Hi all - I'm currently in the process of doing a redesign for NRVLiving.com and NRVLiving.Typepad.com, that will combine both sites into one and be more of an appropriate reflection of the NRVLiving Real Estate Group.  One of the things that obviously needs to be in the site is an IDX search, so browsers can see all NRVMLS properties in real-time, not just properties that NRVLiving has listed.  Right now, our IDX feed is so outdated that we're still using Systems Engineering, which was the group that ran Navica!

FlexMLS has two solutions, a free version and a paid version. As you would expect, the free solution is VERY barebones, and the paid version is not much different, and truthfully neither really fit the look of what I'm going for with this new website.  Additionally, should NRVMLS make a change from FlexMLS to another provider, than I'll have to do the coding and feed changes myself on the site because FlexMLS won't be handling the IDX feed any longer - huge pain in the keister, it's a WHOLE lot easier to have your IDX provider just point the feed to another MLS system so that you don't have to do it.  .  Truth be told, as a consumer I want as much information as I can possibly have at my fingertips, and while I REALLY like FlexMLS for a lot of their services, the IDX feed falls short, in my opinion.

So, I've started looking around at other agent's sites, and I started by going outside of the New River Valley.  One solution in particular that I've REALLY been impressed with is from Diverse Solutions - it has a very intuitive, graphical look to it, and it's really easy to browse and adjust.  They've gotten very good reviews from the customers I've talked with, and I decided that was the group I wanted handling my IDX feed.  When I called them, however, I learned that they don't serve the New River Valley at this time.  They want to, but apparently I was the first inquiry and they need more people interested in using the service than just me. 

If any of you are looking for a new IDX provider, please let me know.  Diverse Solutions has said that if we can get several (~ 5) agents to sign up for the service, that they'll begin working with FlexMLS to configure the feed.  If you, or perhaps someone in your office, has been talking about getting a multi-functional, well-designed IDX solution then have them get in touch with me, and maybe we can get Diverse Solutions to bring their product to the New River Valley!

Updated 11/10 11:25pm - Here's an example of a site using Diverse Solutions ... GREAT search tool, search by school, features, days on market, even whether or not it's had a price drop.  disthttp://www.realcentralva.com/search-charlottesville-mls/