Powerful MLS Portals

MLS' Partner with Point2

By Yardi Blog Staff on Jun 27, 2013 in Technology

With increasing attention and concern about online real estate data distribution practices and policies, many Multiple-Listing Services are seeking better control of their members’ listing information and looking for opportunities to direct qualified lead traffic straight to brokers and agents.

After extensive engagement with high-level MLS officials and National Association of REALTORS® executives, as well as input from thousands of Realtors®, Point2 has come up with an exciting alternative to third party real estate aggregation. Among the organizations taking advantage of this exciting new offering so far is The Greater El Paso Association of REALTORS® (GEPAR), which has partnered with Point2, to develop a public-facing real estate listings portal focused on the greater El Paso area.

The new website, ElPasoTX.com, provides consumers with information about local properties for sale and rent using timely and accurate data that originates from the GEPAR Multiple Listings Service (MLS). In a move to benefit their 1,900 members, GEPAR created this competitive public portal to send qualified leads directly to the listing brokers and agents.

“Leveraging the same platform already in use for high-traffic international real estate portals like Point2 Homes and PropertyShark, the technology behind our El Paso portal is proven and ready to provide results to GEPAR’s members,” commented Saul Klein, Industry Principal for Point2. “GEPAR has always been on the forefront of technology. We’re very happy to have this opportunity to work with them to bring El Paso a world-class real estate search portal that provides the accurate and up-to-date listing data that today’s consumers demand.”

Point2’s Public Facing MLS Portal Initiative is a way for MLS’ to directly monetize their listing data on a public-facing website that looks great and is easy to navigate and maintain. This white label real estate sales solution, featuring user-friendly, customized design, could be an industry game-changer. GEPAR is just one of many MLS’ nationwide beginning to implement this great new offering.

According to Klein: “Making use of the same platform designed for high traffic, international real estate portals Point2Homes and PropertyShark, the technology behind the solution is proven and ready to provide results for your MLS or Association. Point2 Public Facing MLS Websites are not reliant on dues dollars, and will be a revenue-generating resource, as well as a lead source for members.”

MLS’ will be able to sell ads on their own public facing sites, rather than ceding potential advertising income to a third-party.

“By partnering with Point2, we feel it will position our new public portal and our members as the most trusted source for real estate in our region,” said Jason Sanchez, Director of MLS & Technology for GEPAR. “With sites like Zillow and Trulia dominating the industry, it is crucial that MLSs remain relevant by positioning themselves as the best and most reliable source for real estate in their respective marketplaces.”

More information about Point2 products and services is available at www.Point2.com

Geneva Ives contributed to this report.