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Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
Last updated: June 2, 2025
The Multiple Listing Service or MLS is a brokerage listing syndication service. There are hundreds of regional organizations supported by real estate broker membership that support the listing of properties and reciprocal access to listings, listing status and market data. Services such as Zillow and Redfin access data feeds from many MLS organizations in order to display listings and accurate statuses on their site. Bright MLS, serving the mid-Atlantic region, is an example of an MLS. Multiple Listing Service® or MLS® are registered trademarks of the National Association of REALTORS®.
What does MLS mean in real estate?
Not to be confused with Major League Soccer, in the context of real estate, MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service.
MLS Alternatives
Alternatives to the MLS include iBuyers, FSBO and OfferMarket's commission-free marketplace.
How to list on the MLS
To list your property for sale on the MLS, you will need to work with a real estate brokerage (i.e. a licensed real estate agent, Realtor). There are traditional listing agreements that typically involve a 4% to 6% commission to compensate the real estate agents involved, and there are "flat fee" brokerages that allow you to list the property on the MLS under their brokerage in exchange for an up-front flat fee.
| Traditional | Flat Fee | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee timing | At closing | Up front |
| Fee type | Commission (%) | Fixed amount ($) |
| Service level | High | Low |
Access off market properties
Properties on the MLS are considered "on market" and have maximum exposure to "retail" buyers (i.e. people buying a primary residence). Properties that are not listed on the MLS are considered "off market". Off market properties are typically sold by those seeking a fast sale in AS IS condition to an experienced buyer. Off market properties are sold without listing on the MLS for several reasons including but not limited to: property is in poor condition, seller needs cash ASAP, seller inherited the property and wants a headache-free sale, property has tenants under a lease agreement and needs to be sold to rental property investor, property has a squatter that needs to be evicted.
Join OfferMarket
OfferMarket is a real estate investing platform that provides a the following benefits to sellers and buyers:
🏠 Commission-free marketplace: for sale by owner, for sale by wholesaler 💰 Private lending: DSCR, Fix and Flip, Low balance ☂️ Insurance rate shopping: landlord, fix and flip 💡 Insights
Our mission is to help you build and protect real estate wealth and we hope you will accept our invitation to join us! Membership is entirely free.
