What Is a Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?

Real estate is a huge market and there are millions of Americans looking to buy and sell homes. In fact, over 5 million existing homes were bought and sold throughout the country in 2019. While you can sell a home on your own without any assistance, many people will use real estate agents or brokers to help them out and simplify the process.

However, even with the help of realtors, it can sometimes still be difficult to find the right buyer for your home, or find the right home to buy. That is where something like a MLS (multiple listing service) comes in handy. But just what is an MLS? Well, that is exactly what this article is going to take a closer look at.

What is a Multiple Listing Service?

A multiple listing service is essentially a real estate technology that is all about the creation of a private database of information aimed at helping people buy and sell their homes. Listing and selling agents will collaborate on these systems to help connect sellers and buyers for a smooth and efficient purchasing process. Listing agents will often offer compensation to buying agents who can bring potential buyers to their listings, as well. A ton of information and data will be shared that can be valuable for both sides.

This sharing of information has been happening for well over a hundred years, as well. Back in the 1800s, brokers would visit associations and share information on the properties they were attempting to sell. These services are all about agents helping each other out, in a way that is beneficial to both sides.

There are various different kinds of MLS services as well. For example, a flat fee MLS can get your home in front of millions of potential customers, for a small fee, and help you not need to worry about variable costs. Some can offer the benefits of an MLS, without even needing a realtor as the information can be shared with you directly. The MLS industry will only continue to grow and innovate over the coming years, and it will be exciting to see the direction it goes.

What are the Benefits of an MLS?

So what are the main benefits of an MLS? Well the first is all of the data. Having access to so much information on homes in the area can really help agents assist people in finding the right homes for their needs. The compiled data can often include photos, details, square footage and more.

Of course, for sellers, the benefits are obvious as well. These systems help get your home in front of many more agents and buyers, which increases the chance of you finding the right buyer. So, as you can see, MLS makes it easier for sellers and buyers to achieve their desired results. Sellers will see their home get much more exposure thanks to these agreements, and buyers will get information on a ton of different homes, while continuing to only have to work with a single broker or agent.

There are also benefits to the agents. While real estate is inherently competitive, cooperation is also very important. MLS can help this cooperation be mutually beneficial for everyone involved, and save a lot of time and money. Without the MLS, agents would have a hard time creating such a massive database for their clients.

In conclusion, we hope this blog post and the information included in it have been able to help you learn more about what a multiple listing service is.