Pre-MLS properties from a real estate agent?

[Matt A.]

Are agents "allowed" tell an investor about a property before it hits the MLS?
It seems like a good way to find deals- but does it violate professional code/etc for real estate agents?

There are a few agents I know from previous dealings and I'm not clear if it would be approriate to ask them to do this.

[Richard Anthony]

I'm a realtor in Nevada. You can have your seller sign an exclusion to the MLS and market the property on your own to double end the deal. I'm not sure if it is different in other states however. At some point you have to put it on the MLS to put it in sold status but you can have it sold before that point.
Wether or not its ethical is another story.