What is the MLS? (Explained for normal humans)

What is the MLS, really?

MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service. It is a private list of homes for sale that real estate agents share with each other. Think of it as the agent-only version of Zillow — but it came first, and it has way more details.

In Texas there is no one MLS. Each city has its own. Houston uses HAR. Dallas uses NTREIS. Austin uses ABOR. San Antonio uses SABOR. Your home gets posted on the one that covers your area.

Why does the MLS matter?

Almost every home sold in the U.S. starts on the MLS. When a buyer's agent looks for homes for their client, they search the MLS first. Not Zillow. Not Realtor.com. The MLS.

Zillow and Realtor.com both copy homes from the MLS. So if your home is on the MLS, it shows up everywhere else too. Automatic. Free.

Who can put a home on the MLS?

Only licensed real estate brokers can post a home on the MLS. You cannot do it yourself, even if you own the home. This is the rule the industry built so regular people had to pay an agent to sell their house.

That is where flat-fee MLS came in. A licensed broker (like us) posts your home on the MLS for you, for a small flat price — like $150 — instead of taking 3% of your sale.

What does an MLS listing show?

• Your home's address, price, and main details (beds, baths, square feet)
• Photos (usually up to 25–50)
• A description of the home
• How to schedule a showing
• The agent or broker to contact (that's us, or you, depending on the package)

Will being on the MLS sell my home faster?

Yes — homes on the MLS sell faster and for more money than homes that aren't. That is because more eyes see them. More buyers means more offers. More offers means a higher price.

What does this cost the normal way?

A traditional listing agent charges 3% of your home's sale price to put it on the MLS and handle the sale. On a $350,000 home, that is $10,500. Just to post your home on a list and answer some phone calls.

We do the same MLS posting for a flat $150 — and you keep the rest. That is the whole idea.

One more thing

Buyer's agents (the agent who represents whoever buys your home) usually still get paid 2–3%. That is normal and you offer it in your listing. We help you set this up. The big savings come from removing the listing agent — that's the half of the commission you were going to pay yourself.