Data Dictionary

The RESO Data Dictionary is the real estate industry’s universal language for data. It allows a wide range of systems to talk to each other in a seamless manner.

The need for the Data Dictionary arose as the real estate industry evolved from printed MLS books to a digital experience. Thousands of REALTOR® associations and MLSs adopted unique technology systems to serve their local markets. These systems often couldn not communicate with each other.

The Data Dictionary defines real estate data in consistent terms and structures and is a template for building systems that are flexible, scalable and interoperable.

Visit the RESO Data Dictionary Wiki for the full list of data resources, fields and lookups that guide the development of data systems.

Data Dictionary Construction

The Data Dictionary Wiki is built on a tree structure of resources, fields and lookup values (aka enumerations).

Major categories are called resources. Property, Member (i.e., real estate agents), Office (i.e., real estate brokers) and Media are all resources.
Resources are made up of fields, some of which are contained in groups, particularly in the Property Resource. For example, the Characteristics Group contains fields for Community Features, Horse Amenities, Laundry Facilities, Pool Features and more.
Lookups are specific items associated with fields. For example, the Fencing field contains lookups for different fence description types, such as Chain Link, Front Yard, Perimeter, Vinyl, Wood and more.

There are extensive links and cross links within the wiki. For example, while viewing a field with lookups, you can also expand lookup details. It is also possible to chain backwards from any lookup items to one of its referenced fields

From the wiki or in the technical specifications below, the Data Dictionary can also be downloaded as a spreadsheet. In fact, this is the format in which the dictionary begins and how all new items are added to it.

Each version of the Data Dictionary contains valuable introductory information in the wiki to help understand its background, use and context. Topics include:

Benefits

Using the Data Dictionary creates concrete benefits for professionals and consumers:

Simplified Integrations: Standardized data allows tools to work together more accurately.
Faster Creation of New Tools: Technology built on a common standard saves time and money via speed while creating more insightful data.
A Seal of Approval: RESO certification provides a level of trust that data partners can rely upon.
Promotion of Leadership: The “RESO Certified” logo is a sign that an organization is leading the industry in moving standards forward.
Industry Collaboration: Working with RESO’s 800+ member organizations provides significant benefits for industry newcomers and incumbents.

Technical Specifications and Testing Rules

These documents describe RESO’s specifications. Because MLSs certify Data Dictionary standards on the RESO Web API, both sets of specifications are important for technical developers to understand.

By downloading these resources, you confirm that you agree to the RESO EULA.

Extensibility

While RESO’s Data Dictionary defines a standard for many kinds of data fields, it also allows for local markets to establish custom fields that reflect unique local situations. Local fields can also be managed in a standardized way, allowing flexibility while ensuring interoperability. Local real estate flavors can easily remain flavorful!

Additionally, new fields are regularly added to the Data Dictionary to support industry needs. By joining RESO and collaborating with its workgroups, members are able to directly expand RESO standards. | VISIT THE DATA DICTIONARY WORKGROUP

Languages

While the RESO Data Dictionary is in English at the data description level, it can easily be extended to other languages. RESO has a standard for delivering multi-language metadata, so that users can choose which language to display in which marketplaces.

Certification

RESO certifies MLSs, brokers and technology partners on the RESO Data Dictionary and Web API standards. RESO also certifies standalone Data Dictionary payloads through the RESO Common Format standard.

Visit RESO Certification or email certification@reso.org for further answers.

Acknowledgements

RESO members are the industry experts who craft the Data Dictionary. We are enormously grateful for their contributions.

Editors: Rob Larson, Bob Gottesman, Joshua Darnell, Jeremy Crawford, Paul Stusiak, Jason Darrough, Greg Sax

Contributors: AJ Sulayman, Alexander Likholyot, Amanda Herring, Anthony Percaccio, Ashish Antal, Audrey Bagdon, Barbara Keller, Beldon Panter, Bill Kellogg, Bob Kimpland, Brian Kennedy, Bruce Wolven, Cal Heldenbrand, Chime Ogbuji, Chip McAvoy, Connie Saldana, Chris Haran, Chris Lambrou, Darren Bailey, Daniel Ortega, David Williamson, Debbie Zorawowicz, Ed Newman, Eric Peterson, Eric Stegemann, Fred Larsen, Gayle Ludemann, Geoff Weinhold, Greg Lemon, Greg Moore, Harman Gill, Ivaan Nazaroff, James Martin, James Sullivan, Jason Graham, John Breault, Joseph Szurgyi, Josh Tayloe, Joshua Vosper, Kevin Tranby, Kristin Youngk, Kim Hutchinson, Laura Stukel, Lori Coburn, Malcolm Waring, Mary Foster, Mark Bessett, Mark Lesswing, Matt Cohen, Mathew Kallumadil, Matthew McGuire, Matthew Pittis, Meg Garabrant, Michael Dean, Michael Wurzer, Mike Sparr, Olga Ermolin, Patrick Williamson, Paul Desormeaux, Paul Hethmon, Rebecca Jensen, Richard Gibbens, Richard Torp, Rick Herrera, Rick Trevino, Rob Overman, Rob Wagoner, Russ Bergeron, Sam DeBord, Sean Murphy, Sergio Del Rio, Steve Ledwidth, Steve Price, Troy Davisson