As our anticipated launch date for the new Point2 IDX solution nears (anticipated arrival: mid-June), I have to say, we here at Point2 are pretty excited. IDX is something we’ve been wanting to add to our offering for a long time and we are thrilled that we’ve finally reached that goal.
In the meantime, I wanted to share with everyone a few key reasons why Point2 IDX should be the solution for you, and this should also help answer a lot of the questions we’ve been getting since we first mentioned IDX was coming.
Why choose Point2 IDX?
The top question we have received regarding Point2 IDX: ‘How much?’. I am pleased to tell you that Point2 IDX is competitively priced, starting at just $29.99 per month for agents and $59.99 per month for brokers! We’ve priced IDX well below many of the other IDX providers and it is very likely priced lower than what you are paying for your current IDX solution.
In addition, during our initial launch, Point2 IDX is being provided to all with no sign up fee (regularly $199 and to $499). I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a pretty sweet deal.
We are committed to providing an IDX solution that just won’t quit. With an industry-leading uptime commitment, you can feel assured that your IDX solution will be available to your prospective clients when they want and need it.
Point2 IDX includes an optional listings-mapping feature, called MapTracks. MapTracks is an awesome tool to enhance your IDX search with proven results. MapTracks generates on average 25% more leads than using only form-based searches.With MapTracks, your listings are mapped out and visitors can click on a listing shown for more details. Visitors can also use MapTracks to view other local amenities such as schools, parks, restaurants, etc. Give your website visitors the option of how they want to find listings with either a map-based search or a form-based search.
Don’t chance having potential clients fall through the cracks. Point2 IDX is completely integrated with your existing prospect management tools from Point2. Any prospect contact information is sent right into the prospect management area of your Point2 account and is clearly identified as coming from Point2 IDX. Having all your contacts managed from one place means you can effectively market to these ones without missing a beat.
When you sign-up for Point2 IDX, a page is automatically created on your website which includes your new IDX solution. You can even customize the colors of your IDX to match your Point2 Agent website. Additionally, you have the ability to retrieve a specific URL to use if you wish to frame in your Point2 IDX solution on other websites.
Point2 IDX also provides the ability to generate special code to add a mini home search widget to any of your websites and blogs.
We don’t require you to sign up for Point2 IDX for a specified length of time. Use Point2 IDX for as long as you like, and if you need to, for any reason at all, you can cancel at any time.
If you have any questions or concerns about your Point2 IDX solution, our Customer Care Team is fully-trained and ready to provide answers and assistance with anything you could possibly need.There you have it. Just a few quick reasons why you should use Point2 IDX. This is just a teaser of what Point2 IDX has to offer.
Don’t forget, you can still fill out our IDX Interest Form and we’ll contact you personally once IDX becomes available. Get your name on the list here: http://agent.point2.com/features/IDX.asp
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the only thing I really question is #4.. the P2 coordination into the site will be interesting, but I have always felt that the fact that P2 prospect management was middle of the road, and the losing factor for me, was the speed at which items were able to be accessed.
Please tell me that you guys are adding like 50,000 new servers to allow our current back office, and potentially new IDX solutions to run faster….?
I am a professional customer of point2 at this time. The $29.99 for IDX will be added to my monthly fee? Also, my association has IDX, which is provided as a service included with my annual fees. I have a developer customizing my website at this time, would this IDX solution from my association be compatible with point2? I don’t want to add an extra charge to my monthly fees if I can use the IDX solution that I now get for free.
Thanks for your time in replying
Ana
I hope we will be able to search specifics like a lake and add a page to the website with only that lake’s listngs. Wondering where the feed will come from for my mls? or are you providing some feed?
Same questions as Ana–Is the $29 Fee in addition to the monthly fee for current Point2 Standard Site membership? Am I able to use my no-cost IDX access provided by my association with this new feature and save on the cost of offering IDX on my Site?
will the mini home site wiget let me search specific (lake)and put that anywhere that would be sweet! In Michigan we are never more than 3 miles from some type of water! This feature would be wonderful
I am looking for an IDX import so we don’t ahve to manually enter listings.
I have heard that your IDX solution will use the Wolfnet IDX service. As a Keller Williams agent, I use this “free”, and pay only $10/month for the MapTracks feature. Since I’m already a Wolfnet user, will I be able to integrate my existing Wolfnet service with the Point2 features?
When will it be available in Houston? The prospect system is somewhat old, will you be evolving into a more robust CRM to handle leads?
How about adding a web app so people can use our own idx on their smart phones..not a phone app! 2 different things
i don’t consider #4 a good reason because p2agent prospect management is lousy and is the weakest link in the p2agent website. If I use the p2agent idx I will have to export the leads out to my crm.
So if my MLS signs up for syndication through P2 and I am a P2 Professional member, will I now be charged extra to access the IDX that, as of now, is offered at no extra charge? If so, that certainly changes the value proposition to both me and my MLS.
I currently offer an IDX solution to integrate into Point2 – the same IDX solution Point2 offers except that it does not integrate into the Point2 contact management system. As part of my setup fee I do all the work of integrating it into your site, creating Custom Searches such as listings for a city, subdivision, or meeting a criteria such as lake property.
I thought I would take a moment to answer a few IDX specific questions to help you.
1 Paul Cross says: I have heard that your IDX solution will use the Wolfnet IDX service. As a Keller Williams agent, I use this “free”, and pay only $10/month for the MapTracks feature. Since I’m already a Wolfnet user, will I be able to integrate my existing Wolfnet service with the Point2 features?
ANSWER: Yes, the IDX is Wolfnet’s MLSFinder product which is used by Keller Williams. You are currently paying to integrate it into the Keller Williams site. With regards to using it on your Point2 site, it is dependent on your MLS IDX rules, so call your MLS and ask to speak to someone in the IDX department and ask them if you can use your IDX solution on multiple websites YOU own. IF you have their permission, it can be integrated using the IDX LISTINGS content feature. ***CAUTION: Be sure to ask them about additional fees for using it on multiple sites. Some MLS services allow you to put it on multiple sites IF you pay them an additional fee which may be a yearly fee or a monthly fee. Best thing is to be safe and ask.
2 Mary says: I hope we will be able to search specifics like a lake and add a page to the website with only that lake’s listings. Wondering where the feed will come from for my mls? or are you providing some feed?
ANSWER: Specific criteria such as LAKE property or by watername depends upon whether or not the MLS sends that data. The best way to find out is to go to Keller Williams site and find an agent in your area and do a search on their website.
3 Diego Jaramillo says: When will it be available in Houston? The prospect system is somewhat old, will you be evolving into a more robust CRM to handle leads?
ANSWER: Houston is one of the few MLS services that will ONLY sign up Brokers and then the agents must use the Brokers IDX links on the agent’s websites.
Regarding the Lead/Prospect System, leads will feed into the Point2 system and can be managed through a control panel in Point2. CURRENTLY, through Wolfnet, you can add an option to integrate Wolfnet’s MLSFinder product with Top Producer if you want to use that for your CRM. While MLSFinder offers basic search of leads, you can add their Lead Management option which includes Lead Routing for teams and offices (there is an additional fee for Lead Management).
4 Brady Pevehouse says: Please tell me that you guys are adding like 50,000 new servers to allow our current back office, and potentially new IDX solutions to run faster….?
ANSWER: The data will reside on the Wolfnet servers and have no impact on the Point2 servers or performance. It is LINKED into the site by ADD CONTENT of the Content Type IDX Listings.
5 dave baird says: i don’t consider #4 a good reason because p2agent prospect management is lousy and is the weakest link in the p2agent website. If I use the p2agent idx I will have to export the leads out to my crm.
ANSWER: One great feature in Point2 is its Email Campaigns. While the IDX can Email Listings matching a client’s criteria, Point2 is great for putting them on a drip email campaign. Buyers often start looking 9 months or before prior to purchasing. The Point2 email component will help you stay in touch. We have used both MLSFinder and Point2 in my husband’s real estate office for years and have been amazed by people replying “ready to buy now” when we have never even made contact with them. In addition, it is great to use Wolfnet to set up your sellers on Wolfnet’s Search Saver emails which will email the sellers new listings matching their home so they can stay on top of their home price. We constantly had clients calling to lower their price because they could see their competition. The marriage of Point2 and Wolfnet’s MLSFinder product creates a great solution for attracting Buyers AND Sellers.
6 Mark Bergman says: So if my MLS signs up for syndication through P2 and I am a P2 Professional member, will I now be charged extra to access the IDX that, as of now, is offered at no extra charge? If so, that certainly changes the value proposition to both me and my MLS.
ANSWER: Mark, while I don’t know the exact answer to this, I can guess at it as I have dealt with this in various capacities for over 8 years. You asked: “will I now be charged extra to access the IDX that”. When you talk about the IDX, there are fees to the IDX vendor and also in most cases to the MLS. For instance, I live in Denver and we have to pay an extra $5 a month on our MLS bill to have the IDX. Vail in contrast charges a yearly fee. All depends upon your MLS. This fee will be applicable to ANY IDX solution you sign up with. Keep in mind that the MLS views IDX as a revenue source for. The MLS services charge companies like Wolfnet for the IDX data because they feel the data is being resold to clients wanting IDX solutions.
7 FINAL COMMENT:
While I can’t answer the questions like “how you will pay for the service”, when will it be available, or other Point2 “How will they do it” questions, I can tell you that I do have the service available today.
If you reference the POINT2 IDX blog, I will offer the service to agents $35 a month – basically for the cost of one Starbucks you can have your IDX solution today. My Setup fee is $150, but I do the integration into your site, putting in the following web links: Our Listings, Search Homes for Sale, Search Saver Login, “Your Town” Homes for Sale, and a Quick Search. See http://www.gregtimms.com as an example. This is a Point2 Standard site which we can create for a setup fee of $499 (vs $150).
For Brokers, it is $59 a month Again, my Setup fee is $150, but I do the integration into your site, putting in the following web links: Our Listings, Search Homes for Sale, Search Saver Login, “Your Town” Homes for Sale, and a Quick Search.
For pricing on Mapping and more customization, call 303-346-7283 or email marthadudley@gotidx.com I am a Point2 Alliance Member and information on my company is under the Community Menu, Approved Vendors Section.
As Point2 launches the Wolfnet service throughout their system, I will not be competing with their service, but augmenting it with services designed to integrate the IDX into your website, including Custom Websites for as little as $995. I have enjoyed working with Point2 for over 5 years and have found it to be the best solution overall, particularly when you look at the Virtual Tour Feature they offer and the ease with which you can modify a site.
If I can answer any questions, feel free to email me at marthadudley@gotidx.com or call me at 303-346-7283.
Check out my website at http://www.gotidx.com
(NOTE: This is a Point2 standard site)
What will the difference be from the free IDX site I get from my association and this one?
another $30 per month…
no thanks!
What is the difference between what I have now & the IDX? If you have paid for a year already then this is new so should I expect extra cost?
Will there be additional fees for the MapTracks?
As many have mentioned above, an IDX is provided at no additional charge from my association. Why should I pay an extra $30/month for your IDX?? In this current market, many cannot afford an extra $30 on top of everything else if we can get through another source for free.
Where can I find the answers to the above questions?
Thanks for all the comments and feedback! I realize there’s bound to be a few questions when something new is announced, so I’ll do my best to answer all your specific questions.
@Brady – Point2 IDX is provided through WolfNet and therefore any additional load on our servers in this regard is not an issue. Regardless, we are always focused on ensuring performance, speed, and reliability for our members, and that will still be our focus.
@Ana, @Guillermo, & @Mark – Existing IDX solutions will not be able to be fully integrated with your Point2 site. However, there is no obligation to use Point2 IDX and you are welcome to continue using the IDX you have supplied to you by your MLS. The cost for Point2 IDX is seperate from your monthly or yearly Point2 Agent website membership fee. Remember, this is an optional add-on service.
@Mary – The feed is provided directly from your MLS. As for a ‘lake’ option, MapTracks has a section called ‘Body of Water’ which lists off all types of lakes, ponds, rivers, etc. If your MLS provides that information in their IDX feed, then it should be included in your Point2 IDX with MapTracks.
@Lori – Are you looking to import your listings from your MLS to display on your Point2 Agent site? If so, you can use Point2 IDX. Additionally, for listing syndication purposes you may want to speak to your MLS about integrating the entire MLS directly with Point2. You can send your MLS to http://www.listingsyndication.com for more information.
@Paul – You’re right, Point2 IDX is being provided through WolfNet. At this time we are unable to integrate the Keller Williams IDX solution (or any other existing WolfNet IDX solutions) directly into your Point2 Agent site but it is something we are considering. Feel free to continue to use your Keller Williams IDX solution rather than Point2 IDX.
@Diego – You can find a full list of MLS’s currently available to use Point2 IDX here: http://www.mlsfinder.com/.
@James & @David– It’s hard for me to answer that question since I don’t know which IDX solution you are currently using. However, you can likely find all the information you need to compare your solution to the Point2 IDX solution by taking a look at the resources we’ve got listed here: http://idx.point2agenteducation.com.
@Paula – The pricing for Point2 IDX including MapTracks is $59.98 for agents and $109.98 for brokers.
I want to stress that Point2 IDX is a completely optional add-on service that Point2 is providing as an easy way to manage everything in one place. We feel we’ve been able to price Point2 IDX competitively for those who are currently paying for an IDX solution that is likely much more costly. We realize that Point2 IDX will not be for everyone, and that’s why we’ve made it optional.
Point2 strives to continue to improve and evolve our existing solutions, including prospect management tools. Updating our prospect management features is definitely on the radar.
Our Education Team has compiled a list of resources and FAQ’s that can shed more light on Point2 IDX here: http://idx.point2agenteducation.com.
Hello again! This is Martha with GotIDX.com. I just thought I would take a few moments to answer a few of the new questions.
1. Rick Tourgee and James McPeak asked:
…an IDX is provided at no additional charge from my association. Why should I pay an extra $30/month for your IDX?? In this current market, many cannot afford an extra $30 on top of everything else if we can get through another source for free.
ANSWER: LEADS!!! Quite a few of the associations are offering a free IDX, but there is no lead capture and basically minimal configuration to make yourself stand out. With the Point2 IDX you can have the leads EMAILED to you, including to your cell phone. Even better, you can have it emailed to up to 3 email addresses. In our case we had it go to the Buyer agent on call (changing it each week) and to our admin staff. PLUS, we logged in periodically and saw who was Saving Searches and who was Saving Favorites. We then reviewed their information and used it to make a “courtesy support” call to help them set up or refine their search – the key here is to: A) have their contact info; B) have something to start up a conversation in a nonthreatening and more helpful way.
In addition, depending upon what your MLS offers in their data feed, your website can be the one place to go and get references through word of mouth. In many cases you can set up special searches such as the following examples: A) Homes with Views; B) Waterfront property; C) Homes with Pools; D) Luxury Homes; E) Homes in ABC Subdivision; F) Homes in ABC School District; G) Homes in ABC Adult Living Over 55 Community; H) Homes near ABC Golf Course; I) Homes in ABC County; J) Homes built since 2005; K) Homes in zip code 12345; L) Condo; M) Lots and Land … and more options are available.
The key here is not just the special searches you can set up, but also the lead capture. A fair number of associations have signed up with Diverse Solutions for a free IDX as part of your dues. BUT, for the lead capture you must pay an additional fee which is way more than the $29.99 Point2 is charging. Bottomline, if you are serious about getting buyer leads, you really need this.
2 David Bittrich asked:
What is the difference between what I have now & the IDX? If you have paid for a year already then this is new so should I expect extra cost?
ANSWER:
With Point2, you can display listings via a handshake process. However, these are only listings that are entered into other Point2 sites within your area and falls way short of what is in the MLS. With IDX, you are getting to display MLS listings of all MLS agents that have opted in to have their listings part of the IDX program for the MLS. Putting numbers to this, you might have 300 Point2 listings in an area where there would be 4,200 MLS IDX Listings.
The key is Buyers want to go to websites that give them the information they need as easily as possible. Sellers want to go were the Buyers are. I have tried many IDX solutions in my husband’s office and other real estate offices I have dealt with and when it comes to leads, the Wolfnet product Point2 has selected for its IDX is the BEST for getting leads. More important, they have been the most accurate on their data which has resulted in virtually no complaints from sellers – no calls about “my photos are missing”. AND if there is a problem – which is often a problem on the MLS side – Wolfnet has been excellent at getting the problem solved. You will still turn to Point2 for support, but the key is Wolfnet has a great sense of pride in their product and works hard to maintain accuracy.
As for what you can expect to see for the additional cost, see question #1’s answer.
3 Paulia Kennedy asked:
Will there be additional fees for the MapTracks?
ANSWER: There will be an additional fee for the MapTracks. Point2 will need to answer the specifics on this. However, from a business sense, I did want to state that it is well worth it. You can drill down to the street level to find a home. Statistics have shown that if someone starts searching for a home in a town such as Denver, they are often 9 months out as a lead and will drift to multiple sites before scheduling a showing. If however they are looking for a home in a specific neighborhood – and even on specific streets – they LOVE the maps and are within 60 days of purchasing because they have narrowed their search down to its final stages before purchasing. Sits I have set up with Maps do get more leads. (NOTE: Maps are not available in all areas. This is an issue with the data sent by the MLS, not an issue on Wolfnet’s part.)
[...] is coming! Learn more about how having IDX through Point2 can increase your leads. Posted: Thursday, June 03, 2010 10:44 AM by Tanya Spilchak Filed under: [...]
Thanks so much for all your help and insight Martha!
Megan,
Glad to help. I have seen the difference IDX – and in particular the Wolfnet IDX – can make in real estate sales which is why I have chosen this as my business. The IDX capabilities have grown significantly in the last few years adapting to the agents needs with options like displaying Foreclosures and Short Sales to attract Buyers. While my background is IT, I have my license and have worked in the field and know first hand the impact this can have on getting listings. I have seen agents go from 0 Buyer deals to 4+ Buyer deals a month with the IDX. Bottomline, to me, it is the heart of the website and I am glad you have added it as a service.