More than 18,000 subscribers of Sunnyvale, Calif.-based MLSListings Inc. will be able to market themselves and their listings to real estate agents in more than 95 countries through a partnership with global network Proxio Inc., the companies said.
Palo Alto, Calif.-based Proxio provides property display technology and agent networking solutions that will give MLSListings’ agents and brokers an opportunity to showcase, translate and market listings in 19 languages for local multicultural buyers.
Proxio partners with multiple listing services, brokerages and real estate organizations to help agents connect and market to agents from other regions by interest, specialty, language or location.
"People want to connect with Asia and Europe, and form networking alliances with investors in other parts of the world," MLSListings President and CEO Jim Harrison said. "I’ve had lots of brokers ask me about opportunities (to market themselves internationally), and I think Proxio is a tool to accomplish that.
Launched in Europe in 2007 and the U.S. the following year, Proxio brought Alain Pinel and NRT veteran Larry Knapp on board last fall as executive vice president. A few weeks after joining Proxio, Knapp took over as CEO of Sacramento-based Lyon Real Estate.
Proxio CEO Janet Case said Knapp "is still very much engaged with Proxio. Larry is a talented, energetic, and respected real estate executive, and we’re delighted to have him on the Proxio team."
Knapp is also a founding member of MLSListings, serving on the company’s board since 2007. Harrison said the marketing agreement between MLSListings and Proxio was signed before Knapp joined Proxio, and did not require approval by MLSListings’ board.
"I signed that contract over a year ago — it took quite a while to get it integrated," Harrison said.
MLSListings has introduced a number of new services in recent months. In September, MLSListings was one of the first two MLSs in the nation to flip the switch on the National Association of Realtors’ new property database, Realtors Property Resource.
The company is also working with the California Association of Realtors to develop an industry standard for agent ratings and reviews, through a pilot project involving six member brokerages.
In January, MLSListings announced it was offering branded Internet Data Exchange (IDX) websites powered by technology firm iHomefinder to members.
The company is also reportedly working with Onboard Informatics to provide "lifestyle" search capabilities early next year.
