Nearly 40,000 real estate professionals in Chicago and the surrounding region now see a "Walk Score" for each listing when they log in to their multiple listing service, and can highlight local amenities and commute times in reports they print out or email to clients.
Lisle, Ill.-based Midwest Real Estate Data LLC (MRED) is the largest MLS in the nation to partner with Seattle-based Walk Score to date. Walk Score generates more than 4 million walkability scores on more than 10,000 websites, including real estate sites Zillow.com, ZipRealty.com, ForRent.com and MyNewPlace.com.
Metrolist, a regional MLS in Colorado, was one of the first MLSs to integrate Walk Scores into its public-facing website, Recolorado.com, in 2008. Visitors to the site can search for properties by Walk Score. Another Walk Score MLS partner, San Diego-based Sandicor, also displays Walk Scores on its public listing portal.
MRED, which serves the metro Chicago area including northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, and northwest Indiana, does not operate a publicly accessible listing portal. MRED has integrated Walk Score into its connectMLS system, which is accessible only to member real estate brokers, agents and appraisers. Members can incorporate Walk Scores into reports they generate for clients.
"I have been including Walk Score in the marketing of my listings and directing my clients to the site for a while now," said Andrea Geller of Coldwell Banker Residential in Chicago, in a statement released by MRED.
"Walk Score is the best site for neighborhood information, especially in an urban area. The partnership between Walk Score and MRED removes the necessity to go outside the listing to obtain the neighborhood information the consumer is expecting."
Brokers and agents who wish to feature Walk Score on their Internet Data Exchange (IDX) sites may enter into their own agreements with Walk Score, or through IDX vendors that include Walk Score in their products, such as Diverse Solutions, LPS Real Estate and iHomeFinder.
WalkScore offers free, ad-supported products or "premium" services priced at $25 a month for sites with up to 25,000 monthly visitors, and $90 a month for up to 100,000 visitors. Walk Score offers "enterprise" level services to sites with more visitors or multiple domains.
