Documentation

MLS/IDX/XML integration

FW Real Estate tutorial for Joomla!

MLS/IDX/XML integration: general information

We provide MLS/IDX/XML integration service to maximize the performance of your real estate website. Integrate your website with the largest Multiple Listing Service to increase your success rate. MLS (Multiple Listing Service) or IDX(Internet Data Exchange) is a database of current real estate listings in a local area. The database is maintained and paid for by the realtors who are the members and the only ones who can access it. It is aimed to allow for a greater cooperation between real estate agents.

How Does the Multiple Listing Service work

The agent submits the information about the property to the MLS/IDX system. Once the property is on the MLS/IDX, all agents having the account can access this information and arrange meetings and showings for their clients. If the property is sold, the participants of the deal split the commission.

Why integrating your real estate website with MLS is important

Keeping your website constantly connected to the MLS/IDX database allows you to fill your website with up-to-date content. Except for the real estate listings, MLS system also contains agent listings. So if the potential client leaves your website, chances are high that they will find an agent there, and not on your website. For that reason, automatic synchronization with MLS property listings is a strategic decision for your real estate business.

Core principles of integration service

MLS/IDX/XML integration service is an out-of-the-box service. To have it implemented you should have a Joomla website built on FW Real Estate extension. If you have it in place, you can integrate your website with MLS/IDX system.

Integration service is delivered in the form of the custom developed plugin. The plugin features the same fields as FW Real Estate extension. In other words, the data will be imported from the MLS/IDX in the fields that are available for FW Real Estate extension. If you need to have some extra fields for the FW Real Estate extension, they can be designed and implemented via this plugin. Every extra field is charged extra as a surcharge over the basic cost of the service. Learn more about the cost of the service and what’s included in the service following these articles:

How integration parameters are managed

The integration parameters are managed via Data Management section. To locate this section, follow the steps below:

  1. Log in to your administrator panel using your credentials.

  2. Locate Components dropdown in the top menu of your Joomla control panel and click on it.

  3. Choose FWRE Agency=>Data Management from the list.

  4. Locate MLS/IDX/XML tab.

Now, you can manage your integration parameters from here. The parameters appear in this tab after the integration process is completed. The integration process involves:

  • Plugin code writing

  • Plugin code implementation

Here is the example of how your MLS/IDX/XML tab may look like after the integration has been done.