One thing I’m struggling with is coming up w/ a fair trade. I can’t afford translators, (and I’m sure my customers can’t afford the software engineering labor it takes to develop multi-lingual web sites). I think trading translation work for free software engineering labor w/ potential customers seems like a fair trade. We both get a product we couldn’t get otherwise…

Another issue is the old MLS download agreements. Unfortunately, an agent’s choice in IDX vendors is limited by their broker’s decisions. If I did implement this, an agent’s broker would be on the hook for a data download agreement w/ me in order to deploy it.

Which language markets are the largest? Where is the need greatest? I’m guessing Spanish is the biggest followed by Chinese? I’m wondering where I should focus my efforts first? How is the greater Seattle area different than the rest of the US? I have a hunch east Asian languages would be a higher priority than western European languages (except Spanish) would be.

Tony, I assume your connections have experience w/ software localization? Localizing software effectively is unique skill set that usually requires unique tools and is different than other forms of media localization. It’s not a insurmountable obstacle, since I could always teach the techniques involved, but it does the require that translators be willing to learn about the technology at a certain level.

I have just become licensed and in my former life, owned/ran Language Schools in the U.S. and UK for 30+ years and so the subject of language issues is close to my heart.

Realtors have so many more opportunities with the knowledge of other languages and cultures and this fact becomes daily more poignant. A non-English speaking client is often hampered by more than just language issues; cultural and life experience factor into the equation. Putting a client at ease and instilling confidence when you do not share the same language is a skill that can be learned and I would be happy to share some tips with you.

Additionally, I do have access to professional translation in just about any language (via my old company) plus a wife from Spain who is always happy to help out!

Just drop me a line if you need anything.

I’m on the Cultural Diversity Committee for the Seattle King Co Assoc of Realtors and I will mention this at our next meeting. What a great idea. Meanwhile, I will find the list of bi-lingual Realtors and send it your way.

In fact, I’d like to help you make the experience easier! The problem is that I only know English, and a bunch of computer languages (so I can’t translate my IDX web sites into Spanish by myself unless I want to hire a translator).

If you (or anybody else) know of any Spanish language speaking (or another “popular” language) real estate professional in the NWMLS, who’d be willing to trade language translation work for MLS/IDX web site hosting, I’m willing to enhance my software so it’s multi-lingual. I’d rather “give away” a free web site to an agent/broker who’ll use it, than hire translators and risk never finding a Spanish speaking customer. Especially since developing multi-lingual software is not an easy or cheap thing to do.