How MLS Works

My neighbor across the street told me I did not need to send her MLS listings because she could access them online. For a moment, I wondered if maybe she was a licensed as a real estate agent or maybe as an appraiser. But no, turns out she thought she could find online listings through the Sacramento Bee.

Well, she can't. Not really. She doesn't receive all the information, and the part that she does receive isn't the whole story.

And that's the problem with most feeds from MLS listings. Sometimes they are outdated; sometimes the homes are already sold, among other restrictions.

Home buyers who want up-to-date information need to get it from a MLS member -- generally a real estate agent -- who can set up the buyer on automated searches directly from MLS. Real-time information is what propels the world today. Don't settle for yesterday's news. Get the skinny on MLS how it works, and put it to work for you. Buying a home is hard enough. You need accurate data.

Ready to Read More Real Estate Articles? Click below:

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• Finding a Real Estate Agent

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Technorati tag: multiple listing service MLS