Anyone interested in the real estate market has heard the term MLS®. But few know exactly what MLS® is, or understand the important role it plays in the real estate industry.

Also known as the Multiple Listing Service® , MLS® is a computer based marketing network created by REALTORS® to help the public buy and sell homes. It is a member based service, paid for by the members of the local real estate Board. The MLS® trademark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS®

The MLS® service makes the real estate industry unique by encouraging a high degree of cooperation between all REALTORS® no matter which company they work for. If you are buying or selling a property, the MLS® system is a valuable research tool for your REALTOR®.

Benefits to Sellers
If you are selling a property, listing with a REALTOR® who uses the MLS® service means your
property gets maximum marketing exposure to all other members of the local Board. You'll have REALTORS® everywhere trying to find a buyer for your property. It is the MLS® computer system that will provide other members of the real estate Board with detailed information about your property. It is the MLS® computer system that will provide other members of the real estate Board with detailed information about your property. Your property gains more exposure, because it reaches the majority of the real estate professionals in your community. The greater the exposure your home receives, the more likely you are to find a buyer willing to pay your price.

Benefits to Buyers
Your REALTOR® inputs your desired criteria and generates a list of all properties that meet your needs. These homes might be listed by other REALTORS® - to your REALTOR®, it doesn't matter. Their goal is to help you find the property you want. The MLS® system supplements your REALTORS® knowledge of the area and current market conditions to help you make a wise buying decision.


Agent MLS® vs. Public MLS®

Agents
Whether you're buying or selling, the MLS® system is an indispensable tool for your REALTOR®.
It provides REALTORS® with access to much more detailed information than you'll find on the mls.ca web site. Information will include room-by-room measurements and specifics on the property condition, renovations, property zoning and rental rates. Through the system, REALTORS® can also access the sales history of a home in order to see how many times it has changed hands and at what prices.

Public (www.realtor.ca)
The www.mls.ca web site is one of Canada's most popular internet research tools for residential real estate. It is a public site, so anyone with access to a computer – buyers, sellers, or the “just curious” – can view property listings at any time. Every month, an average of 2 million unique visitors visit the English and French versions of the www.mls.ca web site. It does not display all of the listing information associated with a property in the local real estate Board's database. Rather, the web site is an advertising vehicle that helps REALTORS® market a property to literally a world wide market. The information provided is basic listing description, photographs, and contact information. This information is updated once every 24 hours with information provided by the local Boards and Associations.