What is the MLS?
The MLS is the Multiple Listing Service, MLS for short, and is the primary directory of homes for sale in most states. A long time ago, if a home was listed for sale you needed to talk to the agent that was marketing the property - the listing agent. In order to facilitate that marketing, companies began printing books with the listings that each agent had, forming a common repository of listings that all agents could search. As the world moved on-line, the books did too, and now we are left with the MLS as an internet site where listing agents enter the property, and it is now searchable by agents and buyers alike. (with some differences, noted below)What is the MLS in Massachusetts?
The MLS in Massachusetts is the largest Listing Service in Massachusetts. Virtually all agencies subscribe to the MLS rules, which is necessary to agree to, as part of the agreement to list homes for sale in the MLS database.Do you provide customers with access to the MLS?
Yes, I do, in two ways. First, my website allows access to many towns with quicklinks based on price ranges in those towns here. As per MLS rules, I can't show you address for these homes, just price ranges and addresses. If however, you subscribe to my version of MLS here, you will see all the addresses, have access to map integration, and the full set of tools that make internet shopping so useful.Why should I list my Home in the MLS?
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| Finding Your Next Home is Made Easier with MLS access |
What happens if I don’t list my home in the MLS?
It is very likely that you will get far less exposure, and usually that exposure translates to a lower sales price. There aren't many people driving around neighborhoods anymore, looking for for sale signs. Most people who track such things believe that between 85-90% of all home buyers are using the internet to look for a home. In Massachusetts, those numbers are probably low.What else has homes listed besides the MLS in Massachusetts
There are other listing services, but none are as big. Boston Link, which focused in Boston, is still around but most Boston brokers list properties in both, as buyers come from all over, not just the next town over, and MLS is better at reaching those buyers than Link at this time. There are also websites that are not affiliated with MLS, such as For Sale By Owner sites (often called FSBO, (pronounced Fiz-Bough), but these are designed as person-to-person websites, and don't have nearly as much traffic or exposure.What Are MLS Numbers?
MLS Numbers are the identification numbers that MLS uses to unique identify each listing in it's database. Those numbers are often useful to track and search for later, as they pop up in lots of places around the internet.How does Zillow and Trulia work with the MLS?
Zillow and Trulia are among the largest websites that have asked for, and received, permission to download MLS listings and post them on their site. As a rule, they only post limited information about each home, may or may not display the listing agents contact information in an obvious place, and generally will post fewer pictures. Most "third-part websites" take the full and complete MLS information and only use part of it. Also, although they are pretty good (one to two days) at picking up new listings, they are often slow to note price changes, pending sales, and closings. Closings on Zillow can often take months to show up, for example. Serious house shoppers would do well to get on an MLS website that is the full functioning and direct link to MLS for all these reasons.Do Good Things Today!
Matt Heisler
*All information is posted in good faith and is assumed to be reliable, but may rely on third party information sources.
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