Data Feeds and Your Site
IDX, DDF and VOW are all different ways your website communicates with your Real Estate Board to maintain updated, and accurate listing details on your site. Depending on where you live, you may only have one option available to you because not all boards have the same rules.
IDX Websites (Not Available In All Areas)*
A Reciprocity/IDX website is a publicly accessible site which displays (or makes searchable) the MLS® listings belonging to brokerages that have opted into a Broker Reciprocity program. Members who work in Brokerages that have chosen not to opt into reciprocity may not have IDX websites, and their listings will not appear on Reciprocity/IDX sites.
- Does not require a password, visitors can search anonymously without giving up personal information. Full Friendly Service.
- You become registered as the main contact for all listings in your local board (most boards require the name of the brokerage on the listings with no contact information).
- Provide limited information for most listings available through the board.
VOW Websites*:
A Virtual Office Website is a website that is designed to facilitate a relationship between a REALTOR® and a Client. The site does not present listings to the public at large but instead requires the REALTOR® to create (or approve) a registration and search criteria for each client. As with PCS (Private Client Services) and PCS Pro. Since the access and searches are controlled by the REALTOR®, it is not covered under the Reciprocity program. Members in all brokerages may use VOWs.
- Easy, friendly conversion to the VOW package by offering a higher level of service gaining you a lead and permission to contact.
- Provide a greater level of access to property that includes address, days on the market, tax information plus much more
- Extra Searches include new listings, foreclosures, estate sales and many others not available on the IDX system.
- Provides full access to all listings offered by the board!
* Most IDX/VOW policies in Canada are based on rules and regulations set by the local board, Redman services are not offered in all board areas.
Brokerage/Member feeds – These feeds are to allow brokerages or agents to display their listings on the Internet, create other advertising, or use internally
CREA DDF Feeds
The CREA Data Distribution Facility (DDF) is a national system developed to deliver REALTOR® listings to members, franchisees, and advertisers. This feed helps to ensure that the MLS® listing data displayed online is current and accurate. Each of the three DDF modules requires the broker to choose to opt into that module in order for the listings to be included. It also provides members and brokers granular control of which listings go to which destinations. These feeds contain listing information at the same level as REALTOR.ca. DDF Feeds are managed by CREA and can be set up by contacting the CREA helpdesk at helpdesk@crea.ca.
CREA DDF Modules
Module 1 – National Shared Pool / National Franchisor Pool
Once opted in, a brokerage’s listings are included in a pool of listings shared by brokers across the country. If a broker chooses to opt in, the brokerage or members of that brokerage may register for a feed of shared pool listings. The franchisor pool shares the brokerages listings with that brokerages franchise allowing the franchise to have a single point of contact for all member brokerage listings.
Module 2 – Member Website Feeds
Module 2 allows brokerages and members to create feeds of their listings to their websites.
Module 3 – Third Party Distribution
This type of listing feed is available to third party advertisers who are not affiliated with any brokerage. The purpose of this feed is to ensure that, if brokers choose to opt into the feed, the listings that go to these sites are kept current and accurate.