Should your local mls allow it’s members to display properties using IDX on your facebook pages and profiles that you manage?

This all started  after hearing about a company called  facebook/themlsapp located in Boston, Massachusetts from my tech friend, Chris Smith, Tech Savvy Agent, on his weekly Technology show.  Shout out to Chris, Thanks allot!

He discussed this company that created this awesome facebook application that would allow your fans and friends the ability to search for properties on facebook without leaving your page or profile.  When I heard about this new application, I couldn’t believe it! Allowing your friends and fans of your business page access to search all your local listings and they did not need to leave the facebook platform. I thought to myself this would allow you to connect with them through a medium that they want to converse on. Why try to get buyers over to your website when you have a group of friends surfing daily on facebook that would easily want this tool. I could see huge benefits of this tool, allowing friends of friends sharing listings with other facebook friends. What a benefit of being able to connect with you if they saw a listing on your page or profile.

I immediately contacted my local mls to be able to get this hook up, and the responds I received was …at the present time Rhode Island Statewide MLS does not authorize it, stating that the IDX policy is only for IDX websites which facebook is not, and we are waiting for NAR’s approval.

Mike Letendre, Chief Information Officer of RI MLS stated in an email “…RIAR/MLS executive staff requested a position on this subject directly from NAR. Their response is outlined below... "A proposal to amend the IDX policy to permit display of IDX listings was considered but not adopted by the NAR Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee at the last meeting. The issue will be considered by a special work group next month, and any resulting recommendation will be considered at the Midyear meeting. So the short answer for not is that IDX display on social media sites is not currently authorized under the IDX policy."Acknowledging NAR's statement, State-Wide MLS will support this position until the model rules are officially modified by NAR to permit the display of IDX listing content via social media applications. Of note, said position would not preclude you from displaying those properties listed by you on your own social media page(s)..."

I’m baffled on this one.  Facebook being the destination of choice for many onliners, including myself, you would think this is a no brainer, but welcome to Bizarro World, “for those that not familiar with Superman, is a fictional planet in the DC comics universe where backward versions of Superman, Lois Lane and their children live.”

My local Rhode Island MLS at the present time is not allowing it’s members  to display properties using the idx feed on their facebook pages/profiles that mls member manage and control. What is the difference if it is on the member’s websites or a different platform, as long as it is controlled an maintained by a mls member and the Facebook Application developer signs an IDX agreement that he will abide by the policies an rules.

What’s your opinion on my  RI MLS members NOT being able to use idx property search on their facebook pages and profiles that they manage and control?

The funny thing is that my local mls is allowing idx data to be displayed on mobile application. From their definition would not that be considered not an “idx website” too.  Where does it state in the idx policy that a mobile platform can be used? I can’t see why this can't be determined at the local level & let the members decide? If it is acceptable for the mobile application why can it be used on the facebook platform? If our members want to be able to do this, it is clearly in the local mls discretion to allow it.  Other Mls systems are allowing it such as MA MLS Pin, NH, CT, SC that I’m aware of.

If your MLS is allowing it leave me a comment. Would love to hear your thoughts and inputs. If you’re a RI Realtor email them and voice your opinion that their delay in making a decison on this issue will effect your future business. Feel free to re blog or tweet this blog.