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The MLS is a Powerful Tool

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Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

The MLS is a Powerful Tool

Any top producing real estate agent knows how to do quick investigations using the MLS.  Early on in my career when I would sit as the floor agent in the office, I would get callers with not nearly enough information on properties wanting more information.  I quickly learned how to do map searches, searches based on street names, our office inventory and even brokerage names.  (It was odd how many buyers would end up calling our office for other brokerages listings.  Getting them to describe the sign out front would help.

Of course, not every investigation has had to do with a property for sale.  Not too long ago, an agent in our office was visiting a friend several counties away and feel down a flight of stairs.  Another friend of hers and I in the office were trying to determine which hospital the ambulance would have taken her to from where her friend lived.  All we knew is the county in which he purchased, the year he purchased, the lake near the property, the first name of the agent that sold it to him and how our friend had described the property (being an apartment on top of a garage.)  Within ten minutes of combing sold listings, we had found her friend's address and then were able to determine the hospital she was taken to.  The MLS comes in handy!

Tonight, the MLS and yours truly, Top Producing Bristow Real Estate Agent extraordinaire, used the MLS to make sure an HOA vote was counted.  As part of my volunteer effforts in my community, where I also farm, I am part of the elections committee for the HOA.  When I showed up to count ballots tonight, the manager showed me a ballot they were throwing out because they couldn't make out the name or address.  I looked at the name an instantly recognized it.  A quick MLS search revealed that the home owner had put in her primary reesidence address in teh proxy form, not the property she owned in our neighborhood.  The on-site manager was able to verify her address in our neigborhood, and from there, her name. 

If these are the skills I can use in my spare time, imagine what I can do to help find your dream home?  Or help you sell?  Give me a call and let's get started.  

 

Comments(4)

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Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I applaud your ingenuity and using your MLS to its fullest =]

Happy Wednesday evening Chris Ann Cleland 

Dec 02, 2020 03:50 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

It's the only crap detector I can use to PROVE something.

Dec 02, 2020 06:56 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Chris Ann - I have always felt the mls description is another silent salesperson for a property for sale.  It should be interesting yet offer detailed information.  A seller should review the information as well as the photos that will not only be shared with other agents but countless sets of other eyes - perhaps a prospective property buyer.  

Dec 02, 2020 05:10 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

That's the prescribed use of the MLS.  I am into off-label uses.  😉

Dec 02, 2020 06:58 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Chris Ann- now that's using your head!!!!  Hope your friend who fell down the stairs is ok. I would never have thought to use the MLS this way. 

Dec 02, 2020 06:14 PM
Chris Ann Cleland

We didn't have her friend's number and she had called with a brief message that she was in a hospital, but didn't know where.  She is recovering.  Couldn't drive for a while.  

Dec 02, 2020 06:57 PM
Realtyna Inc
Realtyna - Newark, DE
WordPress Real Estate - IDX, RESO Web API, CRM

Hi Chris Ann, that is clever! Any agent can access the MLS. The truly exceptional ones mine its data for new insights.

Dec 03, 2020 03:11 AM
Chris Ann Cleland

Learning how to use it all those years ago on floor duty, on the fly, were lessons that will forever pay dividends.

Dec 03, 2020 02:10 PM