Key Facts
- Membership Size: Columbus MLS boasts a membership size of thousands within more than 700 cooperating real estate offices.
- Major Counties and Cities Covered:
- Franklin County: Includes Columbus- the capital city of Ohio and the largest city in the MLS’s coverage area.
- Delaware County: Known for its rapidly growing residential communities and affluent suburbs such as Powell and Dublin.
- Fairfield County: Offering a mix of suburban and rural living environments, cities like Lancaster and Pickerington are notable areas served by Columbus MLS. Additionally, Columbus MLS also serves some nearby areas of these counties.
- Historical Mergers: Like many MLS organizations, Columbus MLS may have undergone mergers and consolidations to expand its service area and streamline operations. These mergers typically involve smaller, regional MLS systems and real estate associations coming together under the larger Columbus MLS umbrella. The idea is to provide comprehensive service and a larger listing database for members. Specific details about historical mergers can vary and might require direct confirmation from the MLS for accuracy.
- Associations Served:
- Columbus REALTORS®: This is the primary real estate association linked with the Columbus MLS, providing services, advocacy, and education to its members.
- Ohio REALTORS®: While not served exclusively by the Columbus MLS, members of the statewide association benefit from the data and services provided by regional MLSs like Columbus MLS.
- Additional local real estate associations in the covered counties may collaborate with or utilize the Columbus MLS for their listing services.
Integrating Columbus MLS IDX data
Building IDX websites for Columbus MLS can be really easy or extremely difficult depending (1) how you choose to access the data and (2) whether or not you choose to work with an approved vendor.
Before we jump into the details, let’s start with the basics:
What is an IDX feed?
An IDX feed, also called Internet Data Exchange, is a set of technology tools that allows agents and brokers to display latest property listings on their websites by fetching it from the local Multiple Listing Service or MLS.
The purpose of an IDX feed is to populate the agent’s website with the latest properties to attract potential buyers and sellers directly on their website and stop them from going to Zillow, Trulia or Redfin. IDX websites are SEO optimized builds your brand name by attracting high value organic traffic and generating leads at the same time.
Why do I need an IDX feed for Columbus MLS?
If you want to create your online presence using your website, an IDX feed for Columbus MLS is going to be your business’s bloodline. It will help you improve your online experience for clients and prospects, demonstrate your local expertise, generate leads and overall boost your competitive edge in the local market. Moreover, access to IDX feed for Columbus MLS is a must if you wish to display active or sold listings from Columbus MLS on your website.
How do I get Columbus MLS listings on my website?
There are two ways to integrate Columbus MLS IDX data with your website:
(1) Get a direct IDX feed from the MLS.Getting a direct IDX feed from the MLS needs filing some paperwork. The MLS requires you to understand and sign their policies on sharing and using MLS data. However, what’s most challenging with direct IDX feeds is the responsibility of downloading, maintaining and managing the data yourself which can cost you up to $2000/month. Do not forget the one-time set up fee and month on month payment to access the MLS data feed.
(2) Work with an approved IDX vendor. The second way is to go for vendors like Web4Realty who have direct access to Columbus MLS IDX to provide correct IDX data to approved members of Columbus MLS IDX. Working with Web4Realty will not only save you money but also prevents you from the mess of compliance issues, data vendor migrations, hosting fees, or uptime. Some providers, such as Web4Realty, even offer plugins for popular website platforms such as WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and GoDaddy, allowing you to launch your website in minutes.
Columbus MLS Background
The Columbus and Central Ohio Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. (MLS) is a computer-based network of more than 700 cooperating real estate agencies. Columbus REALTORS® own 100% of the MLS with thousands of professional real estate brokers and sales associates collaborating using the service to benefit the purchasing and selling public by sharing listing and sale data. Since 1955, the MLS has effectively helped Columbus residents sell their houses.
What are the top cities served by Columbus MLS?
The Columbus MLS covers several cities including Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Grove City, Hilliard, Reynoldsburg, Delaware, Lancaster, Newark, Upper Arlington, Gahanna, Powell, Pickerington, Worthington, New Albany, Marysville, Circleville, London, Sunbury, and Canal Winchester.
What are the top counties served by Columbus MLS?
The Columbus MLS covers several counties, including Franklin County, Delaware County, Licking County, Fairfield County, Pickaway County, Madison County, Union County, Morrow County, Knox County, Marion County, Hocking County, Perry County, Ross County, Fayette County, and Muskingum County.
Which associations are part of Columbus MLS?
Certainly! The Columbus MLS covers a variety of real estate associations and boards including the Columbus Realtors, Delaware County Board of Realtors, Fayette County Board of Realtors, Franklin County Board of Realtors, Licking County Board of Realtors, Madison County Area Realty Association, Marion Board of Realtors, Morrow County Board of Realtors, Pickaway County Realty Association, Union County Board of Realtors, Knox County Board of Realtors, Logan County Board of Realtors, Champaign County Board of Realtors, Fairfield County Board of Realtors, Hocking County Board of Realtors, Perry County Board of Realtors, and the Ross County Board of Realtors.
