NTREIS RETS Executive Summary
The Real Estate Transactions Standard, RETS, is the method chosen by NTREIS to allow downloads of MLS Data to approved parties. While RETS is designed to provide a degree of commonality across different MLS Platforms, RETS also allows users to customize a data download to meet their specific needs.
General information about RETS is available at http://www.reso.org
Information specific to NTREIS RETS is available at:
http://www.ntreis.net/technical/rets.asp
The information below is a very short summary of the information available to all RETS users in the NTREIS RETS documentation available at http://www.ntreis.net/technical/rets.asp
All access to RETS requires a RETS login and password issued by NTREIS. To receive your RETS credentials, contact rets@ntreis.net requesting the required forms and documents.
To ensure the experience is optimal for all users, NTREIS requests all RETS users refrain from running large downloads between 8 am and 6 pm on Monday through Friday. During these hours, please run incremental-type searches. Large or full downloads can be run after 6 pm and before 8 am.
http://www.rets.org/files/retsproto1.5e2.pdf
http://www.ntreis.net/technical/rets.asp.
NTREIS is running RETS 1.5 servers.
The URL’s for the RETS Servers are:
Production RETS Server: http://ntreisrets.mls.ntreis.net/rets/login
Transition RETS Server: http://ntreisretsstage1.mls.ntreis.net/rets/login
This section in the NTREIS RETS documentation contains a list of the options from the Real Estate Transaction Specification, Version 1.5 and if they are implemented in the NTREIS RETS Server.
A RETS Client or script is required to access data from the RETS Server. There are several sources for RETS Client, including the free MarketLinx RETS client, RETS Connector. RETS Connector only works in Windows operating systems.
There are several ways to view the RETS Metadata. One method is by using your RETS Login and Password and pasting these links into your browser:
http://ntreisrets.mls.ntreis.net/rets/login
http://ntreisrets.mls.ntreis.net/rets/links - displays a page of very useful information about the metadata, classes, and examples.
http://ntreisrets.mls.ntreis.net/rets/logout - to logout from RETS
The RETS Metadata is based on these resources and classes:
|
Resource |
Class |
|
AGENT |
AGENT |
|
OFFICE |
OFFICE |
|
MEDIA |
MEDIA |
|
PROPERTY |
RES |
|
PROPERTY |
MUL |
|
PROPERTY |
LND |
|
PROPERTY |
COM |
|
PROPERTY |
LSE |
|
REMOVED |
REMOVED |
RETS accesses the media servers on the NTREIS MLS System. Media and Listings added to the MLS system are immediately available to RETS users.
Every listing has a MLS Number and UID in the Property Class. The UID in each Property Class links to the TableUID in the Media class. In addition, there is a UID in the Media class.
· The MEDIA UID does not link to the UID in the Property Classes.
· The TABLEUID in the MEDIA Class links to the UID in each Property Class.
A field in RETS has 5 different names.
|
LongName |
This is the most user friendly name. |
|
ShortName |
These names can be somewhat cryptic. |
|
StandardName |
Many fields lack a standard name. |
|
SystemName |
These names very closely tie into the actual schema name on the MLS Tables. |
|
DBName |
Even more cryptic than the ShortName. |
It is your choice as to the name you choose to use in RETS, but you will find the long name or system name is the easiest to work with.
Many fields in NTREIS MLS are driven by list boxes. The “Kitchen Equipment” referenced in the above table is one example. Others include Status, Area, etc., and also include simple ‘Null/Yes/No’ fields, such as ‘Furnished’ in the LSE class.
A full list of all the RETS Look Ups are available on the RETS Server at:
http:// ntreisrets.mls.ntreis.net/rets/Getmetadata?type=metadata-lookup&id=Property&format=Compact
and
http:// ntreisrets.mls.ntreis.net/rets/Getmetadata?type=metadata-lookup_type&id=property&format=Compact
NTREIS provides two basic data profiles:
IDX – used for Internet websites
NonIDX – used by brokers for back office applications.
Section 17 of the NTREIS Rules and Regulations (http://www.ntreis.net/documents/MLSOnSite_1532007123651.pdf) specifies that an IDX data feed should only contain data on the Customer Full Report that is Active Status. Any listing that is no longer active (i.e. your website can display only the statues of ACT, OPT, CON, and KO) should be removed from your website.
NTREIS RETS has a default download limit of 400 records. The RETS 1.5 Specification describes how to set your own download limit.
See this section in the NTREIS RETS documentation for help troubleshooting the most common RETS issues reported to NTREIS.
See this section in the NTREIS RETS documentation to view the most commonly asked questions and their answers.
Updated: 2/14/2013