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open source IDX include

Hi Folks,

I'm searching for a way to add an IDX include to my site. I've seen open-realty idx include, but ifrom the information it seems as though either I have to be a genius or I need to pay alot of money.

Wasn't open source supposed to be non proprietary? I'm not a genius but I am a bit of a geek. I'd like to have the connection to mls and could probably handle a bit of brain work...especially if it came with instructions.

I'm a failry new agent in a dragging economic environment and love my job but need to do alot of the work myself.

BTW

I just found this group this week and am thrilled!

peace,

Mary Ann

Posted by Mary Ann Ead on 08/11/2007 12:12 AM

Comments (8)

8 Comments on open source IDX include

AUG

2007

Mary Ann,

I was looking at the link you provided and at first glance the product is intended for web developers so unless you have access to your local IDX feed, and you know PHP, the product is not what you are looking for. Open source refers to application that have their source code available without a license. (ie: Linux, Netscape) As a developer you are allowed to download the source code and make modifications, and improvements. Although anybody can use the source code it usually is written a specific programming language, so unless you know C++, PHP, and etc; Open source is probrably not what you are looking for.

You might want to do a search on "IDX" in ActiveRain. I'm sure you can find many articles and comments that can help you out.

DEC

2007

I have implemented the IDXManager Addon for my open-realty site. GulfsideLand.com

There was a lot to customize and has taken me over 2 weeks to get things working. My biggest complaint would actually be the Data feed provided through planet Realtor. Lots of the fields, like the property address, are not included. The addon works as promised but the results vary depending on the data.

The install was time consuming but there was not any coding. Just data entry and intuitive thinking to interpret the instructions.

Lee Forbes PA

DEC

2007

Hi Lee,

Thanks for the info. It helps to know that open realty might be worth trying. I've actually been learning alot more about how to use these database based products since I wrote this blog. I'm a little more confident. I checed through a few pages on your site and noticed that using semonkey(mozilla product browser) I get a bit of overlapping on your search criteria page. fyi. I also see that there are no photos, I checked a few pages from the search. Was this because they really do not have photos or were they just not picked up?

Sorry for the delay in response I have been on a long vacation in Mexico.

peace,

Mary Ann

DEC

2007

I update the listings daily as I am doing right now. During that time the data is not available in full. I will be setting this up to be done in the early morning but I am still playing with it right now. Almost every listing has a photo. I will have todays update completed about 11am EST

Lee Forbes

GulfsideLand.com

DEC

2007

check with your local MLS and see if there is a fee to frame IDX on your site. Here in NH we can frame for free, this is what I have chosen to do.

I frames do not pose any merit for a website other than easy functionality for the designer. With the listings actually imported and on my site I now have over 8000 pages of relevant content that changes daily. Each address, neighborhood name, remark and picture can be crawled by search engines and thus found by prospects searching for homes. I-frames are not crawled or indexed for your site.

Benefit:

Prospective buyer types the name of a neighborhood he likes into google.

My website has a page with relevant content "neighborhood name" for each listing in the community.

I-frame site has your name, and your content that you typed in when you made your site 6months ago.

I am sure to get a look from the prospect. Are you?

Now imagine more google searches for each "neighborhood" in your area, every "3 bedroom", every "pool home" and so on. All cross linked with the actual Data from my site.

Pretty cool stuff hua?

Lee Forbes

GulfsideLand.com

JAN

2008

Bill, I do have the free IDX framing thing from our MLS, but it is lame and cumbersome.

Lee, it sounds like you are having success and are happy with your new setup. I'm trying to climb out from under my work pile so that I can take on the task of changing my site also. Your comment about the I-frames not getting crawled is very important. The listings that I manually put on my site get stats and I can see if and when and from where people have visited my site. This cannot be done with the IDX framing. Unless of course MLS has the information for ya.

Peace,

:Mary Ann

www.douglas-bisbeehomes.com

MAR

We frame for free in Maine as well. IDX portal essential to your website.

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