IDX – Internet Data Exchange
An Internet Data Exchange (IDX) is a real estate property search site which allows the public to conduct searches of approved Multiple Listing Service properties in a certain area. The key words here are Multiple Listing Service. Your searches here on Spake.com (and to be fair, searches on any local real estate company sites) are via IDX which is pure data, directly from the local MLS. It is the most up to date and accurate information. The data is input directly into the MLS by listing agents, and the MLS is automatically updated regularly throughout the day.
On the other hand, data provided to the many national real estate search, most notably Zillow and Trulia, is via a process called syndication. Individual brokers have the option of syndicating their listings to the national portals or withholding listings. In simple terms, an aggregator receives information from the local MLS and passes it along to the national real estate portals. The portals format the data to fit their needs. While the national portals provide a useful service for consumers, this process does not lend itself to the consumer getting the most complete or real time data.
The national sites do provide a large amount of real estate information about neighborhoods, sales data, mortgage and other real estate related business. I don’t discourage consumers from using them, but the local company or agent will have the most up to date data and local knowledge.