The MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is the single most effective tool a Realtor uses to do their job. The MLS is a private database in which Real Estate Brokers advertise properties for sale and offer compensation to other cooperating brokers who are also members of the MLS. Cooperating brokers use this database as a resource to assist potential buyers and sellers.
The Rim Association of Realtors MLS is unique in that it is a "Members Only" database with no reciprocal agreements with any other MLS systems. Realtors who are not members of this MLS will not have access to necessary information contained in the MLS database, nor are they entitled to a commission on any properties that are advertised in that MLS without separate agreement.
If the agent you are using to either buy or sell property is not a member of Rim Association of Realtors MLS, you probably should ask why. Here are a couple of reasons why it is so important.
First as a buyer, your agent needs to have access to the latest and most complete information available to make sure that you make a good investment. Isn't one of the biggest reasons to use a Realtor is to make the home finding experience easier? Using an agent who does not have access to the best information is kind of like shopping for a home half blindfolded. While they may have some limited information at their disposal, unless they have the data from the local MLS, they are dealing with incomplete data that could cost the buyer dearly.
Second as a seller, 95% of all homes in our market are sold by the agents that are members of the Rim Association of Realtors MLS. As a seller, your home needs to be advertised to those agents who have buyers that are buying in our market area. The local MLS is the most effective way to advertise to those agents. If your property is listed in an off the hill MLS, how are the agents in this market going to find it? Do you want to market to the 95% of the agents that are going to sell the property or the 5% off the hill.
If your property is invisible to the local agents the chances are it will not sell. Regularly we see properties that have been listed with out of area agents in outside MLS systems not sell. When these same properties are re-listed with a local member of the Rim MLS, they then sell within a reasonable time period.
Whether buying or selling in our market, make sure who ever you are working with is a member of the Rim of the World Association of Realtors to insure that you get the necessary local expertise and results.
Comments(0)