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What is the MLS and why can't I put my listing on it without a Realtor?

By Alan May

Real Estate Agent with Jameson Sotheby's International Realty

January 29, 2016 06:44 AM

Well, first of all, MLS an acronym that stands for Multiple Listing Service, and there are lots of individual services all over the country. There are over 700 multiple listing services that are administered by over 1400 local Realtor boards.

So, what is it?

A multiple listing service (or system) is an advertising media, created by Realtor and Realtor boards, as a database to communicate between agents and agencies. MLS listings typically contain photographs, a description of the property and an offer of compensation to the buyer's brokerage if they should bring a buyer to the table.

Multiple listing services are not a public entity. They are a private membership system, that Realtors pay heftily in order to join, so that they can share information. In order to list on the MLS, in fact in order to even view the properties on the MLS, you need to be a member in good standing, and abide by MLS rules.

So, unless you're a Realtor, or unless you've hired a real estate agency, you can't list on the MLS.

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Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty

Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS

601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

Realtors pay hefty fees to be members of their local MLS. I was doing some housekeeping the other day (imagine that!) and came across my "initiation fee". Let's just say it should be framed and edged in gold.

Jan 29, 2016 07:19 AM

Alan May

it ain't cheap.

Jan 29, 2016 08:09 AM

Judith Sinnard

SMARTePLANS; Houston, Texas - Houston, TX

The SMARTePLAN Lady

Houston has a public-facing MLS ... so you don't have to be an agent to view the properties, but of course you do need to be a licensed agent (who is up to date on their membership dues to HAR.com) in order to list properties. Do the majority of MLS's in the USA keep property views private -- agents only -- with no public views?

Jan 29, 2016 07:55 AM

Alan May

the Chicago area has a public-facing version, too. But it's not the same as the private version. As you can imagine, there is some private information on the Realtor-version... such as lockbox codes, homeowner's names and contact information, etc...

And, yes, most MLS are private - agents only... many allow uploads to public viewable sites... such as Trulia & Zillow...but they are limited versions.

Jan 29, 2016 08:10 AM

Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner

Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA

Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

I think consumers think it's a simple thing to get on the MLS.

Jan 29, 2016 08:36 AM

Alan May

I think consumers think it's not only simple... they have a "right" to be on the MLS.

Jan 29, 2016 08:54 AM

William Feela

WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN

Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

So many peole think the MLS is free.

When I explain it most...MOST get it

Jan 29, 2016 08:48 AM

Alan May

Most are smart.

Jan 29, 2016 08:54 AM

FN LN

Toronto, ON

Alan - The same applies in Canada as well. The public cannot put their own property on the MLS. It must be done via a REALTOR..

Jan 29, 2016 09:34 AM

Alan May

yeah... but you guys have a national MLS... great idea.

Jan 29, 2016 09:46 AM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Alan, with all of the limited service brokerages out there, a seller can get on the local MLS without paying much money.

Jan 29, 2016 12:13 PM

Alan May

true... there are plenty of flat-fee services that will put you on the MLS for a minimal amount. But technically, they are members of the MLS.

Jan 29, 2016 10:25 PM

Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807

HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ

Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Alan - The MLS is not cheap, and there is a reason why only agents can post listings on it. I am sure many people do not realize that we have to pay to use it, yet we share most of the information on it for free through our IDX.

Jan 29, 2016 02:52 PM

Alan May

I think most consumers don't realize that there is a cost to posting on the MLS.

Jan 29, 2016 10:27 PM

Bill Roberts

Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA

"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

Well Alan May I think you may be wrong on this one. Back when I started in real estate (1975) all MLSes were the private property of the real estate boards that controlled them. Then they got sued for restraint of trade and were forced to "open" their service to anyone. Of course it is NOT FREE, but you don't have to be a member of a board of realtors to participate.

Bill Roberts

Jan 29, 2016 09:29 PM

Alan May

They're still private property, but they've been forced to open the system to flat-fee services, and share information. But you do still have to be a member of the board to post a listing.

Even the flat-fee services have to be a member of the board in order to post a listing.

Jan 29, 2016 10:28 PM

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist

KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA

Probate Real Estate Services

Alan, there you have it. Membership has its privileges. I nearly black out when I think of the prospect of anyone being able to list homes on our local MLS.

Jan 30, 2016 07:06 AM

Alan May

Membership has its privileges... and there you have it.

Jan 30, 2016 07:38 AM

Noah Seidenberg

Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL

Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

I will tell you what really pisses me off now Alan, Zillow now allows individuals to list their property as a FSBO for a fee.

Jan 30, 2016 12:40 PM

Alan May

Really? I wasn't aware of that. I know they allow "rentals".. I wasn't aware they allow for-sale listings.

Jan 30, 2016 09:42 PM

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT

Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Out statewide MLS system has a direct access to the public for viewing only with addresses but no agencies noted. The Big Z would like to be able to get access just to get better control of the market for their money stealing ways.

Jan 30, 2016 10:21 PM

Alan May

So your statewide MLS doesn't share with Zillow or Trulia?

Jan 30, 2016 10:24 PM

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

They do share, but it is still through an agent. Z will allow individuals to put up their own sales sand rentals

Jan 31, 2016 09:53 PM

Steve Ewing - Keller Williams Realty

Keller Williams - Stockton, CA

Hi Alan. I have heard that the information we put into the MLS is aggregated and sold to other orginazations, who then use that information to find to find leads that are then offered to us for a sum of money. That makes it expensive twice...

Feb 01, 2016 08:44 AM

Alan May

it is bothersome to have to "buy back" our own information... isn't it?

Feb 01, 2016 08:52 AM