How Can I Get a RETS Feed?

22 Sep 2017 Posted at 17:21h by
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Please note that the Real Estate Transaction Standard (RETS) has been deprecated and is no longer recommended for use in MLS/IDX integration. Consumers are advised to use the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) Web API, which provides a more efficient and secure way of accessing MLS/IDX data. We strongly encourage all users to transition to RESO Web API for a better and more reliable experience. Learn more

You can get a RETS feed by researching a vendor to do the necessary technical work, and then contacting your MLS administrator for the paperwork and fees. Once complete, the MLS will issue a login to the RETS database and your vendor will establish the RETS feed.

If you are considering a move away from IDX framing, you may have heard of a RETS feed as the best alternative.

A RETS feed is a personalized raw data connection between your website and your MLS based on the Real Estate Transaction Standard, allowing you to import property listings, and with the right software, display them on your website.

We have an introductory post on RETS feeds here: https://realtyna.com/blog/what-is-a-rets-feed/

We’ve created this article to guide you through the process of acquiring a RETS feed.

THE BASICS

The first thing to know about getting a RETS feed is that the process is different for each MLS. But at the very least it will involve four things:

1) Licensing Paperwork
With a RETS feed you will be able to pull raw property listing data from your MLS servers and host this data on your own servers. Naturally the MLS have a number of rules that accompany this right. These rules are stipulated in the licensing paperwork, which you will need to sign.

2) Participant
The participant is you. The MLS only typically will license a RETS feed to their own members. So your MLS administrator will be looking to confirm you are participating MLS member in good standing. If you are not a member of the MLS, you’ll likely need to become when before you can acquire a RETS feed.

3) Vendor/Consultant/Developer
Most real estate professionals do not have the time or technical background to establish and configure the RETS feed between the MLS servers and their website servers, so they hire a third-party for these tasks. Because these third parties may have access to the MLS data, they too are required to sign the licensing paperwork. The third-party may take several forms, depending on the level of involvement with the day-to-day management of the RETS feed and participant website.

– If the third-party plans to continually manage the RETS feed for this participant and others, it would generally be considered a vendor.

– If the third-party will be conducting a one-time set up of the RETS feed connection, but will leave management to the participant, it would generally be considered a consultant.
– There is also the possibility of an in-house developer for larger offices that have dedicated web personnel on staff.

4) RETS login credentials
These are the username and password to access the MLS database. They are issued only after the licensing paperwork is signed and approved, and they are confidential.

STEPS TO GET A RETS FEED

1. Find a vendor or consultant that can do the technical work related to your feed

2. Contact your MLS administrator for paperwork and fees

3. Complete the licensing documents and return them to the MLS

4. Make payments for set up and the first month, if necessary

5. MLS will issue RETS login credentials

6. Vendor will connect your site to the MLS and establish a RETS feed

THE REALTYNA WAY

At Realtyna, we’ve been working on online real estate solutions for more than eight years. Our signature product is Organic MLS Integration. It is a full package software suite allowing you to connect your WordPress website to your MLS via RETS feed.

You can read more here: https://realtyna.com/mls-integration-for-wpl/

We can take any role in your project depending on your technical background and needs. We are an approved member of the Real Estate Standards Organization, and we have established data connections with more than 100 MLS around the country.

Contact us today for a free consult.

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Disclaimer

The opinions or information expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official views, policy, or position of Realtyna. The information on Realtyna’s Website is general, for informational purposes only, and is not to be relied upon or interpreted as real estate, legal, accounting, or other professional advice or a substitute. Please discuss anything related to the certification process, professional advice or legal procedures with your MLS providers.

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4 Comments
  • Dan
    Posted at 16:26h, 21 May

    How do companies like BoomtownROI and Realgeeks get the data for all MLS’s?

    • Morgan Taylor
      Posted at 06:42h, 20 June

      Hi Dan! Thanks for your question. As far as I understand, companies like these use IDX/RETS technology like Realtyna, which still requires feed access from the MLSs. The main difference in our solution is that all data is hosted on your own servers, you will own the data/technology for life, and we offer one-time payments. 🙂 Let us know if you have any other questions!

  • John B
    Posted at 13:10h, 28 July

    Hi. What’s the difference between a RETS feed and API? In GA MLSs apparently have different methods of pulling the data and I’m a bit lost on what’s what.

    • Tait Militana
      Posted at 04:20h, 29 July

      Hi John, the API is a simpler, more flexible transfer technology designed ultimately to replace RETS. We go into more details on the subject here: What is the difference between the RESO Web API and RETS? Let us know if you have any other questions. As a company, we provide IDX solutions for both RETS and API.