MLS access: Which state course to take?

[Dustin R.]

This is my very first post on BiggerPockets. I'm extremely excited to have found this site because it seems to be an invaluable resource for people wanting to learn.

Through reading and listening to every podcast on iTunes I have come to the conclusion that it is a good idea for just about anyone to find a way to get access to the MLS. While I'm not interested in working as an agent, I have decided to take an online course to get my salesperson license, then hopefully find a broker willing to hang my license. However, before I enroll in the course I'd like to have a few of my questions answered.

I live in Long Island, NY but the market that I'm interested in as an investor is western PA. I understand that PA and NY have a reciprocal agreement but I'm not sure how to go about this. Here are my questions:

1) If I were to take the NY state test, would I then have to take the PA test in order to have a license in both states?

2) Do I have to live in a state in order to find a broker willing to hang my license?

3) If I get broker affiliated with a NY broker, would I have access to MLS listings in western PA?

Surely someone on BiggerPockets has been in a similar situation so hopefully there is an easy answer to all of my questions. Thank you all in advance for your replies!

[JOAN DICKIE]

I don't know the rules in either state, so I would check with brokers from each state and ask them these questions. You will probably have to find a broker with a brokers license in both states if you legally can't get your own brokers license right away.

1. If there is a reciprocal agreement between the two states, you may not need to take two tests. If you don't have to take 2 tests, I would recommend taking the test in the state you will be doing the most business in. That way you have more knowledge.

2. You can be typically licensed in any state without living in it. I live in Wisconsin, and I have a Minnesota license. It's best to check with each states licensing law though.

3. You will have to interview brokers. You will more than likely have to find a NY broker that belongs to a PA realtors board in order to get MLS access. That is how Realtors board maintain their monopolies - requiring you to belong.

Good luck and interview prospective brokers carefully.