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Real Estate IDX Agreement

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REAL ESTATE IDX AGREEMENT

This Real Estate IDX Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into by and between the parties identified below as of the Effective Date set forth herein. The parties agree as follows.

Parties and Identification

MLS and Property Data

MLS System Name:    Coverage Area / MLS ID:

Grant of License; Use Restrictions

Broker grants Subscriber a non-exclusive, revocable license to receive and display IDX data supplied by Broker or the MLS solely for use on Subscriber-owned or controlled Internet web pages for the purpose of real estate brokerage activities consistent with MLS rules and this Agreement. Subscriber shall not sublicense, resell, redistribute, or otherwise make IDX data available to third parties except as expressly permitted in writing by Broker.

Subscriber shall comply with all display rules required by Broker and the MLS, including mandatory attribution, copyright notices, and links to listing brokers where required. Subscriber shall not alter listing content, remove metadata, modify photographs, or omit listing broker identification.

Data Access, Security and Technical Specifications

Subscriber shall access IDX data via the authorized feed and protocols designated by Broker. Subscriber is responsible for maintaining technical controls, authentication, and reasonable administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to prevent unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of IDX data. Broker may suspend access immediately upon reasonable belief of misuse or a security breach.

RETS / API feed    RSS / XML feed    CSV / Data Export    Other:

Term, Fees and Billing

Effective Date:    Term Start:    Term End:

Payment Terms: Subscriber shall pay invoices within days of invoice. Late payments accrue interest at per month or the maximum permitted by law.

Termination; Suspension; Remedies

Either party may terminate this Agreement upon material breach that remains uncured for thirty (30) days after written notice. Broker may suspend Subscriber's access immediately if Subscriber's use materially violates MLS rules, this Agreement, or applicable law. Upon termination or suspension, Subscriber shall immediately cease display of IDX data and shall certify deletion of stored IDX content within three (3) business days.

Ownership, Confidentiality and Records

All IDX data provided pursuant to this Agreement is the property of Broker and the listing brokers. Subscriber acknowledges that listing content, photographs, and metadata are proprietary and protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. Subscriber shall maintain confidentiality of non-public data and will not use data except as expressly permitted herein.

Broker may audit Subscriber's compliance with this Agreement upon reasonable notice. Subscriber agrees to provide access to relevant systems, logs, and records necessary to verify compliance.

Representations; Indemnity; Liability

Each party represents that it has authority to enter this Agreement and that performance will comply with applicable laws. Subscriber shall indemnify and hold harmless Broker, MLS, and listing brokers from claims arising out of Subscriber's use, distribution, or display of IDX data in violation of this Agreement or applicable law. EXCEPT FOR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE, NEITHER PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

Compliance with MLS Rules

Subscriber acknowledges that MLS rules and policies govern use of IDX data. Subscriber shall at all times comply with MLS rules, and accepts that Broker may modify data access, display requirements, or technical specifications in order to ensure continued compliance with MLS policy.

Certification: Subscriber certifies that it will comply with the MLS rules and display requirements applicable to IDX data.

Notices

All notices required by this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth below by personal delivery, certified mail, or overnight courier. Notices are effective upon receipt.

Governing Law; Dispute Resolution; Miscellaneous

This Agreement shall be governed by the substantive laws of the State of without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Parties agree to attempt in good faith to resolve disputes through negotiation. If not resolved, disputes shall be resolved by the courts located in the county of the governing state unless the parties agree in writing to arbitration.

This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings with respect to IDX data access. Any amendment must be in writing and signed by both parties. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Acknowledgment

Each party acknowledges that it has read this Agreement, understands its terms, and agrees to be bound by them. The person signing on behalf of each party represents that they are authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of that party.

Broker Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Subscriber Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Real Estate IDX Agreement Covers

A Real Estate IDX Agreement is a written contract that governs the licensing and display of MLS listing data on a broker or agent website. It sets the scope of allowed uses, attribution and copyright requirements, update frequency, security and data-handling rules, termination and audit rights, and any MLS- or broker-specific display restrictions. The agreement typically identifies parties (broker, website operator), the feed type (IDX/RETS/RESO Web API), technical access credentials, and how consumer data and opt-outs are handled to comply with MLS policies and applicable state law.

Why this agreement matters for brokers and sites

The Real Estate IDX Agreement documents legal permission to publish MLS-sourced listings, reduces risk by clarifying display and data-usage rules, and protects MLS intellectual property and broker responsibilities under NAR and local MLS policies.

Why this agreement matters for brokers and sites

Who typically signs and enforces an IDX agreement

Parties should confirm signatory authority and contact points for data incidents before enabling live feeds.

  • Brokerages and MLS administrators — Agree to licensing terms, set display rules, and enforce compliance across member sites.
  • Website owners and agents — Accept data feed terms, implement required attribution, and maintain security and update schedules.
  • Technology vendors and platform integrators — Provide API keys, handle data transforms, and ensure timely feed refreshes.

Step-by-step: set up an IDX agreement and feed

Follow a clear sequence to obtain MLS permission, configure the feed, and verify live display without violating MLS rules.

  • 01
    Request Access: Contact the MLS or broker to request IDX licensing and required credentials.
  • 02
    Complete Agreement: Fill required fields, confirm signatory authority, and sign per contract instructions.
  • 03
    Provision Feed: Provide API keys or FTP credentials to your vendor and configure refresh schedules.
  • 04
    Verify Display: Check attribution, filtering rules, and timing; confirm MLS acceptance before public launch.

Essential clauses in a professional IDX agreement

A well-drafted IDX agreement balances MLS protections with publisher operational needs; include explicit, enforceable clauses to minimize disputes.

Grant of Rights

Defines permitted uses of MLS data, whether full listing display, limited search results, mapping, or lead capture functionality.

Attribution

Specifies how to display MLS, broker, and listing agent attribution, including appearance, placement, and required text.

Update & Accuracy

Sets the required refresh frequency, error correction processes, and responsibilities for stale or incorrect listing data.

Security & Access

Requires credential management, access controls, and notification procedures for suspected data breaches or credential compromise.

Termination & Suspension

Describes grounds for suspension, cure periods, and post-termination obligations such as takedown of IDX content.

Audit & Compliance

Reserves rights to audit use, review analytics, and require remediation for display or filtering violations.

Required information and technical identifiers

Broker ID: License or NMLS number
Website URL: Canonical domain for publication
API Key: Feed credential reference
Contact Email: Operational incident address
Data Scope: Fields and record types authorized
Refresh Interval: Polling or push schedule

Consequences of noncompliance or errors

Feed Suspension: Immediate access cut
Contract Termination: Loss of publishing rights
Fines or Sanctions: MLS or broker penalties
Copyright Claims: Potential infringement liability
Consumer Complaints: Reputational damage
Audit Remediation: Costly compliance fixes

Common preparation mistakes to avoid

  • Failing to include the broker license or correct legal name, which can prevent MLS provisioning and block feed activation.
  • Not implementing required attribution styling or placement, leading to MLS rule violations and potential removal of listings.
  • Using an incorrect refresh schedule that produces stale listings and consumer complaints, exposing the site to enforcement action.
  • Overlooking opt-out or privacy clauses for consumer data, creating regulatory or contractual exposure when collecting leads.

How an IDX feed typically flows

IDX implementation follows a standard technical and operational chain from MLS to consumer-facing site.

  • Data Export: MLS compiles authorized listing records for licensed parties.
  • Transport: Feed delivered via API, RETS, or FTP with credentials.
  • Integration: Website ingests and maps listing fields to display templates.
  • Display: Listings appear with required attribution and filtering rules.

Typical online workflow settings for IDX feeds

Use a documented configuration checklist to avoid missed settings during provisioning.

Field Configuration
Feed Type API (RESO Web API) | RETS | FTP
Authentication API key | OAuth | IP allowlist
Refresh Frequency Every 15–60 minutes
Error Handling Retry policies | Alerting

Technical and integration considerations

Verify vendor integrations (Salesforce, Microsoft 365, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Box, Procore) and confirm data-export formats ahead of go-live.

  • Integration APIs: Support for REST/RESO Web API
  • Storage Formats: JSON, XML, or CSV outputs
  • Third-party Integrations: CRM and analytics connectors

Typical timelines, notices, and processing expectations

Key dates and lead times help parties coordinate provisioning, testing, and public launch.

Activation Lead Time:

7–30 days for MLS approval and credential issuance

Testing Window:

3–14 days for integration and QA

Renewal Notice:

30–90 days before agreement expiry

Data Retention Review:

Annual audit or on-request review

Termination Notice:

Typically 30 days unless immediate breach

eSignature vendor comparison for signing IDX agreements

Select an eSignature provider that supports legal enforceability, audit trails, and the compliance features required by your organization.

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Frequently asked questions and practical answers

Answers focus on common execution, legal validity, and practical integration issues for IDX agreements and signing workflows.


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