Comments on: A Fistful of Feeds http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/ Seattle's Leading Resource for Real Estate Information Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:58:13 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Dear Zillow-meisters – Better start makin’ copies of the Trulia-nator | Rain City Guide | A Seattle Real Estate Blog... http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-241025 Dear Zillow-meisters – Better start makin’ copies of the Trulia-nator | Rain City Guide | A Seattle Real Estate Blog... Wed, 09 Jan 2008 08:07:29 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-241025 [...] What’s this mean for Zillow? Just when Zillow’s listings feed program was getting off the ground, Trulia does this! I’m guessing the sales & engineering departments just learned what they going to be working on for the next several months. [...] [...] What’s this mean for Zillow? Just when Zillow’s listings feed program was getting off the ground, Trulia does this! I’m guessing the sales & engineering departments just learned what they going to be working on for the next several months. [...]

]]> By: FBS Blog » Blog Archive » POLL: Do Brokers Care About RETS? http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-238647 FBS Blog » Blog Archive » POLL: Do Brokers Care About RETS? Fri, 04 Jan 2008 04:59:35 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-238647 [...] In anticipation of that meeting, I’m wondering: Do brokers care about RETS?  This is a good question that’s already come up in earlier discussions I’ve had with David Gibbons from Zillow, who made the point that their broker clients aren’t asking them to support RETS.  This is a good point David makes and points to the fact that, until recently, RETS was more focused on moving listing data around than it was on making sure the listing data was standardized.  With the development of the listing and property schema, however, RETS now offers the potential to solve many of the core problems brokers face regularly.  In this regard, I think brokers care about RETS in the same way they care about how electricity gets to their office. In other words, they don’t care, as long as it gets the job done, and the job is: [...] [...] In anticipation of that meeting, I’m wondering: Do brokers care about RETS?  This is a good question that’s already come up in earlier discussions I’ve had with David Gibbons from Zillow, who made the point that their broker clients aren’t asking them to support RETS.  This is a good point David makes and points to the fact that, until recently, RETS was more focused on moving listing data around than it was on making sure the listing data was standardized.  With the development of the listing and property schema, however, RETS now offers the potential to solve many of the core problems brokers face regularly.  In this regard, I think brokers care about RETS in the same way they care about how electricity gets to their office. In other words, they don’t care, as long as it gets the job done, and the job is: [...]

]]> By: Toby Barnett http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-186480 Toby Barnett Sat, 29 Sep 2007 01:46:38 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-186480 Hey Robbie & David G, I have not looked into using vFlyer or Postlets to assist in feed Z & T but I do currently use MLSFinder as a IDX provider. Also, I have to say that I've dropped the ball and haven't looked into it further since posting the comment. I am interested in what Robbie points out: "Ideally, the listings feed should either be maintained by your MLS or your IDX vendor (since they already have direct digital access to the listing information, it should be straight forward them to implement)." David G, I am not sure I fully understand: "We are also strongly considering a CSV format - in which case, you could use excel to build your feed. If that would be your preference, let me know." I know what a CSV format but not how to deliver it. I could be rambling here with no info from my IDX provider...I will send them an email now and get it going. Thanks for the help guys!! Dinasaur Realtor, not sure what your getting at. Are you saying, more than providing a better service that Z, Cyberhomes will offer an simple sindication service that will accept any type of feeds? Hey Robbie & David G,

I have not looked into using vFlyer or Postlets to assist in feed Z & T but I do currently use MLSFinder as a IDX provider. Also, I have to say that I’ve dropped the ball and haven’t looked into it further since posting the comment.

I am interested in what Robbie points out:

“Ideally, the listings feed should either be maintained by your MLS or your IDX vendor (since they already have direct digital access to the listing information, it should be straight forward them to implement).”

David G, I am not sure I fully understand: “We are also strongly considering a CSV format – in which case, you could use excel to build your feed. If that would be your preference, let me know.” I know what a CSV format but not how to deliver it.

I could be rambling here with no info from my IDX provider…I will send them an email now and get it going.

Thanks for the help guys!!

Dinasaur Realtor, not sure what your getting at. Are you saying, more than providing a better service that Z, Cyberhomes will offer an simple sindication service that will accept any type of feeds?

]]> By: David G http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-185870 David G Thu, 27 Sep 2007 23:16:23 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-185870 Hey Toby - That's why we started out with listings posted manually. Many agents and small brokerages prefer to input their listing to the site than figuring out how to feed them. If you already use a real estate website service like point2's ... or a listings syndication service like v-flyer, you'd have no additional work to do to integrate with Zillow. We are also strongly considering a CSV format - in which case, you could use excel to build your feed. If that would be your preference, let me know. d Hey Toby –

That’s why we started out with listings posted manually. Many agents and small brokerages prefer to input their listing to the site than figuring out how to feed them. If you already use a real estate website service like point2’s … or a listings syndication service like v-flyer, you’d have no additional work to do to integrate with Zillow.

We are also strongly considering a CSV format – in which case, you could use excel to build your feed. If that would be your preference, let me know.

d

]]> By: dinasour realtor http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-185811 dinasour realtor Thu, 27 Sep 2007 21:15:50 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-185811 cyberhomes.com is now getting our nor cal mls data in a few weeks. They will be commoditizing the role of a realtor and giving buyers and sellers tools to do most of the work themselves. This sure sucks for local realtors who are trying to compete by having a better value proposition. Soon all realtors will offer the same basic service and be paid salaries. Cyberhomes.com should kick zillow and trulia's butt because the have the public record data, they now are getting the mls data via rets, and they have deep competencies with transaction management and they are using that competency to support buyers and sellers doing more work and agents using best practices. cyberhomes.com is now getting our nor cal mls data in a few weeks. They will be commoditizing the role of a realtor and giving buyers and sellers tools to do most of the work themselves. This sure sucks for local realtors who are trying to compete by having a better value proposition. Soon all realtors will offer the same basic service and be paid salaries. Cyberhomes.com should kick zillow and trulia’s butt because the have the public record data, they now are getting the mls data via rets, and they have deep competencies with transaction management and they are using that competency to support buyers and sellers doing more work and agents using best practices.

]]> By: Robbie http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-185354 Robbie Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:38:08 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-185354 In the case of a small office, it's probably best to use a tool like vFlyer or Postlets. The upside/downside with such tools it that you only enter the data twice (once into your MLS and again into their platform/tool chain). Entering the listing data twice is better than the low tech alternative (entering it in up to dozens of places). Of course, that's at least twice as much work than the high tech solution. Ideally, the listings feed should either be maintained by your MLS or your IDX vendor (since they already have direct digital access to the listing information, it should be straight forward them to implement). In that case, whenever you change the data in the MLS, it'll get reflected into your feed instantly (depending of course on how your IDX vendor interacts with your MLS). The problem with this approach is you need to have an MLS or IDX vendor who is responsive to your needs and desires (which can be difficult or expensive to find). Or conversely, have the technical skills necessary to build it yourself (in which case, you'd probably be writing software for living instead of selling houses). In the case of a small office, it’s probably best to use a tool like vFlyer or Postlets. The upside/downside with such tools it that you only enter the data twice (once into your MLS and again into their platform/tool chain). Entering the listing data twice is better than the low tech alternative (entering it in up to dozens of places). Of course, that’s at least twice as much work than the high tech solution.

Ideally, the listings feed should either be maintained by your MLS or your IDX vendor (since they already have direct digital access to the listing information, it should be straight forward them to implement). In that case, whenever you change the data in the MLS, it’ll get reflected into your feed instantly (depending of course on how your IDX vendor interacts with your MLS).

The problem with this approach is you need to have an MLS or IDX vendor who is responsive to your needs and desires (which can be difficult or expensive to find). Or conversely, have the technical skills necessary to build it yourself (in which case, you’d probably be writing software for living instead of selling houses).

]]> By: Toby Barnett http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-185324 Toby Barnett Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:38:17 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-185324 I have found it challenging to find an simple and effective way to feed listings into Z & T. Being limited on the technological skills its takes to build "said" requirements has me asking providers and chasing down answers when I partly don't understand the question. As a small office there isn't a war chest laying around to be used when the latest technology, or a semi-standard, hit the industry. The perspective I look at it from is giving the most exposure for our cleints in a the most streamlined fashion because my time should be spent on generating more business than continually uploading and editing listings each time there is a change. I have found it challenging to find an simple and effective way to feed listings into Z & T. Being limited on the technological skills its takes to build “said” requirements has me asking providers and chasing down answers when I partly don’t understand the question.

As a small office there isn’t a war chest laying around to be used when the latest technology, or a semi-standard, hit the industry.

The perspective I look at it from is giving the most exposure for our cleints in a the most streamlined fashion because my time should be spent on generating more business than continually uploading and editing listings each time there is a change.

]]> By: Michael Wurzer http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-181574 Michael Wurzer Tue, 18 Sep 2007 03:25:27 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-181574 David, how many brokers are submitting listings to you so far using your new data feed format? Whatever the number, I suggest to you it would be more if you didn't insist on proprietary protocols, which only make life difficult for those of us who are trying to help agents and brokers manage their listing data. David, how many brokers are submitting listings to you so far using your new data feed format? Whatever the number, I suggest to you it would be more if you didn’t insist on proprietary protocols, which only make life difficult for those of us who are trying to help agents and brokers manage their listing data.

]]> By: me http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-181565 me Tue, 18 Sep 2007 03:08:13 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-181565 If you strike out the method of transport from RETS spec, and simply use the RETS schema payload to define a listing, then life is simple. Anyone can use it, customize it, prune it, whatever. Defining a transport that isnt inherently off the shelf is part of the complexity with RETS. If you strike out the method of transport from RETS spec, and simply use the RETS schema payload to define a listing, then life is simple. Anyone can use it, customize it, prune it, whatever. Defining a transport that isnt inherently off the shelf is part of the complexity with RETS.

]]> By: Robbie http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-181381 Robbie Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:40:23 +0000 http://raincityguide.com/2007/09/15/a-fistful-of-feeds/#comment-181381 30 feed formats! I thought I was thorough, and I only have about 10 feed formats right now. Regardless, I think we've made a strong case on our ends (producing end). The trick is making a strong case on their end (consuming end) and more importantly, our mutual customers (brokers & agents). Perhaps the more interesting question is why haven't Zillow & Trulia customers demanded they support RETS? I'd like to think that Z & T aspire to be responsive to customer needs. And if their customers wanted them to consume RETS instead of YAXS (yet another XML schema), they'd be willing to do it. (Especially if it would put them in a stronger competitive position vs their common foe, Realtor.com). Maybe agents & brokers are so elated at getting free internet promotion of their listings and the opportunity to bring Realtor.com some real competition for their listings, that they forget the software engineering time & effort involved to enable the scenario? After all, many folks have been getting free Realtor.com promotion via their MLS for nearly 10 years, that they've forgotten how much work went into getting that infrastructure implemented in the first place. (I can only imagine how much effort it took for the industry to create the web based MLS / IDX infrastructure that we all take for granted today). It could also be that big brokers consider the software engineering cost to be small and since they can spread out the fixed cost over hundreds or thousands of listings, so in the end, it's just a small added cost of doing business to them. The small brokers and agents really have no idea of the effort involved required to create this infrastructure (so they are really at the mercy of their MLS or IDX). Granted, I think RETS will become the standard in the MLS / Broker / IDX space. The trick is convincing brokers and vendors beyond real estate's "inner circle" to support and advocate for it. 30 feed formats! I thought I was thorough, and I only have about 10 feed formats right now.

Regardless, I think we’ve made a strong case on our ends (producing end). The trick is making a strong case on their end (consuming end) and more importantly, our mutual customers (brokers & agents).
Perhaps the more interesting question is why haven’t Zillow & Trulia customers demanded they support RETS? I’d like to think that Z & T aspire to be responsive to customer needs. And if their customers wanted them to consume RETS instead of YAXS (yet another XML schema), they’d be willing to do it. (Especially if it would put them in a stronger competitive position vs their common foe, Realtor.com).

Maybe agents & brokers are so elated at getting free internet promotion of their listings and the opportunity to bring Realtor.com some real competition for their listings, that they forget the software engineering time & effort involved to enable the scenario? After all, many folks have been getting free Realtor.com promotion via their MLS for nearly 10 years, that they’ve forgotten how much work went into getting that infrastructure implemented in the first place. (I can only imagine how much effort it took for the industry to create the web based MLS / IDX infrastructure that we all take for granted today).

It could also be that big brokers consider the software engineering cost to be small and since they can spread out the fixed cost over hundreds or thousands of listings, so in the end, it’s just a small added cost of doing business to them. The small brokers and agents really have no idea of the effort involved required to create this infrastructure (so they are really at the mercy of their MLS or IDX).

Granted, I think RETS will become the standard in the MLS / Broker / IDX space. The trick is convincing brokers and vendors beyond real estate’s “inner circle” to support and advocate for it.

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