The modern real estate environment can easily make any up-and-coming realtors feel like minnows in a crowded shark tank, what with the major one-click-away listing sites. Any realtor these days needs every advantage they can get to survive the industry. One place where you can find that particular edge is an increasingly popular online resource known as IDX. Mastery of this topic has proven to be a revolutionary arrow in the modern realtor’s quiver, and the following article is your quick-start guide to using it effectively.
Brokers Use MLS
Various brokers and agencies within a given MLS can upload their listings to the MLS to allow their peers to download them on their sites. If the MLS in question also has a publicly-accessible website, its members can also frame the listing data on that site onto their own platforms.
Of course, while collaboration is the aim, some semblance of order has to be maintained to protect the system from abuse. As such, if you or your agency wish to display IDX on your site, you would have to formally notify your respective MLS. Once approved, the MLS must also be granted full access to your IDX integration to help ensure that you do not violate any relevant rules or codes.
What is IDX?
IDX is also known as “broker reciprocity”, another hint at its collaborative agenda.
That said, IDX is more commonly known as a family of digital tools for searching and manipulating listing data…all on your own website! IDX stands for “Internet Data Exchange”, and IDX in real estate is a National Association for Realtors (NAR) policy for displaying and navigating listings within a certain multiple listing service (MLS). NAR’s policy is based on a desire for greater collaboration among realtors, which in turn ensures that clients get quick and efficient service.
Furthermore, each participating realtor/agency can exert varying degrees of control over the data they share on the MLS. In other words, you can add, edit, or remove your listings at any time. Another extension of this control is the fact that your listings must be presented as yours if they are displayed on another realtor’s platform. This makes it impossible for another broker or agency to hijack your listing.
For clients, IDX allows them to view listings from many different brokers all in one place. However, the customer’s sensitive data will only be shared with the brokers the customer chooses.
What is IDX integration?
IDX integration is simply the setup of an IDX tool (usually a plugin) that displays MLS data such as property listings. IDX is most commonly integrated via the use of WordPress plugins from a vendor.
As far as IDX vendors go, few are as popular as iHomeFinder and IDX Broker, both of which add seamless listing search and sorting capabilities to your website. These two vendors, in particular, are a great choice because they are the most likely to be able to connect to your particular MLS without a fuss.
The setup process is pretty straightforward, and you’ll be up and running in no time. One key requirement during sign-up is official documentation verifying your status as a member of your claimed MLS.
Once you sign up and subscribe to the vendor of your choice, you will be granted access to a WordPress plugin that facilitates the integration. Once the plugin is installed, you’re all set.
Of course, while IDX integration is easy to set up, you need a clear idea of how to use the tool to get the best out of it. Luckily, this multi-purpose tool offers you a bit of freedom for bespoke integration.
For example, you can set up your integration in a way that reflects the kinds of properties or clients you are primarily interested in. Townhouses for young adults? Holiday mansions for wealthy globetrotters? It’s all up to you.
With IDX integrated into your site, you will have access to up-to-date listing information from your MLS. As soon as another MLS member updates their respective listing data, you can refresh the database and have those updated records displayed on your end as well. This is a major advantage over the mega listing sites that often have loads of outdated listings.
One potential sticking point for some realtors is the financial cost of IDX integration. Most vendors charge monthly subscriptions, with many offering various packages. Subscriptions can reach north of US$200 in some cases, so you really need a strategy to maximize the tool's efficiency otherwise it's just money down the drain.
On the flip side, many will agree that you need to spend money to make money in the real estate business. Additionally, with more and more brokers making use of IDX on their sites, many up-and-comers regard IDX vendor subscriptions as just another cost of business.
IDX Integration and the Modern Realtor
With around 1.5 million realtors operating under the NAR, the real estate industry is a pretty crowded one. Standing out from the crowd is the key to sustained success and IDX is one of the newer resources that can help with this.
Having IDX listings displayed on your website gives your clients the convenience of viewing many listings in one place. It also benefits you by increasing the likelihood of clients staying on your site for longer. The longer they stay on your site, the more they are exposed to your other services and other content on your platform.
Uploading your listing data can also help your website bypass search engine optimization problems. As stated earlier, your listings are always presented as yours even if they are posted on another broker’s website.
Therefore, if a more popular broker in your MLS displays one of your listings, there is an opportunity for clients to access your website via that avenue. This is one of the more exciting aspects of IDX, especially for smaller brokers. With enough hits like this, your site could find itself rising up the SEO ranks.
Of course, you also pay it forward by “crediting” other brokers for the listings you display on your site.
The rise of IDX has also allowed brokers to take advantage of clients’ frustration with the big listing syndicators, who often take weeks, if not months or years, to update information. Many clients find themselves in the annoying situation of pursuing listings for properties that are, in reality, no longer available.
With IDX, listing info is reflective of what's occurring on the ground. Once one broker makes an update, every other participant in the MLS can work with the same information and not waste clients’ time.
Finally, as the subject of data and personal information heats up in society, the general public is becoming much more careful about data sharing. A website with IDX offers clients a more personal experience compared to giant syndication sites, which makes them feel safer sharing their data with you.
IDX is a revolutionary tool that seeks to take the real estate industry, as a whole, to unprecedented heights. At the same time, it serves as a way to break the current status quo and minimize the barriers of entry to the world of real estate. IDX integration also offers clients a much more reliable, convenient, and secure browsing experience as compared to the giant syndicate sites.
It is safe to say that IDX is a certified game-changer that has barely scratched the surface of its potential.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).