--- title: "MLS API Access for Your Own Agent Website" description: "Request MLS API access with a clear website use, broker approval, named developer, and secure credential handoff. Test buyer and seller inquiry delivery." canonical: "https://scalewithsearch.com/articles/mls-api-access-for-owned-agent-website" --- ## Site navigation - [Scale With Search](https://scalewithsearch.com/) - Services - Services - [AI systems](https://scalewithsearch.com/ai-systems) - [Site build](https://scalewithsearch.com/work#site-build) - [Whole website fix](https://scalewithsearch.com/work#whole-website-fix) - [Content library with SEO](https://scalewithsearch.com/work#content-library) - [Working session](https://scalewithsearch.com/audit) - Start here - [Send your brief](https://scalewithsearch.com/work#send-your-brief) - [Example scope](https://scalewithsearch.com/work#review-the-example-scope) - [Prices and terms](https://scalewithsearch.com/work#prices-and-terms) - Industries - Real estate - [Real estate agents and teams](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/real-estate) - [Platforms, ownership, and IDX](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/real-estate/real-estate-website-platforms-ownership-idx) - [Search, content, and AI](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/real-estate/real-estate-search-content-ai) - [Inquiries, campaigns, and handoffs](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/real-estate/real-estate-website-inquiries-campaigns-handoffs) - [Buyer, seller, and local pages](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/real-estate/real-estate-buyer-seller-local-resources) - [Rules, privacy, and trust](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/real-estate/real-estate-website-rules-privacy-trust) - Browse by business - [Trades and home services](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/#group-trades) - [Health, wellness, and animal care](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/#group-practices) - [Law, finance, and IT](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/#group-professional) - [Marketing and SEO agencies](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/#group-agencies) - [Shops and manufacturers](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/#group-manufacturing) - [Restaurants, shops, studios, and nonprofits](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/#group-local-services) - Chiropractic practices - [Chiropractic and wellness practices](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/chiropractic-and-wellness-practices) - [Chiropractic and physical therapy clinics](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/chiropractic-and-physical-therapy-clinics) - [All industries](https://scalewithsearch.com/for/) - Resources - Free tools - [AI readiness check](https://scalewithsearch.com/check) - [Free tools](https://scalewithsearch.com/tools/) - [Free Starter Kit](https://scalewithsearch.com/kit/business-memory-starter-kit.zip) - Guides - [AI-native library](https://scalewithsearch.com/ai-native) - [Industry intelligence](https://scalewithsearch.com/intelligence) - [Office job guides](https://scalewithsearch.com/guides/) - [Business memory](https://scalewithsearch.com/articles/business-memory-for-ai-agents-guide) - [Agent governance](https://scalewithsearch.com/articles/ai-agent-governance-guide-small-business) - [Migration and ownership](https://scalewithsearch.com/articles/leaving-vendor-ai-memory-guide) - Articles - [All articles](https://scalewithsearch.com/articles/) - [What changed](https://scalewithsearch.com/changes/) - About - Evidence - [Proof](https://scalewithsearch.com/proof) - Scale With Search - [About](https://scalewithsearch.com/about) - [How it works](https://scalewithsearch.com/how-it-works) # MLS API access: how to request it for your own agent website Request MLS API access through your local multiple listing service, or MLS. Agree to its data-use and licensing policies first. Its software provider or technical staff then supplies credentials and connection instructions. RESO sets standards; it does not supply the listings. [RESO access guidance, checked 2026.10.13](https://www.reso.org/reso-web-api/). Start your request with the website domain, brokerage, intended use, and developer responsible for the connection. Ask the MLS to identify the application and required approvals. Rules differ by MLS. Confirm your proposed use with your MLS and broker before commissioning the display. [RESO licensing guidance, checked 2026.10.13](https://www.reso.org/reso-web-api/). The steps below are recommendations for preparing that request. Use them to agree who controls access and how a visitor's question reaches you. ## Decide whether you need developer access An application programming interface, or API, lets software request data from another system. Authentication identifies the requester; authorization determines the data that requester can access. [RESO's API definitions, checked 2026.10.13](https://www.reso.org/reso-web-api/). Before requesting developer credentials, ask your website provider how your existing listing search works. Identify the company holding the feed agreement. Ask whether the proposed website can use that approved service. Have the provider explain any need for a new application. Choose the route around the website task. You might want a buyer to search, open a property, and ask you about it. You might need a seller to describe a property through a separate contact form. Write those requirements before choosing a data connection. Do not make a custom API connection the default requirement. Ask who will build it, maintain it, and support it after handover. Compare that responsibility with using an existing service approved for your website. ## Identify the access route your MLS supports Zillow Group's MLS Listings page describes Bridge Listing Output access at each MLS partner's discretion. It labels the platform invite-only and directs readers to request availability. That page establishes a provider-specific starting point, rather than approval for your domain. [Zillow Group MLS Listings, checked 2026.10.13](https://www.zillowgroup.com/developers/api/mls-broker-data/mls-listings/). Bridge's own developer page describes requesting MLS data through its dashboard. It also tells developers to begin with their local MLS. [Bridge API access instructions, checked 2026.10.13](https://www.bridgeinteractive.com/developers/bridge-api/). Ask your MLS which current route applies to your website and developer. Confirm the supported provider, application address, and person handling approvals. Do this before relying on a product name or a request button. For a local example, Stellar MLS lists MLS Grid and Bridge API as its IDX API options. Its page links provider guides and identifies its Data Services team for help. These are Stellar's options. Rules differ by MLS; confirm your route with your MLS and broker. [Stellar MLS API options, checked 2026.10.13](https://www.stellarmls.com/api-options). ## Prepare the application as a website brief RESO ties credentials to agreement with the MLS's data-use and licensing policies. [RESO credential guidance, checked 2026.10.13](https://www.reso.org/reso-web-api/). Use the following table as a preparation checklist, then complete your MLS's actual process. | Detail to prepare | Question to resolve before submitting | | --- | --- | | Agent and brokerage | Who is requesting the service, and who can approve the use? | | MLS membership details | Which identifiers does this MLS require from the agent, broker, or vendor? | | Website domain | Which public address will use the data, and how should a test address be declared? | | Intended use | Is the request for public listing search, property details, or another specified function? | | Developer or provider | Who builds the connection, and who signs any applicable vendor agreement? | | Requested coverage | Which market and data are needed for the agreed website task? | | Account and billing | Who holds each account, accepts the license, and pays any approved charges? | | Maintenance and departure | Who handles renewal, access changes, and ending the connection? | Keep unanswered fields marked unresolved. Do not fill them with a developer's assumption. Ask the MLS to name the required signatories and any vendor approval process. You can adapt this request without including credentials or private client records: > I am preparing listing search for my own agent website at [domain], under [brokerage]. The intended use is [website function]. My developer or provider is [company and contact]. Please identify the supported access route and application. Name the required broker and vendor approvals. Provide the applicable license and current charges. Explain the credential handoff process. Please confirm the display requirements for this domain. This is a request template, not an MLS form or an approval record. Replace the bracketed fields with verified details. ## Record permitted use separately from connection access NAR's public IDX overview describes participant-authorized, limited electronic display of listings. Treat display approval as a separate question from whether a credential works. Rules differ by MLS. Confirm both with your MLS and broker. [NAR IDX overview, checked 2026.10.13](https://www.nar.realtor/about-nar/policies/internet-data-exchange-idx). Ask for a dated record naming the website domain, approved provider, permitted use, and governing documents. Have your MLS and broker identify the current display requirements. Request their answers about permitted fields, attribution, images, status changes, and removal before the developer implements those choices. [NAR IDX framework, checked 2026.10.13](https://www.nar.realtor/about-nar/policies/internet-data-exchange-idx). Keep ownership questions in the same brief. Ask what happens to access if you change brokerages, developers, or website providers. Require the responsible parties to explain any new application or license needed. Do not assume the domain account and feed authorization follow the same transfer process. ## Hand credentials to the named technical owner After approval, ask the provider to identify the authorized recipient and its secure credential delivery method. Record the endpoint, documentation address, account owner, and support contact in the handoff. Store secrets separately from that record. Bearer tokens require protection during storage and transmission. Anyone holding such a token can use it to access the associated resources. [IETF RFC 6750, October 2012, checked 2026.10.13](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6750). Keep private API credentials out of public page code, screenshots, inquiry forms, and ordinary shared briefs. Require the developer to explain where credentials are stored. Ask who can revoke them, replace them, and recover access after a staff change. Before acceptance, request a review of browser-visible requests and public error messages for exposed secrets. Keep the resulting evidence redacted. Require a handoff that another authorized developer can follow without using the previous developer's personal account. ## Accept a working website and a received question Treat these as proposed acceptance checks. Agree them with the developer and responsible account holders before the build: | Check | Evidence to retain | | --- | --- | | Access application | Submitted request, named approvers, and unresolved items | | Authorization | Dated approval or a pending ticket with a responsible owner | | Connection | Provider-confirmed endpoint and a successful authorized test | | Public display | MLS and broker review against their current requirements | | Buyer property question | Received message containing the property identifier, page address, question, and reply details | | Seller contact | Separate received test message at the agreed destination | | Handoff | Account control, support route, maintenance owner, and credential replacement instructions | For public display, rules differ by MLS. Confirm your checks with your MLS and broker under their current requirements. [NAR IDX overview, checked 2026.10.13](https://www.nar.realtor/about-nar/policies/internet-data-exchange-idx). Use contact details you control for inquiry tests. Submit a marked property question from the website. Compare the message received with the values submitted. Repeat the test through the seller contact route. Keep receipt evidence with the handoff. Ask the developer to demonstrate what visitors see when the listing connection is unavailable. Require a usable contact route in that state. Record failed checks as unfinished work. Do not accept a form confirmation as proof that you received the question. ## Bring the access record into the website scope Bring your current website, MLS, brokerage approval contact, provider details, application status, and inquiry destination. Include the unresolved questions from your access brief. Scale With Search's $2,000 whole website fix covers a static website repair or rebuild with client-owned hosting. It includes an inquiry test with proof of receipt and display of held MLS feeds, subject to required board approvals. Pending feed approvals receive support tickets. The offer promises no lead or ranking outcome. [Real estate website scope, checked 2026.10.13](/for/real-estate). Put the access route, approval status, account control, and maintenance responsibilities in the written website scope before work starts. - [How MLS listings appear on your website, and what search can miss.](/articles/idx-mls) - [Do you need IDX on your real estate website?](/articles/do-you-need-idx-real-estate-website) - [Test the seller inquiry path on your real estate website](/articles/seller-inquiry-path-agent-website) ## Related: Real estate - [How MLS listings appear on your website, and what search can miss.](/articles/idx-mls) - [Do you need IDX on your real estate website?](/articles/do-you-need-idx-real-estate-website) - [Test the seller inquiry path on your real estate website](/articles/seller-inquiry-path-agent-website) ---- ```text .|########||. .|########||. .|########||. |##||. .||##|. |##||. .||##|. |##||. .||##|. |#|. .|#|. |#|. .|#|. |#|. .|#|. |#| |#| |#| |#| |#| |#| .#| |#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#. .#| .#. .#| .#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#| |# ...... #| |# ...... #| |# ...... #| .# ||#########| #| .# ||#########| #| .# ||#########| #| .#. |######||######|. .#. .#. |######||######|. .#. .#. |######||######|. .#. #. .##|###|##|#|######| .# #. .##|###|##|#|######| .# #. .##|###|##|#|######| .# || |##|#||||||||||||#||#| || || |##|#||||||||||||#||#| || || |##|#||||||||||||#||#| || # |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. # |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. # |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || # .#||||||||||||||||||||||||#| # # .#||||||||||||||||||||||||#| # # .#||||||||||||||||||||||||#| # || ....|||#||||||##|#|||#|#||##||||....|. || || ....|||#||||||##|#|||#|#||##||||....|. || || ....|||#||||||##|#|||#|#||##||||....|. || #. . ....|# ....#||| ||| .#||| ....#. .# #. . ....|# ....#||| ||| .#||| ....#. .# #. . ....|# ....#||| ||| .#||| ....#. .# # . ||||#| .#####|| . .#| .#||| ||||# #. # . ||||#| .#####|| . .#| .#||| ||||# #. # . ||||#| .#####|| . .#| .#||| ||||# #. .| ||||| #. |#|||||. || #. |#||. .||||| || .| ||||| #. |#|||||. || #. |#||. .||||| || .| ||||| #. |#|||||. || #. |#||. .||||| || || |.... #. ....|#. |. ...|. ....|| || || |.... #. ....|#. |. ...|. ....|| || || |.... #. ....|#. |. ...|. ....|| || #. .||||||##||||||##||####|||||||#||||||#| .# #. .||||||##||||||##||####|||||||#||||||#| .# #. .||||||##||||||##||####|||||||#||||||#| .# # .||####|###########################|. # # .||####|###########################|. # # .||####|###########################|. # # .#||||||.#.|| # |. ..# #| #|||||#| # # .#||||||.#.|| # |. ..# #| #|||||#| # # .#||||||.#.|| # |. ..# #| #|||||#| # # .#|||||| .. |# ## |#| ...#|#|||#| # # .#|||||| .. |# ## |#| ...#|#|||#| # # .#|||||| .. |# ## |#| ...#|#|||#| # # .#|||#|# .# .#| #| ##|.#..#|||||#| # # .#|||#|# .# .#| #| ##|.#..#|||||#| # # .#|||#|# .# .#| #| ##|.#..#|||||#| # # .#||||||############|######|||||#| # # .#||||||############|######|||||#| # # .#||||||############|######|||||#| # # |...||#||||||#||||#|#||||||#|||||#||| |.| # # |...||#||||||#||||#|#||||||#|||||#||| |.| # # |...||#||||||#||||#|#||||||#|||||#||| |.| # #. .. ||||# .|||##|. |#| .|| || .|||#. #| # .# #. .. ||||# .|||##|. |#| .|| || .|||#. #| # .# #. .. ||||# .|||##|. |#| .|| || .|||#. #| # .# || | ...|| ...##| | #| .|. |. ##### .. .| || || | ...|| ...##| | #| .|. |. ##### .. .| || || | ...|| ...##| | #| .|. |. ##### .. .| || || ||||| || ||||#| . |. |. |#. ||||| |#| || || || ||||| || ||||#| . |. |. |#. ||||| |#| || || || ||||| || ||||#| . |. |. |#. ||||| |#| || || .# |.....#|....|#.||||.|||##.|#|....||.#||.#. #. .# |.....#|....|#.||||.|||##.|#|....||.#||.#. #. .# |.....#|....|#.||||.|||##.|#|....||.#||.#. #. #.|||||||#############################| ||| .# #.|||||||#############################| ||| .# #.|||||||#############################| ||| .# || ##||#||#||||||#||#||#||#||##. || || ##||#||#||||||#||#||#||#||##. || || ##||#||#||||||#||#||#||#||##. || # .#|||||||||#||#|||||||||||#| # # .#|||||||||#||#|||||||||||#| # # .#|||||||||#||#|||||||||||#| # || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||||||#| || .# |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. .# |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. .# |#||||||||||||||||||||#| #. || |#||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||#| || || |#||||||||||||||||||#| || #. .######|#|#########| .# #. .######|#|#########| .# #. .######|#|#########| .# .#. |#####||||#####| .#. .#. |#####||||#####| .#. .#. |#####||||#####| .#. |# ||########|| #. |# ||########|| #. |# ||########|| #. |# ...... #| |# ...... #| |# ...... #| |#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#. |#. .#. |#. .#. .#| |#. .#| |#. .#| |#. |#| |#| |#| |#| |#| |#| .|#|. .|#|. .|#|. .|#|. .|#|. .|#|. |##||. .||##| |##||. .||##| |##||. .||##| .||########||. .||########||. .||########||. 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