MLS (Multiple Listing Service)
Defined for Florida Builders
September 17, 2007Builder's ADDvantage™ doesn't feel the need to define the “MLS” for Florida builders! But, what we would like to articulate is a builder's superior “MLS EXPERIENCE.” In our book, quality of service, state of the art software, as well as exposure derived via additional sources such as realtor.com, homes.com and international marketing campaigns are what constitute the best possible experience for builders. Builder's ADDvantage™ offers all of this plus unbeatable wholesale pricing.
It's not a “given” that all Florida flat fee multiple listing service companies will offer proper placement. Builders, when listing your new homes and developments for sale flat fee in the MLS, the focus should be whether you can list rapidly, with accuracy and ease. Regardless of what city or county you're building and selling homes in, Builder's ADDvantage™ will always list your properties with the correct MLS board. Florida builders from Tampa, (Hillsborough County) to Miami (Dade County) must be able to bulk list their inventory quickly and with a respected real estate service company, to gain crucial exposure.
If you list with an inexperienced company, or a company who doesn't belong to the proper boards, you may find that you've wasted your time, money and energy. We promise to list your homes with the correct real estate board… every time. members of 24 boards with reciprocal rights to others, Builder's ADDvantage™ will not only list your new homes and developments in the correct local board but, we'll assure you that if we don't belong to the board needed to list you right— then we'll join that board to accommodate your needs.
Some of the builders that spoke with us conceded that Realtor® calls were often misdirected. The truth is that, many have known that buyer and Realtor® calls weren't always treated as “high priority.” Another good point one builder made was that, he works a five day work week and was totally maxed out by the weekends. He said that evening and weekend calls are handled by a skeleton staff or an answering service. Admitting to dropping a couple of leads in the most recent past in addition to having knowledge of repeat miscommunication of showing instructions, he was simply unaware of an alternative solution to retaining more leads. He thought all flat fee MLS companies offered the same thing…until we explained his options with Builder's ADDvantage™.
Now that you recognize the importance of choosing the right company to list your homes flat fee in the MLS, if you would like additional information about how the Florida MLS works, please scroll down to view the article, “What is the MLS.” Builders…it's all about you and your sales success. When you list flat fee MLS with Builder's ADDvantage™ you'll get more than a simple listing in the MLS. We guarantee that you'll get an enhanced “listing experience,” from a company that cares.
What is the MLS? (Multiple Listing Service)
Builder's ADDvantage™ offers simple solutions for managing all incoming calls, seven days a week. We will coordinate all showings with you and potential buyers or Realtors® and we will document all buyer leads and forward them to you. Facilitating buyers' and Realtors'® requests for information are no longer a concern when you choose Agent Assure. Our flat fee MLS covers this and many aspects of lead retention. Never misdirect a potential buyer or Realtor® inquiry and never wonder if a lead has been misdirected.
The MLS is a proprietary electronic database that contains every residential home, vacant land and commercial property listed by Realtors® for sale or lease within a geographical area. Created by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), the MLS is the most widely used source of properties for sale by Realtors® in the United States. The MLS combines all Realtor®-listed properties in one database within a large geographic area. There are around 67 different MLS systems throughout Florida. Realtors® are members of a local Board and pay an annual fee which allows them to access their local MLS. The MLS contains detailed information on the properties it lists, records of all recent closed sales and their sales prices as well as property tax information. With this information, Realtors® are able to generate comparable analyses of properties and custom searches by any criteria. The MLS also provides a platform for Realtors® to state the listed properties' commission participation to other Realtors®. This is why you do not typically see For-Sale-By-Owner (FSBO) properties listed in the MLS. Additionally, many Realtors® do not approach FSBOs because there is no stated commission agreement. MLS ADDvantage™ bridges that gap between Realtors® and FSBOs.
MLS - How It Works:
- The MLS is not one big database of all Florida properties. There are around 30 separate MLS databases in Florida.
- Each MLS covers a specific geographic area. Some MLS databases overlap areas. For example, Navarre, FL is included in the Pensacola MLS and the Emerald Coast MLS.
- Some Realtor® boards share data or “reciprocate” with each other. For example, Hernando County reciprocates with W. Pasco. Members of either board have the passwords to access each other's MLS and search listings.
- Some Realtors® pay to belong to “MLS Advantage” (not to be confused with our “MLS ADDvantage”) which gives them the ability to search listings for all participating boards. Approximately 18 boards participate in MLS Advantage.
- Sellers need to be listed in an appropriate local board where MLS data will be seen by the local Realtors® in that area. For example, it would do a seller in Miami little good to be listed in the NE Florida MLS.
Realtor.com, unlike the MLS, is one big database of properties—not only for Florida, but for the entire US. Data on Realtor.com comes directly from all of the MLS databases. It is not as extensive as what the Realtors® see but it does give buyers a way to search properties in a limited way.
