You're probably already aware of the basic workings of a Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Through computer terminals and the Internet, all REALTOR® members exchange information on homes they have for sale (listings) and seek the cooperation of other REALTORS® in selling them. New listings are added to the systems daily, and changes to listings are almost as current. The MLS that serves the entire Chicago metropolitan area is Midwest Real Estate Data, LLC (MRED), currently made up of about 9000 offices and 48,000 subscribers (agents).
The MLS’s make it possible for purchasers to work with one REALTOR® whom they can get to know and trust to both find the perfect home and follow through on negotiating, financing, inspections, and all the other important details until the closing.
Your CENTURY 21 Kreuser and Seiler, Ltd. agent checks the MLS daily and "previews" many homes each week. In the process, he or she is keeping your preferences in mind and will make you aware of new listings or changes. Don't hesitate to call your agent for sale signs or ads for homes listed by any REALTOR®. With an address, price and/or MLS number, we can easily check them out for you. And, if you'd prefer to have new listings that meet your specific criteria automatically e-mailed to you as they hit the market, just click here. (The entire MLS for Chicagoland can be viewed on the website you are now on!)
A quick note of advice about Builder's models or REALTOR® Open Houses, should you happen upon them while driving around: Feel free to visit them, but if you do, please use your agent’s name when signing in, or simply give the person holding the open house one of your agent's cards. In doing so, you are protecting your agent's right to represent you in the purchase, and you won't be obligated to work through the listing agents (or builders) of the homes you visit. The salespeople in builders' models and REALTORS® holding public open houses are working for the sellers (or builders) and not you!
Regarding the timeliness of new listings or changes made to current listings, the MLS's require REALTOR® members to input this information within 3 days. In an active market, many homes are actually contracted for (sold) before they hit the MLS. A good local REALTOR® will often know of homes that are about to be listed, so it’s a good idea to have such a REALTOR® (any agent in our office!) keeping an eye on the market for you.
Lastly, most real estate websites obtain their listing data from the Multiple Listing Service, but not all at the same time interval. For this reason, many websites are less up to date than others. Our website (the one you're on) pulls listing data roughly every 30 minutes, the fastest of any website we're aware of. For questions or additional information, click here.