Real Estate Agents and Brokers have long been subjected to unfair competition from thrid party listing websites that are able to aggregate listing data across multiple MLS markets.  The rules for displaying MLS listings on Agent and Broker websites require the Agent or Broker to be a member of each MLS to acquire the IDX data feed.  Progressive thinking among Brokers and MLSs along the Southeastern Seaboard of America led to the creation of the Carolina Data Share or CDS.  This service paves the way for a member of any of the participating MLS to enjoy data from all of the participating MLS in the program.  The effect is the opportunity for agents and brokers to display listings from a much wider regional area that crosses multiple MLS boundries to create the most accurate and comprehensive search available in the region.  If you think that this is an emerging new trend, please leave a comment below – expecially if your MLS has a similar aggregation of IDX data across multiple MLSs available.

PRLog (Press Release) Nov 03, 2009 Cary, N.C. North Carolinas six largest multiple listing service (MLS) organizations from the mountains to the coast, including Asheville, the Charlotte region, the Triad, the Triangle, Wilmington and Brunswick County, have launched a program to share active real-estate listing information for display on brokerage Web sites. The program is called Carolina Data Share (CDS).

CDS aggregates MLS active listing information.  Any real estate broker who participates in any one of the six MLSs can display listing data from all six MLSs on his or her personal Web site.  The program provides the database of information but brokers choose whether to display it.

CDS has the most comprehensive selection of active real-estate listing information available in the state.  Buyers benefit because they will have access to more listings and listing information.  Sellers benefit, too.  Unless a broker or seller opts out of the program, his or her listings can appear on the Web sites of thousands of brokers and agents.

CDS gives brokers the ability to compete against Web sites of national aggregators, which claim to be comprehensive sources of listing information.

CDS has selected WolfNet Technologies to standardize and host its data. Joel MacIntosh, WolfNets CEO, says, “We applaud the CDS member MLSs for their insight, innovation, and cooperative spirit in making this project a reality for their members.”

All other MLSs in the Carolinas are invited to take part in CDS as well.  The MLSs actively involved in the CDS project are: Brunswick County Association of Realtors® (Brunswick, Bladen and Columbus counties); Carolina Multiple Listing Services, Inc.  (Charlotte-metropolitan area); North Carolina Mountains MLS (Asheville, Brevard, Hendersonville and Waynesville metropolitan areas); Triad MLS, Inc. (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point metropolitan areas); Triangle MLS, Inc. (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill metropolitan areas); and Wilmington Association of Realtors® (Wilmington area).

For information and questions, please contact one of the following:

•   Asheville, Brevard, Hendersonville and Waynesville metropolitan areas
Doug Kenny, executive director, North Carolina Mountains MLS,
828-606-8131

•   Brunswick County Association of Realtors®
Cynthia Hansen, director of MLS and member services, 910-754-5700

•   Charlotte metropolitan area
Anne Marie Howard, Esq., chief executive officer, Carolina Multiple Listing Services, Inc., 704-940-3167

•   Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point metropolitan areas
Richard Renton, executive vice president, Triad MLS, 336-841-1337

•   Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill metropolitan areas
Ray Larcher, president, Triangle MLS, 919-654-5400

•   Wilmington Regional Association of Realtors®
Jerry Panz, chief executive officer, 910-762-7400