Are you ready to buy or sell your home? Do you know if it’s listed on an MLS in Charlottesville? And why does it matter?
If you’re buying or selling, it’s important to understand how a multiple listing service (MLS) works and can benefit you. Although this isn’t a service you—as the seller or buyer—can access, you can tap into this resource through your real estate agent.
What Is a Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?
Unique to the real estate industry, a multiple listing service (MLS) is an online database with properties for purchase or sale. Real estate agents share information in an effort to connect buyers and sellers more efficiently.
Competition is high in real estate. The MLS encourages collaboration between competitors to level the playing field and create faster connections between buyers and sellers. The MLS listing is not public, but buyers and sellers can access listings through their agents.
How MLS Benefits Buyers
If you’re looking to buy a home, talk to your agent about what’s available on the MLS Charlottesville. When you work with a real estate agent who is part of an MLS, you gain access to more home-buying options!
Whether listed by a larger broker or a local agent, your real estate agent can view all the properties available on the MLS. If you’ve spent time sharing your wants and desires in a new home with your agent, the MLS will make it easier for them to find a home that fits your preferences.
Agents who use an MLS are notified when new homes hit the market. They get first access to new listings, which means you do, too. You’ll be privy to more information through your agent’s connections with the MLS.
How MLS Benefits Sellers
When you are ready to list your home for sale, the MLS puts your property in front of more real estate agents.
If you list your home with an agent who is part of an MLS, they share your property details with all the buyer agents in the MLS database. This means your property gets more exposure, which will lead to a faster sale.
Instead of having your home listed on one real estate site, you benefit from your real estate agent’s connections! Now, your home is listed in multiple directories, increasing the chance of an offer.
What Does It Cost?
Listing or searching for homes on an MLS does not cost the buyer or seller anything.
In most cases, joining an MLS as a real estate agent requires a membership fee. But, the connections through the MLS benefit the agents, buyers, and sellers, so it’s money well spent! It is helpful to your agent to be part of a local MLS.
How Does This Affect My Search for an Agent
When you are ready to buy or sell a home, you need to determine what qualities and services you want in a real estate agent.
Real estate agents belong to an MLS as part of their services. This means that whether you are working with a local agent or a large firm, they have access to the same properties and information. Ask your agent where their MLS covers.
Finding a local real estate agent with MLS connections is a great option! Local agents know the communities better than larger firms that might operate out of the area. The MLS database then provides those local agents with the same access to properties and information as larger firms.
The Denise Ramey team uses CAAR, Long & Foster, and IDX Brokers for their listings, combining the coverage of all three MLS databases.
Learn more by contacting our experienced agents at Denise Ramey Real Estate today!
