How to use WIREX The interface for using WIREX is similar to using FlexMLS. To access WIREX, simply log on to FlexMLS with your existing username and password. Under Search in the menu tree, click on Full Search. This will take you to the beginning screen to start a Full Search. When you log into FlexMLS, you will have the choice of viewing Metro MLS listings, that you currently use; or you can select WIREX, which will allow you to view listings from Central, South Central, Northeast, Northwestern, Western, Marinette, Superior, and Door MLSs. OR, you can select both areas and view the combined listings of all of the MLSs. Select your desired property type you would like to search and status. To search WIREX listings, select the WIREX option under the Please choose one or more MLSs field. The Main tab label will indicate you are searching in WIREX. At this point, you may enter the search parameters you would like to include in your property search. Matches count will automatically update as search criteria is selected.
NOTE: The Two Family property type is searchable within the Multi Family property type and Business Opportunity is searchable within Commercial. On the Search Results screen, located to the lower right of the Main List photo thumbnail, you will see an indicator specifying the listing as a WIREX listing. From this point, the functionality using FlexMLS and WIREX listings is the same; you may perform tasks such as a CMA, print data sheets, get route information, and e-mail listings. Be aware that there are some differences in the tabs and search details included for each property type between FlexMLS and WIREX. In WIREX, search parameters include all fields common to the participating MLSs.
Access Points for WIREX in FlexMLS There are several places in FlexMLS where you can access WIREX listings. The following lists where and how you can access WIREX listings. WIREX Access via Full Search Clicking Full Search under the Search menu allows you to search WIREX using the property type and status. WIREX Access via Quick Search To search WIREX listings using a Quick Search, Click Quick Search in the Search menu; select your desired quick search template and click the Use button.
You will be routed to the Quick Search screen for that property type. At this point, you can click the link to the right of MLS and select WIREX in the MLS search box. WIREX Access via Map Search To search WIREX listings using a Map Search, click on Map Search under the Search menu. Select your desired search template, and then click Use. This will route you to the Map Search screen. From here, you can select WIREX from the MLS search box and use the map to define your desired geographical area to search.
WIREX Access via search by Address To search WIREX listings using an Address search, click Address under the Search menu. When entering the search information in the available fields, select WIREX in the MLS search box. WIREX Access via search by Multiple Address To search WIREX listings using a Multiple Address search, click Multiple Address under the Search menu. When entering the search information in the available fields, select WIREX in the MLS search box.
WIREX Access via search by MLS Number To search WIREX listings using a MLS Number search, click MLS Number under the Search menu. When entering the search information in the available fields, select WIREX in the MLS search box.
WIREX Questions and Answers 1) Question: What is WIREX? 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. 2) Question: Who s in WIREX now? The development of WIREX involves the content exchange between the Multiple Listing Service, Inc. (Milwaukee), the REALTORS Association of Central Wisconsin MLS, Northwestern Wisconsin MLS, Western Wisconsin MLS, Marinette MLS, Superior MLS, Door County MLS, Northeast Wisconsin MLS, Inc. and the South Central Wisconsin MLS Corporations. Through their ongoing efforts, a Data Sharing Agreement and Common IDX Rules have been created and approved by the organizations. In addition, an agreement with a business partner has been reached for the development and hosting of the common database. 3) Question: Can I run data sheets on WIREX listings? Will they look different from the FlexMLS data sheets? Yes, you can run data sheets on WIREX listings. The data sheets that are available are the 1 Line Report, Brief Report, Full Report, and Full Report Addl Photos. The default report for WIREX listings will be the Full Report. 4) Question: Can I use a Legacy report for WIREX listings? No. If any of the Legacy reports are used on a WIREX listing, you will get a blank report. Legacy reports will be removed from FlexMLS in the near future to prevent any issues. Verify your General Preferences that a Legacy report is not saved as your default report. 5) Question: Can I create a flyer or promotional report on WIREX listings? No; the only reports available for WIREX listings are the 1 Line Report, Brief Report, Full Report, and Full Report Addl Photos.
6) Question: Can I perform CMAs? Will I get the same info? Yes. Data that is shared between WIREX and Metro MLS can be used to create a CMA. For example, Total Rooms field is not a shared field and would not be available for a combined CMA. 7) Question: Can I use a Wirex listing for subject property in my CMAs? Yes. WIREX listings can be used for CMAs the same as Metro MLS listings. It will update the Field Name template for WIREX data. 8) Question: Can I save searches using WIREX listings? Yes. Searches for WIREX listings can be saved in the same fashion as Metro MLS listings. 9) Question: Can I e-mail WIREX listings? Yes. You can e-mail WIREX listings in the same fashion as Metro MLS listings. 10) Question How did this all start? WIREX is the result of an invitation made by the South Central Wisconsin MLS to MLS, Inc and the RANW MLS (Northeast) to engage in a discussion to explore the possibility of sharing data. These, along with Metro MLS, 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 businesses. 11) Question: Who is the business partner? 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.
12) Question: Do all MLSs have to be involved? 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. 13) Question: What data is involved? The data content from each MLS will include all descriptive data fields for current active listings and for offmarket 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. 14) Question: Is cooperation and compensation a part of WIREX? 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. 15) Question: Is this a state-wide MLS? Does this mean that my MLS will have to go away? 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. 16) Question: Will I have to maintain multiple memberships in different MLS s? 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.
17) Question: Will my costs increase? How much? 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. 18) Question: Will I have to learn a new software program? 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. 19) Question: Does my MLS have to provide data to WIREX in order for agents in my MLS to have access? Yes