By Brett Woolley, Home Buyer Representative
I have been giving MLS software and systems presentations since the early 1990s. During that time, one of my favorite questions to ask the group is- “How many of you have been asked by your clients, how’s the market?” It’s fun because nearly every hand will go up, and then we share experiences of how that question can come up any time, including when you first start working with the client, while your listing is on the market, or when a buyer is in the process of looking for a home. Then I ask the group, “What is the most common answer given by a real estate professional when clients ask about the market?” The answer I get is nearly universal, “It’s Great!”
I follow up with the more important question, “What did your client learn from ‘It’s great,’ and how was your professionalism as an agent enhanced by that answer?” That’s when the faces in the group become more serious as they realize their clients probably learned nothing at all and they, as agents, may have missed an opportunity to demonstrate not only their knowledge and expertise, but the quality of the tools they provide to their clients. This classroom back and forth dialogue is the perfect setup to introduce a phenomenal, yet not well known, feature of the Flexmls IDX product– a robust Market Statistics page your clients can see for themselves.
Now, when you get asked, “How’s the market?”, you can not only give an interesting, thought-provoking answer based on your own knowledge, but you can also let your clients know that you have given them a terrific tool they can use on their own through their Flexmls IDX account! This tool enhances the basic home search functionality of Flexmls IDX and establishes you as a true partner in the transaction by providing cutting- edge tools.
As 2026 approaches, many agents are hopeful that declining mortgage rates will bring back home buyers. But mortgage rates alone may not be enough to get buyers off the fence. Understanding improving market conditions and allowing your buyer clients to see the market trends for themselves through their Flexmls IDX account could make a difference. As such, helping your buyer (and seller) clients become more market savvy could create a major competitive advantage for you.
If your website isn’t featuring Market Stats yet, now’s the time to make it happen for 2026. With the Flexmls IDX Smart Frame and Flexmls IDX WordPress Plugin, you get powerful, built-in Flexmls-Connected Statistics designed to boost engagement and deliver real value to your visitors.
In Part 2 of this short series, I’ll walk you through step-by-step tutorials so you can launch these tools quickly and confidently.
Until then, connect with one of our expert FBS IDX Consultants at 866-320-9977 or click below to discover how these features can elevate your online presence and set you up for success in 2026.
