What is a Virtual Office Web Site (VOW)?

According to a NAR white paper, a Virtual Office Web site (VOW):

might be seen as the electronic equivalent of a participant’s brick and mortar office where potential purchasers enter, describe the property being sought, provide contact information, and receive listing information responsive to their stated needs.... In the VOW context, instead of walking into participants’ brick and mortar offices, potential purchasers come to their websites.

The October 2002 proposed VOW policy from NAR describes a VOW as a:

Participant's Internet website, or a feature of a Participant's Internet website, through which the Participant provides real estate brokerage services to consumers with whom the Participant has first established a broker-consumer relationship (as defined by state law) where the consumer has the opportunity to search MLS active listing data without direct personal involvement or interaction ... with a broker or licensee.

The term "Participant" refers to the designated broker who has joined the MLS.
 

Where Can I Get More Information?