Testing MLS/IDX - Please review

[frobn]

I are testing MLS/IDX solutions at:

http://websidesigns.com/index.php

Here is a open-realty integrated approach
http://websidedesigns.com/listingsearch.php

and an approach that clones the look and feel of the local MLS/IDX

http://websidedesigns.com/search_mls.php

I would appreciate comments and any suggestions on how to improve on them.

NOTE: This is a test site only and not a production site.

Thanks,
Frank

[RealEstate]

Are these real listings from the MLS?

How are you getting them into your database?

[frobn]

Are these real listings from the MLS?

How are you getting them into your database?

For the integrated approach we are downloading the MLS database and converting the data for open-realty tables.

In the second approach we are intercepting the IDX frame before it is displayed.

Regards,

[neparealtor.com]

I found the listingsearch to listing_browse to be fast. Was it hard to convert the MLS database structure over to the OR structure? I noticed that the feature "Arrange to view this property" does not work and throws out a 404 error and I think you should take out the "Listed by Admin" on the top of the page. But all in all nice job on the import.

[RealEstate]

The site looks good.
For the integrated approach , how are you making sure you're not duplicating listings?

[ResaleBroker]

In general, how do you intercept the frame before it is displayed?

[frobn]

Thanks for your comments guys.

Was it hard to convert the MLS database structure over to the OR structure?

Converting is not hard, but is tedious and you have to have a plan before you start. The data comes in a csv file and some parts like features are coded. There were over 600 features but we only coded for about 50 of them.

For the integrated approach , how are you making sure you're not duplicating listings?

The data is downloaded at regular intervals using cron. The tables are emptied before adding the new data. We originally were going to filter out duplicates but then we wouldn't be able to update individual properties that changed during the interval. Everything is a compromise. I have asked the programmer to flag the realtor's mls listings and mark them as featured.

...how do you intercept the frame before it is displayed?

I am not a programmer but the general concept is that when a request to the IDX is made the incoming file is saved to a temp file, parsed and re-assembled for display. Php and pearl libraries are used to capture the incoming file. This is not the best approach as some MLSs do not like it. There is also a lot of coding involved. The part I like about it is that it has an almost identical look and feel to the local MLS making it familiar to visitors who are used to the MLS. I wanted this as a proof of concept and I am thinking of using it in a hybrid approach, without open-realty, where the data is downloaded to the local server, put into a database and used with this framework. It would be a good service for realtors who want a MLS on their site but do not want a full open-realty approach.

[RealEstate]

If you clear the tables, does that mean that listing
http://websidedesigns.com/listingvie...listingID=8312

next week might be a different property?

[ereed]

I'm not sure what the concern is for duplicating listings... In the MLS we are a part of, the data to filter includes a field for the office ID and the agent ID, allowing you to select those as featured listings if you wish.... If the concern is to be sure that your not duplicating in the event of a price change, etc.. , a field exists for selecting active, sold, changeprice, etc. ..

Looks good.

Are you experiencing the slow down that others have reported with having many listings in the database, and if so how are you getting around that?

[frobn]

I'm not sure what the concern is for duplicating listings... In the MLS we are a part of, the data to filter includes a field for the office ID and the agent ID, allowing you to select those as featured listings if you wish.... If the concern is to be sure that your not duplicating in the event of a price change, etc.. , a field exists for selecting active, sold, changeprice, etc. ..

I know you can code for all of these things, it takes time and priorities. As we gain more experience with it we will shape it to our needs.

Are you experiencing the slow down that others have reported with having many listings in the database, and if so how are you getting around that?

Yes, I experience an initial wait of about 30 seconds then everything loads quickly. I don't know what others from different areas are experiencing and I would appreciate feedback.

If you clear the tables, does that mean that listing
http://websidedesigns.com/listingvi...?listingID=8312

next week might be a different property?

Ah, I hadn't thought about this but that is what happens. Looks like I will have to make some changes in how features such as favorites work. We should be able to change them to the MLS # which remains constant.

Thanks again for the feedback

Regards,
Frank