What is MLS and How Does it Help Me Find Homes for Sale?

MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service. A multiple listing service is a collection of private databases of homes for sale that is used by real estate brokers who agree to share their listings with one another. The databases allow agents to easily share information with ready, willing and able buyers.

To say it in another way, the MLS is a sharing of home information among real estate professionals.  Agents list the data about homes for sale and share that information with other agents and brokers who have buyers looking for homes for sale.

The MLS includes the specifics of a home, which may include the address, age, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms and school district in which it’s located. The MLS listing also provides pictures of the home for sale.

The most efficient way to get detailed information on homes for sale is to have your real estate agent set up an MLS search for you. Ask your agent for the most comprehensive report on homes that match your criteria.

The agent can set up a system to automatically send you an email with new listings of homes for sale.  The report can be customized with specific data such as:

• Zip code
• Street or subdivision
• Price range
• Number of bedrooms and baths
• Garages
• Pools
• Square footage

Links:

Multiple Listing Service

http://home.howstuffworks.com/real-estate/multiple-listing-services.htm

Square footage

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/measure-square-footage.htm

School district

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/neighborhoods/school-district/ratings/