Secure MLS Browser PluginUntil today, MLSs have been walled Internet gardens. The MLS is accessed through the browser, but is entirely separated from the rest of the open Internet. iMapp just released an innovation that may begin a trend to change all of that.

With iMapp, real estate agents with accounts may install a search plugin into their browser. This plugin puts a layer of MLS tax data on top of any website. With the search plugin, agents can look up tax on any property address found on any website – this includes the MLS, Agent and Broker Property Search Websites, Consumer property search websites like homes.com, Zillow, Trulia, realtor.com, even the MLS consumer facing website. In fact, iMapp does not care what website you are on. As long as you have an iMapp account, you can access iMapp property tax wherever you can see an address on the Internet.

In a way, Dwellicious may have been the first MLS technology tool plugin used by agents. The Dwellicious plugin provided agents with a tool that worked across all websites to bookmark listing. Either Agents or Consumers can bookmark property on any website and share that bookmark with people they choose.

This new, creative application by iMapp was not manifested in the intent of introducing professional research data onto the open web. However, intentional or not – that is what it does. Today’s MLS Vendors and MLS operators would serve themselves well to innovate around this concept to support the agent and broker.

Here are some examples:

Add/Edit Listing – This browser plugin could allow agents to quickly add/edit any of their listings

Quick Sheet – With a browser plugin, the agent could have access to their quick sheet of market activity without loggin into the MLS.

MLS Notifications – the MLS notification plugin could alert agents to important MLS notifications.

Data checking software – the MLS data checking software could analyze the accuracy of listing information on any websites. This software could validate the price, listing agent and broker, etc. The plugin could also make it easy for subscribers to report illegal data usage, rules violations, and other data integrity communications.

Showing Software – a showing software plugin may allow anyone anywhere to request and schedule a property showing.

Tax Lookup Solutions like iMapp.

View on MLS Consumer Website – This tool would allow consumers to lookup any address found anywhere on the internet on the MLS Consumer Facing Website to lookup more comprehensive listing information, find the listing agent/broker, etc.

Document Management – Transaction management – Ability to receive alerts, updates, access files, sign documents right from the browser tool.

Multilingual MLS – for mls subscribers or their client – sharing information using multiple languages is always convenient. The current translation services in the browser do not work as well as the industry products like Immobel or Proxio.

Analytics – the browser plugin could bring up market analysis from 10k, RPR, Zillow, RBI, Trend Graphics or all market analytic products.

Agent Contact and Ratings – a browser plugin may enable agents or consumers to quickly look up an agent’s contact information and possibly their agent rating.

A Mega Plugin – This MLS Mega Plugin could open up a dashboard menu of any or all of these features.

Have more ideas – leave them in the comments below.