The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) connects real estate sellers, buyers, agents, and professionals, together for one common goal. Whether you are a property owner wanting to sell their home, a buyer wanting to find their dream home, or a real estate agent helping your client with their real estate needs, the MLS connects properties on the market with potential new owners.
Keep reading to learn more about the MLS and how you can use Multiple Listing Service databases to guide either your home buying or selling journey!
How the Multiple Listing Service Works
The multiple listing service (MLS) works in collaboration with real estate brokers everywhere! The MLS is a private database that is maintained and paid for by the real estate agents of each region.
Most of the time, access to information from MLS listings is provided free of charge to the public by agents that participate in the MLS. Brokers share information on properties they have listed and invite other brokers to cooperate in exchange for compensation if they produce the buyer.
How the MLS Started
The concept of the MLS got started back in the late 1800s. Real estate agents network with other real estate agents in hopes to connect property buyers and sellers.
The property database caught on quickly and evolved into the modern system we use today with over 800 regional MLSs!
What’s Included in your Listing
Since access to the MLS database is limited to agents, sellers cannot post their homes directly to the MLS. Once an agent and seller sign a listing agreement, lots of information about their home is included in their listing.
Some common specs you can find in an MLS include:
- the number of bedrooms
- the number of bathrooms
- square footage of home
Photos of the property will be including in the listing on the database on behalf of the seller. After the listing hits the MLS, it will be syndicated to other websites like REALTOR.com, Google, Zillow, and Trulia, and even our office’s website, 828realestate.com.
Check out our MLS’ featured listings.
Benefits of Listing on the MLS
Listing your property on the MLS can be a major benefit when you are starting to sell your home. Having access to the MLS in the first place is one of the biggest!
While a seller may try to sell their property For Sale By the Owner because they want to save money, it is truly more beneficial to use a real estate agent solely because of their exclusive access to listing on the MLS. The property will reach a much larger audience and attract a lot more buyers.
The MLS is a great tool for real estate agents and is worth the annual cost each agent has to pay. With the wide exposure, it is the best way to advertise and market your home as a seller while allowing buyers to search listings with ease. Any changes to your listing are continuously updated, so when different options are on the table, you still remain on the radar!
If you would like to get set up for a specific property search on our MLS, contact an 828 Real Estate agent today!
