My MLS Website Stinks! What am I missing here?

Question

So I'm in the Washington D.C. area and have MLS access through my real estate agent's site, listingbook.com and frankly, I think it's lousy.  I'm very aware that common consensus is that the MLS beats other websites, but I still much prefer doing my work on sites like Redfin or Trulia.  Am I crazy here for not using my MLS site?

I understand that the MLS is going to have more accurate information (an obvious plus :) ), but this particular site doesn't have a lot of the features that I appreciate elsewhere (school ratings, easier map navigation, ability to set up multiple saved searches/alerts).

So here are my questions:

1. Am I crazy?

2. Are there different MLS tools out there that vary in quality?

3. What determines which tool you can use? If there is a great MLS tool out there, how can I get access to it?

Bryan L. · Answer

@Matt Vaughn  That's why I encourage most Newbies to go ahead and become a Realtor.  What you are working with is not the full MLS.  For example, in my MLS I can search for vacant properties.  But you can probably see why the general public version of the MLS will not allow one to do that.  But still, your MLS will probably not have "school rating info".

Robert Williams · Answer

Hey Matt,

The first thing that I'd say is that the tool you're using is not the MLS, it's a company that buys data from the MLS and then displays it for consumers.

If your choice is between Redfin and the local MLS (which is called MRIS in the DC area), then the MLS will have a slight advantage just based on the sheer amount of data that's available for any given property.  If your choice is between a service that buys it's data from the MLS (which includes both Redfin and Listingbook) then I'd say use whichever one you like better.  Redfin buys its data directly from the MLS and the information is pretty darn accurate (unlike Zillow and Trulia whose data is hopefully out of date and unreliable).

I'm not aware of any tool that gives you direct MRIS access (but I also haven't been looking for one).

Wayne Brooks · Answer

You probably have "customer" access, not full agent access.  The IDX systems for customers works the same way.

Karen Margrave · Answer

@Matt Vaughn  Brokers and agents get confidential information from their clients that might be shared with other agents and brokers, but they do not want made public, and that's why there are rules governing MLS access. Any reputable agent/broker won't allow clients access to their MLS accounts. In most places there are fines for doing so.

If you are looking for listings or comps, your agent can set up a search for you and have them emailed. to you automatically

If you want to be able to access all the areas of MLS and see brokers comments, etc.,you should get your license and join the local board.

Robert Williams · Answer

DC allows MLS access for the following unlicensed categories:  real estate assistants, office secretaries, administrative personnel.  If your real estate agent can make a case that you work for him in one of the above capacities, then he can sign you up for MRIS.  The MRIS subscription fee is $295 plus $165/quarter.

J Scott · Answer

In some states (some MLS') it's allowed for a licensed agent to give access to an assistant.  In other states, it's prohibited.

In Maryland, it's allowed.  I don't know about DC or VA.

Matt Vaughn · Answer

Great feedback, so what I'm understanding (I think) is that becoming a broker would allow me access to MLIS which is a much more powerful tool and may resolve some of my issues.

Is it unheard of to develop a relationship with your broker so as to allow their client access to the MLIS without being a broker?

Ophelia Nicholson · Answer

I just got my real estate license in January but before that for years I used franklymls and set up alerts and then just told my agents properties I wanted to see. I could check everything just like MRIS. Actually its funny because I'm so used to frankly that I still use it and then log into MRIS to see more details on the property.

My MLS Website Stinks! What am I missing here?

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