National MLS coming soon...sort of.

Currently, each MLS system has a different database format and structure, requiring custom programming by web developers before it can be displayed on a web site. Not only can it be difficult for a programmer to work with just one local MLS database, it becomes a nightmare for any one vendor to accommodate all of the hundreds of different MLS database structures that would have to be imported into a single database of their own, for consistency. The NAR has recently published new national technical standards for internet listing data exchange (IDX). However, its implementation across all MLS systems is far from complete, meaning programming "tweaks" will still be required in many cases. Vendors must maintain a dedicated staff of programmers and legal counsel to deal with all of the different MLS rules and data formats that currently exist, which can become costly.

But a national repository could serve as a building block for a nationwide MLS, said Gary Thomas, chairman of the MLS Future group, but not without formal approvals. "The information that would be contained in this database would be comprehensive; it would be relevant; it would be accurate; it would be objective; (and secure). It would be able to be annotated, supplemented and corrected by the professionals who utilize it," he said.

This data repository would be fully owned by participants, Thomas said, and would have "a standardized data structure so that when you're looking at the records -- no matter whether you're in New York or California -- you would be looking at the same data records. It would have consistent business rules across the entire system."

Thomas noted that the MLS Future group doesn't have any control over MLS corporations, and the first step in the process is to work with consultants to draw up a business plan for the creation of a gateway for the repository.

"Could it lead to a national MLS? It could. Would it be immediately? Absolutely not. Would it be done without your approval? Absolutely not. It would not force any MLS to go out of business-we don't have the right to do that. What we are asking you to do is allow us to go ahead and put the business plan together ... to (facilitate) the creation of this gateway, so that then we can bring it to you and you can make a decision whether you want to go forward," Thomas said.

"A number of technology companies are actively working to aggregate property data and provide such information to consumers, with the potential of creating an ‘information gap' between content available to consumers and reliable information available to REALTORS®," according to a whitepaper prepared by NAR's Leadership Team to explain the scope and importance of the project. "We want to...arm our members with the most comprehensive information imaginable, literally for every property in the U.S. In that way our members will remain in the preeminent position to serve their clients with the best information available for any property," the paper reads.

Take a peak at Wilmington Design's Fetch IDX software application for MLS.

Source: Realtor.org- Daily Real Estate News | May 19, 2008