How do I get images from the MLS RETS feed provided by CRMLS (formerly Carets MLS)?

Question

I am getting this as response when using the GetObject() feature of the RETS feed:

Array
(
    [0] => Array
        (
            [Success] => 
            [Content-Type] => text/xml
            [MIME-Version] => 1.0
            [Length] => 53
            [Data] => 

            [ReplyCode] => 20401
            [ReplyText] => Invalid Type
        )

)

GetObject() works for most RETS feeds, but I'm getting errors with CRMLS. How do I get images from the MLS RETS feed provided by CRMLS (formerly Carets MLS)?

Answer 1

There could be a number of causes for this.

First, going only by the error message, the server is suggesting that the given Type attribute in the request is incorrect. Using PHRETS, this is the value of the 2nd argument in the GetObject request. Check http://www.retsmd.com with your RETS credentials, select one of the Property classes, and when the list of fields loads, a "View Object Types" link should appear at the top of the table. Clicking that will display the available types that you can request. Photo is the most common but they may not provide it by that name.

In some other (though rare) cases, RETS servers may not provide access to media through GetObject. Instead, they may have a "Media" resource where you'd retrieve information about objects the same way you would with other data (like listings or agents rosters).