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| How the MLS Serves the Client |
The multiple listing service (MLS) has been around for decades. Up until sometime in the 1990s, at least in Southern California, publication of listings was available through printed books, or catalogs, of listings published periodically. Naturally, as the internet became more prevalent, REALTOR associations discontinued printed books. Online access was faster and more accessible, and subsequently, not only were listings available through individual members of the MLSs, but the MLSs licensed the brokers' listings out to internet sites, creating an even faster and wider access to the buying public. Currently, in the California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), which is one of the largest in the country, there are 39 participating Realtor Associations and Boards, 8 reciprocal partners and 6 other service areas, which add up to about 148,000 users. In addition, brokers may use an additional service which syndicates their listings to more than 60,000 brokerages and 85 publishers. The brokerages Redfin and Zillow may be familiar names which are included in this wide distribution.
In comparison, in the earliest days, listing information about a property was distributed solely by the broker who had the listing, so that in order to find out what was on the market, the buyer (and agent) had to travel to various broker offices to find out about its office listings. In fact, this practice has continued for a long time in other parts of the world. Can you imagine how long it took to get the word out using this method?
Another example of slow, and limited, exposure would be sellers who put a sign out in front of their house in order to get their own buyer. That method traditionally depended on someone looking in the classified ads finding their posting, or driving around the neighborhood and coming across their sign. For sale by owners now can upload to the internet, but are dependent on the specific sites they use.
The most important thing for a seller, once a listing is appropriately priced and prepared for market, is exposure to as many buyers as possible. If you list with me, I will take all the appropriate steps as required by the Code of Ethics and the MLS rules to place your property in the MLS on a timely basis, because exposure to the buying public as soon as possible is how you will obtain the best price for your property.
If you have questions about this process and would like more understanding about how the MLS operates and what is included in a listing, I can help you. I have been doing this business for a very long time and my goal is always to sell your property at the best price and terms.
Please visit my website for some area market reports and community resource maps.
Julia Huntsman, REALTOR, Broker | http://www.abodes.realestate | 562-896-2609 | California Lic. #01188996
