Field Guide to Real Estate Transaction Standards
(Updated November 2009)
RETS: Short for Real Estate Transaction Standard, RETS provides a common language so that computers can more easily transfer real estate information, such as MLS data, to other computer programs or Web sites. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and other industry groups launched RETS in 1999. (S. Hogan, Information Specialist)
Source: The List Issue 2007 - Technology, (REALTOR® Magazine, Mar. 2007).
CRT RETS Applications:
ezRETS - allows ODBC-aware applications (Microsoft Office Excel, Word) to easily download data from RETS-compliant server.
VieleRETS - download and store listing information from MLS in a variety of formats.
libRETS - client library written in C++, allowing rapid development of RETS client applications.
What is RETS?
What is RETS?, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® - Center for REALTOR® Technology).
For brokers: data standards; The RETS stuff, (REALTOR® Magazine, Feb. 2004).
Why RETS?
REALTORS® envision the future of real estate in real time, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, May 16, 2008).
Getting your listings out there, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, Center for REALTOR® Technology Weblog, May 5, 2008).
NAR and industry partners agree on syndication standard for distributing real estate listings, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, Apr. 11, 2008).
e-Transaction management, (REALTOR® Magazine, Apr. 2004).
RETS milestones
RETS for Drupal!, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, Center for REALTOR® Technology Weblog, Jun. 30, 2009).
Real estate standards group meets with results, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, Apr. 10, 2008).
RETS renewed, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, Center for REALTOR® Technology Weblog, Jan. 11, 2007).
New tech standard offers broader access to MLS, (REALTOR® Magazine, May 2006).
Websites
RETS website - Provides information to developers and association users of RETS-compliant products: on-line forum and meeting announcements, standards documents, links to Word and PDF versions of standards documents. Software developers will find additional resources, including running demonstrations, in the Resources section.
RETS wiki - Cooperative resource for the RETS community to share knowledge, projects and concepts related to the progression of the RETS Standard.
Center for REALTOR® Technology, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®) - The Center for REALTOR® Technology (CRT) serves REALTORS® and REALTOR® associations as an industry advocate, implementation consultant and technology information resource.
eBooks & Other Resources
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Realtor Technology Report 2009, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, Center for REALTOR® Technology, 2009).
2008 MLS Technology Survey, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, Center for REALTOR® Technology, 2008).
Internet Listing Display Debate: Defending Consumer and Broker Choice, (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® ).
RELAY Transaction Management, REALTOR® Benefits program
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Electronic Signatures
>> Have an idea for a new Field Guide? Click here to send us your suggestions!
The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
E-mail 
