MLS emails and agent relations

[Cosette Trantow]

Happy Wednesday everyone!

I hear all the time that you should find an agent and have them set you up for automatic emails from the MLS so you can practice analyzing. I'm wondering if this forces a relationship with that agent. Like, are you making a promise to them to use them when you're ready to by your property?

I have a friend who’s an agent who may be willing to set me up with emails, but I know that I won’t be using her as my agent because she has no experience as an agent for investments and many things she’s said about the market and what I should buy indicate that she wouldn’t be a good fit for me. Therefore, I don’t want her to feel like I am planning on doing this together so I haven’t asked her to hook me up with emails. Same goes for acquaintances I have. I don’t want to be making any unspoken promises. 

How do y’all feel about asking an agent to do this for you? Agents out there, do you have any thoughts? I’d like to get the automatic emails but don’t want to upset anyone either. 

Thank you for your help everyone. Have a successful day!

[Charlie MacPherson]

@Cosette Trantow Assuming that AZ MLS is roughly the same as MA/ME MLS, I can tell you that an actual MLS feed is not only more accurate than using data-scrapers like Zillow and Trulia, but you'll get listings about a day faster.

In a very hot market like we have here in eastern MA, that 1 day jump might make the difference between getting an offer in ahead of the crowd and competing with the crowd.

Our system will email our clients within 15 minutes of a new listing hitting the market.  Zillow finds out tomorrow.

If I can get a client in right away - and BEFORE the open house - we can submit an offer on the spot with a 6 hour expiration.  We can beat the open house and get the property under contract before the Zillowites even know it's for sale.

As to your friend, you have a problem.  If you're not going to use her, you have to address it with her.  I can tell you from experience that it really hurts when a friend doesn't use me for their real estate needs.  You'l have to deal with that.  

If she's really not experienced enough,  you might see if her broker will step in to oversee your search.  Preserve the relationship and get the same job done.

I'm of the opinion that good relationships are worth preserving.  There will always be another property.  There won't always be another friend.