Questions and Answers
WIREX stands for the WIsconsin Real Estate EXchange. The purpose of WIREX is to create a facility for all Wisconsin MLSs to share and combine their content into a single database for the use and benefit of all MLS Participants, subject to a Data Sharing Agreement and Common IDX Rules applicable to the database.
The development of WIREX involves the content exchange between the Multiple Listing Service, Inc. (Milwaukee), the REALTORS® Association of Northeast Wisconsin MLS, Inc. and the South Central Wisconsin MLS Corporation. Through their ongoing efforts, a Data Sharing Agreement and Common IDX Rules have been created and approved by the three organizations. In addition, an agreement with a business partner has been reached for the development and hosting of the common database.
WIREX is the result of an invitation made by the South Central Wisconsin MLS to MLS, Inc and the RANW MLS to engage in a discussion to explore the possibility of sharing data. These three MLS’s represent the three largest databases, and each one uses a different software provider. It was believed that if they could create the technology to merge their data, then it would be easier to add others in the future. The interest was to go beyond existing reciprocal access agreements and make the data more useful to brokers in their business’.
MRIS (Metropolitan Regional Information Services) was the unanimous selection by the three MLSs after considering nine possible solutions. MRIS is the located in Rockville, MD and is the largest MLS in the nation. It has experience and expertise in bringing together multiple databases into a single source.
It is the hope that all MLSs in Wisconsin will elect to become involved in WIREX.
Currently the process of setting up the database, including the mapping of the data from each of the three MLSs, is taking place. Once the database is established and stabilized sometime in 2008, additional MLSs will be added.
Kevin McQueen of Focus Forward Consulting has been hired by the WRA Board of Directors to facilitate and to assist the MLSs and their leadership in the creation of WIREX and its implementation. For more information about Kevin, visit his web site at kevinmcqueen.com. Kevin can be reached by telephone at 248-374-1045 or via mail at kevin@kevinmcqueen.com.
No. Whether or not an MLS elects to become involved is a decision made by that MLS’s Board of Directors. However, it is the hope that all MLSs will do so.
The data content from each MLS will include all descriptive data fields for current active listings and for off-market listings (sold, pending, expired and withdrawn) for the most current three (3) years. Content also includes all available photos, available history records, available associated documents, available property tax records of the supplied listings, and available membership data needed to provide contact information, firm and agent names.
Yes, an offer of cooperation and compensation will accompany all properties that are included in the shared database. However, one must remember that licensees may not provide services which he or she is not competent to provide (unless the assistance of one who is competent is engaged – RL 24.03(2)). Therefore, before seeking to accept an offer of compensation, consider whether you are competent to provide the services.
No, this is not a state-wide MLS. Rather it is the agreement among Wisconsin MLSs to share data content on a state-wide basis in a single database in order for MLS Participants to better serve their clients and customers.
You may elect to retain your memberships in different MLSs. However, it will not be necessary to belong to another MLS (other than your “main” MLS) in order to access the data, assuming that MLS participates in WIREX.
There will be an allocation of costs to the MLS to be a part of the shared database. Costs to members will be established independently by your respective MLS.
Not necessarily. If your MLS elects to bring the shared database back to your current MLS system, you will continue to use your current software program.
Yes.
