For those readers that don't know, MLS stands for multiple listing service. Click on the link for more information. The MLS is the place that all agents go when they do a property search for a client. This is our number one tool for property information. It's very important for your agent to make a good MLS presentation.
I work really hard for my sellers. I spend a lot of time talking with them to see what home features they feel are important, and of course as an agent, I have my own idea of what features need to be marketed to get the house sold. Sometimes you just have to trust your agent on this one. Regardless you want to make sure the MLS listing has an accurate and good description of your home that will help get it sold. The description is one of the things you want to check with your MLS listing.
There is a process to getting your home on the market. There's the paperwork, and the marketing preparation which includes photographing the property. All of this has to happen before you can get your property on the MLS and out there for other agents and buyers to see. One of my pet peeves is dark, blurry or otherwise questionable photos. In this day and age of digital photography, there is no excuse for bad pictures.
You also want to make sure your agent has enough photographs to really show off your property.
After the listing paperwork is signed and the photos are taken, it's time to get the property listing in the MLS. This takes time, and I want to make sure I have accurate information, and a great description of the house and property. You want to make sure your agent does, too. That's why you want to see a copy of the MLS listing.
When that process is completed, I have another person proofread what I've written. I have several pet peeves with MLS listings, and one of them is typos. I want to make sure the property presentation is professional, and typos aren't professional.
After proofreading the property is then submitted and entered into our local MLS. Then I send a copy of the listing to my sellers. That way they can double check the information, and the pictures.
As a seller you have every right to ask your agent for a copy of the MLS listing. This isn't some secret device that agents use and keep for themselves.
Here's are some of the things you want to look for:
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Check the pictures. Do they market the house and property well? Are they good quality pictures?
- Are the directions easy to follow?
- As I mentioned earlier...check for typos and any other property errors.
- Are the measurements correct? Are the room counts accurate?
- How well does the property description describe your property?
- Does the mapping feature (if the MLS has one) accurately show where the property is located?
- Is the price correct? It doesn't happen very often, but I have seen misprints with the price. How about $1,900,000 instead of $190,000.
Knowing what I know now...I would want to see a copy of the MLS listing an agent has completed for my property. If you aren't happy with what you see...ask your agent to make changes and send you a revised copy.
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