If MLS gives access to real estate agents and other related trades, such as appraisers, how about investors?

Question

Do MLS give access to real estate investors as well? How much do MLS charge for yearly access? I just need rough idea.

Answer 1

You will not gain access to the MLS without a specific licensure which requires such access. MLS access is restricted to those who have a licensure need to have access.

If you wish to gain MLS access, you will have to obtain a real estate license and pay for access. My particular MLS charges an 'entrance fee" of about $1100, plus an annual fee of about $425, plus a monthly technology fee of about $70.

The first two respondents are correct in their answers. However, without MLS access, you will not gain the proprietary information contained in the MLS. However, most of the actual PROPERTY related information will be available on Realtor.com and similar.

Answer 2

Not quite: Real estate agents are not stock brokers, and their buying or selling of a property does not affect the value of the a company for other stockholders or manipulate the market to give a false idea of the worth of a company, which is what insider trading laws is designed to curtail. Yep, they have first shot at properties. No doubt about it. That's why a lot of investors choose to get their license, to be able to plug into the network. But keep in mind that a LOT of "flips" are never on MLS in the first place, as they are immient foreclosures, abandoned properties, etc. Very few properties get listed on MLS waaay under value, if an agent has been doing their homework on comparables, etc. Also, an investor would be wise to make friends with a reputable agent who CAN be on the lookout for property that meets their client's criteria. Many, many agents don't have the desire or ability to make a flip work -- they'd much rather pocket the commission on several houses for the same client! The only time it gets ethically shady is if an agent representing a client suddenly decides to buy that client's property. As it is impossible for the agent to be unbiased in such a transaction, an ethical agent would refer their client to another listing agent, an agent that will look out for the client's best interests.

Answer 3

You don't need to pay anything to get online access to the MLS. You can go to the local or regional MLS system, depending on where you live or where you want to invest, and view the properties. That's how my husband and I found the house we bought. You can also go to realtor.com, remax.com, century21.com and from there you will access the MLS.

Answer 4

I doubt that you can get access to the MLS but call the local Board of Realtors and ask. If you go to www.realtor.com you should be able to find all the properties that are in the MLS.