Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Explained

In the United States, Multiple Listing Services originated in the 1950's to allow real estate brokers to work together without having to negotiate separate commission agreements before showing each other's listings. The MLS is to Realtors what the New Stock Exchange is to Stock Brokers and allows people looking to purchase a home to work with a single real estate agent and still have access to properties represented by all real estate brokers in the area. In North America, there are over 900 Multiple Listing Services, most of which are operated by local real estate broker boards and generally governed by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) which is the major real estate professionals trade organization representing over 1,000,000 realtors in the United States and Canada. Most MLSs provide the public with ability to search for properties; however access is usually limited to properties currently for sale. Combined public access to MLSs governed by the National Association of Realtors is also available through their web site www.realtor.org. In addition, the following Southern California MLSs provide public access:

• CLAW MLS - Greater Los Angeles Metro Area
• I-TECH MLS Foothill Communities of the San Gabriel Valley
• MRMLS Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley
  • Arcadia Association of REALTORS
  • Citrus Valley Association of -REALTORS
  • Corona-Norco Association of REALTORS
  • East Valley Association of REALTORS
  • Inland Valleys Association of REALTORS
  • Montebello District Board of REALTORS
  • Redlands Association of REALTORS
  • Southwest Riverside County Association of REALTORS
  • Tri-Counties Association of REALTORS
  • West San Gabriel Valley Association of REALTORS
  • Yucaipa Valley Association of REALTORS
• California Desert MLS
  • Palm Springs Association of REALTORS
  • California Desert Association of REALTORS

The Future of the of the MLS

According to a recent National Association of Realtors article entitled What's next for the MLS?, there is a consensus of many real estate professionals that there is a need for the nearly 900 MLSs nationwide to consolidate further. Already eleven Inland Empire and San Gabriel Valley Association of Realtors organizations have contracted with the Multi-Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. to provide centralized MLS services for their members and this trend is growing.

While the MLS today is primarily a tool for real estate brokers and agents, the Internet is driving real estate search services to be more consumer focused with many news players in the marketplace such as Google, Yahoo!, Zillow.com, and Craigslist who are providing additional and alternative options for helping you do online searching of properties for sale.