The Center for Realtor Technology of the National Association of Realtors has released ezRETS, a new data retrieval tool designed for real estate that allows Realtors to download and use property listing information in the Real Estate Transaction Standard format.
RETS is a standard for exchanging real estate information and providing easier access and movement of information.
The new application helps Realtors easily select information that can then be integrated into reports such as comparative market brochures, studies of return on investment or neighborhood trend reports. EzRETS is an Open Data Base Connectivity driver, designed to receive data from a RETS-based Multiple Listing Service database. ODBC drivers are designed to make it possible to access any data from any application, regardless of which database management system is handling the data. Because of the connectivity capabilities of ezRETS, it can often eliminate the need for proprietary interfaces and custom programming, thus saving time and money.
“Software wizards built into familiar desktop applications like MS Word and Excel can take advantage of ezRETS to simplify the information retrieval process. With ezRETS, specialized real estate reports, graphs and analyses can now be easily produced,” said Mark Lesswing, NAR vice president and director of CRT.
EzRETS is based on the CRT application libRETS, which is a programming interface that operates between computer platforms and simplifies communications with RETS servers.
EzRETS and other CRT applications are freely available from CRT under an open-source listing. There is no charge to NAR members for use or licensing of the applications. EzRETS is available for downloading at http://www.realtor.org/CRT or by contacting CRT at info@crt.realtors.org.
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