PODCAST: RETS2 and you

RETS is a behind the scenes technology your IDX or web company uses to import MLS data. RETS helps keep the data uniform as MLS information varies substantially between providers.

I met Paula O’Brien of Ronin Technologies at NAR in New Orleans and she was gracious enough to offer herself up for this interview. Who is Paula O’Brien, you ask? One of the brave developers behind RETS (Real Estate Transfer Specification). Confused? Don’t be. RETS is a behind the scenes technology your IDX or web company uses to import MLS data. RETS helps keep the data uniform as MLS information varies substantially between providers. This may get a bit geeky, but it is well worth it to listen to the changes that the RETS2 specification will have and what that means for you.

Learn, straight from a developers mouth what RETS is, what you can do with it, and what changes are on the horizon for this technology. RSS Pieces uses RETS in developing blogs for real estate professionals so we can pull SEOed listings through our system. To do this, we need an agents RETS login to their MLS provider. I can’t tell you how many times I have been asked what RETS is, so I figured, who better to hear it from than one of RETS’ developers.

On a personal note, Paula, beyond being adorable in person, is an engaging conversationalist. After the interview we probably spoke for another 20 or so minutes about everything from the rebuilding of New Orleans to old movies. If you have the opportunity to attend the next RETS meeting in San Diego, CA this December, invite this lovely lady out for a coffee – you won’t be disappointed!

Thank-you, Paula, for your time and hope to talk with you again!

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Posted on January 22, 2007 03:43:37 by Mary.McKnight

Comment from: Tracy TC [Visitor]

· http://www.idxdirect.com

FYI, it's RE Transaction Standard, not RE Transfer Specification.

From rets.org: About RETS
The Real Estate Transaction Standard is a common language spoken by systems that handle real estate information, such as multiple listing services. A common language enables computers like the one on your desk to receive information from many different real estate systems or MLSs without being specially "trained" to understand the information from each....

Permalink January 25, 2007 23:23:46

Comment from: admin [Member]

Tracy,

Thanks for the correction and the links! So much to understand... it's nice to have someone who really understands the technology explaining it.

A special thanks to both Tracy and Paula on sharing their expertise.

Permalink January 26, 2007 12:27:41

Comment from: Tracy TC [Visitor]

· http://www.idxdirect.com

My pleasure! Call on me any time for IDX background and thoughts. We've been in the space since the beginning and serve enough markets around the country to have a good feeling for what is going on in the bigger picture.

On another topic, I'm a huge fan of what you're doing for realtors with SEO and blogging! Keep up the great work.

Permalink May 11, 2007 12:01:45

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