The Multiple Listing Service is a database of property for sale or rent in Naples, Fort Myers, or any other town in the U.S..  It is maintained by real estate agents in that area for homebuyers to investigate what is available on the market at the time.

As a seller, using the MLs gives you unprecedented exposure for your property.  The details can be seen by more people in more places than ever before.  This vastly increases the chances of it being sold.  As a buyer, you can access more properties than you could before, including photographs, and information about the property.

The database also lets you sort and search by criteria so you can tailor your buying experience to those properties that tick all the boxes.  That means less wasted time, and the chances of you getting exactly what you want increases exponentially.

Many multiple listing services also add neighborhood information, demographics, crime rates, school details and other important facts.  Some will even go as far as telling you how much the property should be worth compared to others in the area.  All this information can assist buyers in selecting the appropriate property, neighborhood and town that will best suit their needs.  Knowing details in advance like potential taxes, utility charges and other details can help with budgeting and give buyers a much clearer picture of the affordability of a particular property.

Finding a home used to take a lot of legwork.  Either trawling the streets looking for signs, visiting realtors offices or sifting through local papers.  This could work out quite time consuming, especially if you’re planning on moving to a different area.  The multiple listing service now provides all this information, literally at your fingertips.  You can access up to the minute information about your chosen area, the properties available and the average prices.

This is a great advantage in a competitive market.  It allows you to get the jump on other prospective buyers if you see it first, and can move quickly.  No more waiting for the advert to appear in windows, or the newspaper.  If you monitor the MLS effectively you will see the inventory change day by day, increasing the chances of you finding your dream home.

The data on the multiple listing service is covered by the same laws and trade association rules as any other realtor information.  If has to be accurate, up to date and not misleading in any way.  The MLS itself is overseen by the National Association of Realtors, who police the database and ensure that it is being used properly and that the best possible service is being provided to clients, both buyers and sellers.

The multiple listing service has not only speeded the home buying and selling process, it has also made it much more enjoyable.  By being able to investigate properties, buyers are able to target the most likely candidates without having to sort the wheat from the chaff.  Sellers are able to increase their exposure, and get their property seen by many more people than was previously possible.