Q: What is Broker Reciprocity / Internet Data Exchange / IDX?
A: Broker Reciprocity, known in technical circles as Internet Data Exchange, is the policy instituted by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to govern how MLS Member participants can display active MLS listing information on their web sites.

Q: Why should I care about IDX?
A: IDX allows for the greatest amount of exposure of an MLS's property listings. Small Brokers with few listings can drive Clients to their sites, with the Client being confident that they aren't missing listings. Large Brokers can retain more Clients and increase their value by providing a single source for a region's listings.

Stated another way, it levels the Internet playing field and maximizes the visibility of listings.

• If you are the Buying Agent or Broker, you can be sure that you are presenting your web site viewer with the greatest sellable inventory possible, all of which the client will learn about through your web site.
• If you are the Selling Agent or Broker, your listings will be visible to all of the web site visitors on all of the web sites of the other Member participants of your MLS.

Q: Why should I use ListingWare instead of/in addition to services from national real estate web sites?
A: Listing display services from sites like Realtor.com or MSN Home Advisor do give your listings more exposure on a national level, but when it comes down to it, most of your business will be done locally. Also, when the national sites show properties, they are doing so without regard to the individual agent or broker. Those sites consider themselves the center of the real estate picture.

ListingWare keeps you, the MLS Member, at the center of the real estate picture. You can present access to the full MLS database to clients through your web site. When clients see listings they like, they are informed the they should contact you to learn more about them, giving you the maximum Buyer's Agent/Broker opportunities.

Q: Why should I use ListingWare? My MLS has a web site already - Can't I just refer my visitors there?
A: If your MLS already has a web site, that is good - they are also doing their part in giving the Members' listings maximum exposure. However, when listings are presented through your MLS's web site, they show the detail of who the Listing Agent and Broker are and how to contact them. If you refer a client there, you may lose them to another Member.

With ListingWare, your MLS has chosen the best solution for you, the Member. You can present access to the full MLS database to clients through your web site. When clients see listings they like, they are informed the they should contact you to learn more about them, giving you the maximum Buyer's Agent/Broker opportunities.

Q: Wait a minute! If I'm selling someone else's listings, I have to split the commission with them. Why should I care about that?
A: That is true - if you're the Buyer's Agent/Broker, there is also a Listing or Selling Agent/Broker. Your commission may be cut in half on those listings, but your sellable inventory has gone from a handful to thousands! With your volume of sales tripled, quadrupled or more, wouldn't that be worth it?

Additionally, many states are inacting guidelines for real estate professionals that don't allow them to act on behalf of both the Buyer and Seller. This is due to the fact that it is difficult to represent both parties fairly and objectively. The real estate transaction process is still a complex one, and Buyers will go on needing someone to represent their interests. Shouldn't it be you?

Q: Is confidential information displayed?
A: As with all other information from your MLS, only public information is shown to the public.

Q: Who governs Broker Reciprocity / IDX?
A: Broker Reciprocity is governed at the national level by NAR. Each MLS also has its own policy. Please contact your MLS for theirs.

Q: When was the Broker Reciprocity / IDX policy approved?
A: The NAR Board of Directors approved the policy on May 22, 2000.

Q: When did Broker Reciprocity / IDX become mandatory?
A: All MLSs had to have a policy and procedure for data distribution in place by January 1, 2002. If your MLS does not have a policy or procedure yet, tell us about it so that we can get them the ListingWare solution!

Q: How can I find out more about Broker Reciprocity?
A: You can read the update at One Realtor Place, which includes the full text of the policy at the bottom of the page.