2007-10-04 15:45:58 · 9 answers · asked by Molly Weasley 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
mls.com
that is the site that most Realtors register their props on.
2007-10-04 15:48:32 · answer #1 · answered by mishle 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Very briefly, www.mls.com for US and www.mls.ca for canada.
Both of these sites update their data roughly 2-3 days after the listings are posted by the agents. So if you want to get the jump on other potential buyers, you will want to ask an agent to set you up to get real estate listings by email that match your search criteria. This data will be totally up to date.
You are NOT under any obligation to the realtor for getting this service, but they will try to get you to sign a buyer agency agreement. You do not have to sign it.
If the whole process is overwhelming for you (when buying, lawyers, title searches, inspections, etc.) then take your time and find an agent you have a good sense about.
BUT - if you decide you want to buy privately (no buying agent) - even with a house on the MLS, you should be able to negotiate a better buying price since the seller would only have to pay his listing agent's commission (2.5-3%) as opposed the the commission of the listing agent (seller) PLUS the buying agent (buyer) which would be a full 5-6%.
In the meantime you can get a 'first' look at listings without working with any agent at all.
Try googling "just listed your city" and choose from the many options that will come up.
Happy Hunting!
2007-10-04 23:00:15 · answer #2 · answered by ceebee_toronto 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Any of the ones that get their data directly from the local MLS. This includes realtor.com, and lots of chain and agent websites.
Local MLS is policed. When I'm out looking at property, and it isn't as advertised in MLS, I can report the agent who put it in, easily and trivially. The complaint will be investigated and dealt with. It doesn't take many violations before they lose posting privileges and might as well be out of business, so as soon as they learn there are consequences for misrepresenting property, they stop. Furthermore, the stuff based on local MLS should have pretty much all the current listings.
The sites that aren't based on MLS - let's just say I have a talk with my clients about getting their hopes up based on information in those sites. I had a client call me today with four properties off one of the unverified sites. Three were fake entries fishing for clients, the fourth was nothing like it was represented to be.
With all of that said, it's a really good idea to work with a buyer's agent. The only difference if you don't, from the seller's viewpoint, is that the listing agent gets to keep the part of the commission that would have gone to the buyer's agent, and the listing agent is responsible to the seller, not to you. Dual Agency is a good way for the buyer to get completely hosed.
Here's an article about that
http://www.danmelson.com/2007/01/buyers-who-dont-want-a-buyers.html
2007-10-04 23:57:54 · answer #3 · answered by Searchlight Crusade 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of the sites mentioned here are great for searching For Sale listings. If you want to more research about a specific home that you find online, I suggest using my company's website www.zillow.com. We have a database of more than 70 millions were you can search information such as that on public record. We also have a great Real Estate guide with all sorts of articles about the real estate buying process.
2007-10-08 15:48:40 · answer #4 · answered by sjbonert 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like http://www.realtor.com because you can be real specific about your criteria - and they show EVERY listing that is every MLS system, all over the U.S.A.
Plus, that site has lots of good information for Buyers (and Sellers, too).
And, they have an international component now - http://www.WorldProperties.com in case you are looking for a little bungalow in Spain.
Good luck and best wishes.
2007-10-04 22:55:51 · answer #5 · answered by venicefloridarealtor 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're not selling, going to a real estate agent and having access to the MLS is going to be your best bet.
Even if you spend a looong time on Remax, the MLS database will be your best luck and you have the best access through an agent.
If you're just buying, an agent costs you nothing.
2007-10-04 22:47:59 · answer #6 · answered by FaZizzle 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you are searching in illlinois or any of its bordering states you can do a property search from my website www.Thomas2Sell.com
If you are in another state I suggest
www.ColdwellBanker.com
www.Realtor.com
2007-10-04 23:12:55 · answer #7 · answered by young2bballin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
www.ziprealty.com and then prudential realty.com, on Prudential realty you can save listings and when they are sold you can find out what they sold for.
Good luck!
2007-10-04 22:49:27 · answer #8 · answered by New England Babe 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your local MLS.
In houston, its www.har.com
2007-10-04 22:47:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋