Multiple Listing Service (MLS)

Most people have probably heard of MLS when dealing with real estate issues. MLS was created many years ago as a way for the real estate industry to share data. Before MLS, each real estate company kept their own seperate list of homes for sale and it was much more difficult for one company or agent to learn about all the other homes for sale in the area that were listed with other companies.

MLS has changed all that. Today, the vast majority of real estate firms all include their inventory of homes for sale in the MLS database. This makes it easy for any agent to access the database and get a complete picture of just about every home for sale in a given area. MLS revolutionized the real estate industry -- no doubt about it!

With the advent of the Internet, yet another revolution rippled across the industry. The ability to provide MLS data directory to consumers. This development was met with great skeptism by many agents who were in the business for many years. Some of them were afraid that losing exclusive access to the MLS database would no longer provide a reason for potential home buyers to contact them.

These fears have not been realized, and many agents believe that the Internet has been a very great help to agents and consumers alike. The ability for a consumer to "window shop" for homes on the Internet greatly enhances the consumers ability to guage the market, establish criteria and assess inventory even before they talk to a real estate agent. This streamlines the process for the consumer and allows the agent to help the consumer find what they are looking for more quickly and efficiently.

Summary of MLS Benefits

• Property information is distributed to the entire brokerage community.
• Provides immediate access for brokers to show your house to prospective buyers.
• Descriptive copy and photographs accompany the listing.
• MLS database feeds listing information to Realtor.com® along with every other real estate web site that include MLS data for our region!