The Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
What is the MLS, and how does it work for you? The MLS is a database of properties currently on the market in the area. Brokers
participating in the MLS (which includes virtually all Brokers in the
area) list all the homes they have for sale and agree to share in the
sales commission of the properties. This means
that if I list your property on the MLS for you, but another agent
finds a buyer for your house, that other broker or agent is entitled to
part of the commission. The big advantage to
you, as the seller, is that every single broker and agent participating
in the MLS has an incentive to sell your home. This effectively puts every agent in the area to work selling your home! The first place a buyers agent looks is always the MLS. There is simply no better way to gain instant and widespread exposure for your home than listing it on the MLS.
So, the first thing I'll do as your agent is get your home listed on the MLS! When
another agent is searching for a home to meet the needs of a buyer, the
agent will search the MLS based on the buyers criteria for price range
and features. So I'll enter all the important
information about your home, such as the size, number of bedrooms and
bathrooms, and any special features. I'll also take photos of your house and include them with your MLS listing. Agents and buyers alike are always more likely to look at listings with photos.