IDX FAQs

Q: Why should I let my competitors display my listings?

A: The more people who see your listings, the better. Isn’t that what your sellers expect?

Q:  Do I have to participate?

A: Not at all. But if you don’t allow your listings to be displayed by other IDX participants, then you can’t use their listings on your Web site either. In today’s changing marketplace, can you afford to lose this marketing advantage?

Q: What about permission slips - do I have to OK use of my listings every time?

A: No. However, if you want to opt out, just notify your MLS of your decision.

Q: To IDX or not to IDX - will that have an MLS consequence?

A: IDX and the MLS are two different services. No one will force you to join IDX as a condition of being able to participate in the MLS. It's not an either-or situation.

Q: Who decides the rules for IDX listings?

A: The decision-making power is yours and your MLS’s. And, you can set the rules online, anytime.

Q: Is IDX the same thing as Broker Reciprocity?

A: Same concept, different name. Broker Reciprocity is a trademarked term, and the logo license is free of charge. You might also see the sharing of MLS listing data referred to as Internet Data Display (IDD).

Q: Can the MLS refuse to transfer my listings to Realtor.com, or to another aggregator of real property ads if I do not permit other participants to display them on their Web sites?

A: Yes. Although IDX is distinguishable from such aggregations, the MLS can deny the right to advertise in that medium if a participant refuses to allow other participants to display their listings.

Q: Does IDX conflict with license law or the Code of Ethics?

A: IDX is consistent with Florida license law. It is consistent with the Code of Ethics since no display of other participants' listings can occur without their consent. Consent, though, is assumed unless affirmatively withheld by the listing participant.

Q: Does our MLS have to have its own public Web site displaying participants' listings to accomplish the framing option?

A: No. Framing can be accomplished without an MLS consumer Web site.

Q:Our MLS is computerized but is not Internet-based. Do we have to establish an Internet-based system to comply with IDX?

A: No. Under FAR’s program all you need to do is transmit the data to FAR. The fact that your listings are already on Realtor.com or other such sites proves you can do IDX.

Q:Can MLSs charge a fee for making IDX solutions available to participants?

A: Yes, under existing MLS policies they can. However, FAR is offering a complete solution to the MLS and to the participants free. We trust this tremendous cost savings will be passed on to the members.

Q: Does IDX mean that confidential information will now be available to the public?

A: No. IDX permits MLSs to prohibit display of information intended exclusively for other real estate professionals and not for consumers. FAR additionally allows the listing broker and the displaying broker to limit certain fields of information displayed.

Q:Must the listing firm be identified when I display other participants' listings on my Web site?

A: The FAR rules require listing broker to be identified on any display. However, the MLS may establish other rules. In all cases the local IDX rules will prevail.

Q: Can listing information be modified when it is displayed on other participants' Web sites?

A: Not under FAR rules. But MLS rules may determine otherwise.

Q: Regardless of instructions I have made concerning display of my listings on other IDX broker sites, do I have to follow the same rules for my listings on my site?

A: No. Since they are your listings and it is your site, you can display whatever you want. Of course, you will not display fields that are determined to be confidential by the MLS.

Q: What if my firm has more than one office location?

A: Most MLSs have participants from every office location even in the same company. Many companies have offices in different MLSs. You will need to make the IDX choices for every office in order to be consistent and to comply with possible different rules in different MLSs.

Q:I am a REALTOR®, but not the Designated Broker for my firm.  How do I get access to IDX?

A: Please contact your broker and ask for access to the IDX system. If he or she allows you access, a "Search Properties" button will appear on your webpage which will give you access to the IDX listings.

Q: I just bought a domain name.  How can I make it display my Florida Living Network page?

A: This feature allows you to take an existing domain name (i.e., www.johndoexample.com) and point it at your Florida Living Network® page.  When a web user types the domain name of that web address into the browser window, your Florida Living Network® page will be displayed. 

Q: Who needs this feature:

A: If you have a domain name and you do NOT have your own web page or web site.

Who does not need this feature:

A: If you have a domain name and you have your own web page or web site other than a Living Network web page.

To complete this process, follow these steps: 

1. Contact the ISP (Internet Service Provider) that hosts your domain name and have them forward your domain name to your Living Network page address. This service is usually called "Web Forwarding" or "Web-Site Forwarding". Your Living Network Page address can be found by following the directions below:
   

Please note that it may take your ISP a few days to complete this request.

Once your ISP has confirmed the entry has been made, you can perform a test by typing the Web address into your browser and verifying your Living Network page is displayed. After the above change is made there could be a delay until it is visible on the Web. Your ISP should be able to tell you the length of this potential delay, but it is usually not more than 24 hours.

Q: I tried to redirect my Web address to my Living Network Web page by following the directions given. But instead of going to my personal Web page, the redirect brings up The Living Network home page.  Why is this happening?

A: The registrar may not have properly forwarded your URL to our IP address. This has happened with domain name registrars that require a frame to appear on your Web page containing advertising or information they provide. Contact your registrar and ask that it forward your domain name to the IP address provided. You may need to upgrade to an option that lets your page appear without the registrar's frame.

Finally, the data relating to real estate for sale/lease on IDX Web sites comes in part from a cooperative data exchange program between the multiple listing service and the participating firm. MLS rules can specify broker logos (if available), broker names, MLS logos, MLS text or no indication at all on listings displayed.