When a client contacted me yesterday for more information about a property he found on Zillow I pulled it up in the MLS... only to find it had sold last summer! The number one reason you should have your Realtor set up a search for you directly from the MLS is accuracy of information.
Searches directly from the MLS (NOT the same as MLSOnline!) also will let you know if an active listing is sold subject to a contingency, such as inspection (A,i) or third party bank approval of a short sale (A,s)... as well as the number of days it has been on the market (DOM). These searches MUST be set up by a Realtor, the only ones who have direct access. It is NOT the same as MLSOnline, which is a real estate brokerage like RE/MAX or Edina Realty or Coldwell Banker, etc.
I had some buyers come through my open house yesterday who were frustrated that by the time they learned about a listing it was already sold. If you wait for it to appear on Zillow or Trulia it may have already been on the market a day or two. Your Twin Cities Realtor can set up a search for you that automatically searches continuously and will send you an email as soon as a there is a price change or new listing hits the market meeting your search criteria.
Some real estate brokerages, such as Edina Realty, do not send their listings to non-brokerage search engines such as Zillow, Trulia and Yahoo... only agents who contract with those sites themselves have their listings available there. That means you could be missing out on ever seeing some listings if you rely only on those sites.
The MLS also has supplements with additional information you won't find at other sites... supplements such as Seller's Disclosure Statements, city Truth-in-Housing reports, and the information below from a couple recent listings of mine...
- 13700 Candice Lane, Eden Prairie
- From the seller, updates, about Eden Prairie
- Video tour
- 2820 Victory Memorial Drive, Minneapolis
- Renovations
- Things to like about living on the parkway
- Video tour
Your Realtor should be happy to set up a search for you. That doesn't mean you should stop looking at other sites, they do have useful information... just don't rely solely on those sites.
I would be happy to set up a Twin Cities MLS search for you... just email me or text me at 612-419-0560!
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Minneapolis Buyer's Agent
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