MLS® stands for Multiple Listing Service®, a valuable system of Real Estate information that includes; "Listings" - properties available for sale, and "Sales" - properties that have sold, as well as many other features the REALTOR® relies on to trade in Real Estate. This computerized information is housed at a Real Estate Association and is accessible by all its members. REALTORS® who work in Barrie and surrounding areas belong to the "Barrie and District Association of REALTORS® Inc.". The "Association" consists of brokerage offices, and each office has individual REALTORS® who make up the membership.

REALTORS® co-operate together to find, show, and sell property via the MLS® system. It is certainly in your best interest to heed the services of a REALTOR® who has access to this powerful tool. As a seller you will tap into all the buyers that REALTORS® are working with which gives you the widest and highest opportunity for home exposure. As a buyer you will have all the homes that meet your criteria available at the REALTOR'S® fingertips. Could you possibly find an easier way to locate your next home?

It is almost unthinkable how the process of buying and selling homes would change if the MLS® system did not exist. REALTORS® would certainly have to rely heavily on newspaper advertising, open houses, and "for sale" signs to attract calls from would-be buyers for their sellers. Many REALTORS® do continue to support these methods, but it is the MLS® system that truly does the legwork to find buyers for properties and to get homes sold.

Listings are homes currently available for sale. REALTORS® have access to all the listings with all the different brokerages via the MLS® system. This accessibility allows REALTORS® to co-operate together to show and sell property. The details of these homes are categorized and are part of a large database system. Like most databases you can make queries to filter out the homes that meet your needs. For instance, if you are looking for a three bedroom property, with a double garage, under 10 years of age, and between $220,000 - $250,000, then the REALTOR® inputs the parameters into the system and instantly all the listings that fall into your criteria appear. The more details you add to the search the more you zero-in on your dream home. In other words, the database..., which contains hundreds of listings, can be narrowed down to your specific needs within minutes of talking to a REALTOR®.

Buying a house is probably the most involved and expensive purchase you'll ever make, not to mention the emotion you'll have in choosing a property that you want to call "home". It's an interesting note though, that most people will seek the help of a doctor for a medical problem, or that of a lawyer for a legal issue, but still wish to find their own home without the benefit of a professional. REALTORS® work the business every day, and are consistently attending seminars and taking courses to keep on top of the ever-changing market. Not only can a REALTOR® find your next home, but he can also enlighten you on the many issues you should be concerned about. Home inspections, surveys, mortgaging, agency, and closing costs; such as land transfer tax, are just a few.

Unlike purchasing other commodities where you are left to do your own legwork and investigation, be-it a television, stereo system or the like, buying a home offers you a much better way to find what you're looking for quickly and efficiently. REALTORS® pay considerable fees for the use of their MLS® system to help serve you better. And although the Canada-wide Internet site www.realtor.ca exists, it is really just a good site with a limited search-engine for the curious buyer to browse. Whereas, the local MLS® system that REALTORS® have access to, is a much more powerful way to locate your dream home, obtain the most current listings, the most up-to-date information, and is the best source for the newest opportunities without delay.

Don't miss the home you weren't aware of. Not every property is advertised regularly, some listings don't have a "for sale" sign on the front yard, and the information on www.realtor.ca is not as current as you might think. If these are the avenues you're using to find a home then you're limiting yourself. REALTORS® have access to the most recent properties because the MLS® system is in place. If you put faith and trust into the equation you'll eventually find the right home for you.

Buyer Benefits

When you decide to sell your home through the MLS® System it happens in two stages, "list" and "buy". You get your home "listed" by providing the details to a REALTOR® who submits them to the "Association". This REALTOR® is now known as the "seller's representative" who will help you with the negotiations of your sale. The "buying" stage begins when the details of your home are exposed to all the members of the "Association", a network of over 700 REALTORS®. This is extremely beneficial because it's the co-operation of these members that will get your home sold. If another REALTOR® is working with a buyer that may be interested in seeing your home then a viewing appointment is arranged. This REALTOR® is known as the "buyer's representative". These "showings" may occur many times with many different REALTORS® before the right purchaser makes an offer. When an offer does come along, the selling and buying representatives assist you in negotiating the transaction.

It's a fact that 95% of homes sold via the MLS® system involve two REALTORS®; the member who "listed" your home, and the member who represented the buyer. Therefore, this is a very effective structure, which is a critical asset in order to get the wide exposure you're looking for.

It's important to understand where buyers come from, and it's important to choose a REALTOR® who has a marketing plan in place that not only promotes your home 24 hours a day, but also is linked with this valuable resource; the MLS® System. Would you agree that working with someone you can relate to, trust, and feel comfortable with is also an important consideration? This type of relationship should get you the highest and best price, in the least amount of time, and with the least amount of hassle.

Seller Benefits