search tools available on every page including live Map Search at no estra cost! Add your own style with our popular WordPress Pluin that is kept up-to-date, works with every theme, and is included in every IDX Broker account! Team IDXThe Perfect IDX solution for a two agent team or small office. All the benefits of the Agent account along with the Management Tools available to Offices. Enjoy the best of both worlds! Both Agents get their own Email Updates and Lead/Listing Management Tools with no long-term contracts or usage fees! A very affordable solution for small teams at only $10 more than Agent IDX!  Office IDXThe most popular IDX solution available for Offices!Give your Agents the tools they need and the perks they want to thrive! Promote your agnets on their Featured Listing Detail Pages and easily Add an Agent Roster Page to your website. Control or Automate Lead Assignment - it's completely up to you and easy to set up! 

Cevado Technologies
Real Estate Websites   Insurance Websites   Author Websites   Custom Business or Personal Websites Video Listing Syndication & You Tube video Real Estate MLS & IDX   Interactive Maps Realty TV Lobby & Window Rotator   Search Engine Optimization   Franchise Listing Syndication

Software Incubator Inc
We specialize in developing software applications in .NET and LAMP technologies. Also into real estate data & BPO (Broker Price Opinion) business in the US. Our team drives the data for www.realtybargains.com and several popular real estate portals across the US.