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IDX what is the big deal? Do you know what IDX is? Is it obsolete?

By Endre Barath, Jr.

Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties 01238708

September 14, 2012 07:17 AM

IDX what is the big deal?Do you know what IDX is? Is it obsolete?

I have always thought that using an IDX was a bit convoluted, I will not go to the point of saying that it is misleading, but as far as I am concerned it was not the clearest way to let the potential buyers know what your position as an agent is with a particular listing. Are you the listing agent or not? I also had a problem with requiring potential buyers to have to register to get on the search method. I was of the belief that if a buyer wanted to use my IDX then they would contact me when they were ready to buy without me having to hijack them from a potential listing agent.

luxury homes in Los Angeles, CA Endre Barath,Jr.

Keep in mind I make less money than some of those agents who claim to register potential buyers before they let them search the MLS/IDX (The Multiple Listing Service) on their website. I had this discussion with my coworkers and friends many times….The long and short of it, you could go on my website without registering and pick a property you like and call me to show it to you…

Anyway I have notice fewer and fewer calls and emails to ask about other agent’s properties….

Fast forward to today I was reading on Inman News and Theresa Bordman had this comment:

luxury condominiums in Los Angeles,CA Endre Barath

Sometimes change happens so slowly that we don't notice it. We keep paying for services that we may no longer need. I've been wondering lately whether providing Internet data exchange (IDX) listing search on my websites and blog is still necessary.

Buyers who contact me today have already started looking for homes for sale on the Internet, and they rarely need my help finding homes. Some get into my car clutching a piece of paper that has the logo of the largest real estate company in these parts on it.

luxury condominiums in Los Angeles,CA Endre Barath

I am a firm believer that buyers go to Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com and or The MLS.com or any other search engine to look for homes.

Somewhere along the lines they saw your profile or read your blog and they felt connected with what your internet profile said about you and they reached out to you! Tell me if I am wrong and where I am going wrong. According to Inman News….. Theresa Bordman says, she will… continue to offer IDX home search on my website next year as a service. I may also try some testing with and without a home search….

view homes in los angeles,ca endre barath,jr

OK so please help me out what is your take? Where am I going wrong? Is IDX past it’s time? Are the main search engines the choice of buyers??

If you are a consumer who is considering buying or selling a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Playa Vista, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 or email me at homes@endrebarath.com or visit one of my websites at http://www.endrebarath.com Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of my commission to Local Animal Rescue

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Ron and Alexandra Seigel

Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA

Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Endre,

We have several answers for this one...It depends how you use the IDX and what your strategy is regarding it. The best example I can give you, is that one needs to set parameters.

Some of luxury clients set the search functionality at a $1million dollars plus (if that is the definition of luxury in that market), or $500,000 in others.) The logic here is that buyers in that price range are not interested in seeing everything on the IDX, and it makes their search easier..

A

Sep 14, 2012 07:23 AM

Rob D. Shepherd

RETIRED - Florence, OR

RETIRED

I have had an idx on my web for years with some success. Latley not so much.

Sep 14, 2012 07:30 AM

Endre Barath, Jr.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA

Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Alexandra great observation about setting parameters!

Rob I guess you confirm the Inman Report's observation.

Corinne glad to hear that you thought the forced sign up was detrimental to relation building.

Sep 14, 2012 07:59 AM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Endre, personally I make use of the IDX I think it's a great feature especially when creating neighborhood links for blogging purposes. I don not force registration and actually have been getting much more action with my IDX...I use two.

One issue I've experienced with forced registration in the past has been a larger number of "daffy ducks", "president Obama's" and a bucket load of unmentionables...of course there are the equally fictional phone numbers.

Sep 14, 2012 08:27 AM

Endre Barath, Jr.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA

Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

NIck that is interesting that you had more activity, I notice the same with open house activity has increased and if you force people to sign in the same result:)

Sep 14, 2012 09:20 AM

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES

Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL

Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Endre, I still have the IDX and I don't make them register neither. Some people still like to sign up for notifier as an alternative option and then I have an opportunity to follow up to find out whether their searches can be fine tuned. But most of my best leads come from other efforts and sources.

Sep 14, 2012 09:24 AM

Endre Barath, Jr.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA

Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Silvia, same here the best leads I find from people who click on my listings at various portals like Trulia, Zillow....

Sep 14, 2012 09:26 AM

Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker

Janisch & Co. - Conroe, TX

Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!

IDX is pretty helpful for engaging consumers. Other than that it can be a bit tedious at times.

Sep 14, 2012 11:01 AM

Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner

Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA

Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

Thought provoking post Endre. I will need to think about this. I definitely agree that forced signup is a killer for the relationship. Like I said, need to think - You might be onto something.

Sep 14, 2012 11:20 AM

Endre Barath, Jr.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA

Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Jeanne & Ralph nice to hear that it works for your

Denise it caught my interest as I was reading the Inman News commentary. Look forward to your next comment!

Sep 14, 2012 12:16 PM

Juli Vosmik

Dominion Fine Properties - Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale/Cave Creek, AZ real estate 480-710-0739

Endre, I'm SO WITH YOU. Before I got my license here in AZ and was buying homes, I had picked out the agent I would use, but I didn't CARE that I he/she didn't have her own IDX connection. There's so many avenues into the internet for anyone with minimum internet knowledge to find everything. However, I will be updating my IDX connection because the last one got corrupted - you never know, LOL.

Sep 14, 2012 01:23 PM

Endre Barath, Jr.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA

Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Juli, thank you for your input as a previous buyer, yes I find that most buyers start on the internet, but I am not so sure they start on my Website, rather the main portals and if they see a connections than they hook up with me!

Sep 14, 2012 03:45 PM

Laura Allen, Lake Tahoe - Truckee Real Estate for Sale TahoeLauraRealEstate.com

Coldwell Banker Realty, Tahoe City, CA (530) 414-1260 - Tahoe City, CA

Tahoe Real Estate Agent Helping Buyers and Sellers

Endre - I use IDX for specific searches, REO, Short Sale, luxury searches, specific neighborhood and condo listing searches and those specific searches are getting good rankings which is making the phone ring.

Sep 14, 2012 03:56 PM

Endre Barath, Jr.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA

Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Laura, I like the idea of specific searches just like Alexandra said in her comment. Maybe I need to reconsider and re-evaluate how I use my IDX. Thank you for sharing!

Sep 14, 2012 04:07 PM

Denise Hamlin, Broker/Owner

Cardinal Realty ~ 319-400-0268 - Iowa City, IA

Helping Happy Clients Make Smart Choices

I'm with Laura on the saved searches. I have saved searches by school district and I know buyers like them a lot.

I think I agree with you Endre that the regular search is not necessarily of any value with so many other options out there. Google indexes the specific search and buyers come into the site directly looking for homes in specific school districts so I know it's a value to them. It has the added benefit that it shows we know the area.

Sep 15, 2012 02:44 AM

Endre Barath, Jr.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA

Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Denise, yes Laura seems to have a good technique with the specific searches. Love Google my friend Mr Google brings a lot of inquiries!

Sep 15, 2012 07:11 AM

Harrison K. Long

HomeSmart, Evergreen Realty - Irvine, CA

REALTOR , GRI, Broker associate, Attorney

Endre ... I have also wondered about IDX on broker and Realtor agent web sites and whether potential clients would rather get their property information without registering.

I changed the search tool on a site and now allow people to get to the IDX listings without registering. I don't see any serious change of activity there. So I am not sure whether requiring registration or not is important.

IDX is probably a tool that Realtors should have on their sites - especially if it can be SEO enhanced and get attention through Google - like it's accomplished by Zillow.

Sep 16, 2012 05:19 AM

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