Making the most of Florida multiple listing services requires that you understand the advantages that multiple listing services offer to both buyers and sellers. Buyers are able to obtain instant access to many properties that meet their purchase criteria, such as price, location and special features. Sellers are able to expose their property to thousands of prospective buyers that they would otherwise not be able to reach.

A Florida real estate MLS may also contain listings from unrepresented sellers, although there is no specific category for a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) listing. There are three things to note when listing a FSBO property in a multiple listing service:

1. An instruction to present an offer directly to the seller is frequently discouraged or even prohibited on a Florida MLS service.
2. A FSBO may sometimes pay a flat fee to a discount real estate broker in order to be listed. However, the seller is still not actually represented.
3. The selling commission may be less than that offered by traditional real estate brokers, which provides less incentive for the agent to show the listing.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out more about the laws regarding Florida multiple listing services

Each state has its own multiple listing services laws. These laws cover issues such as fair housing, licensing verification and disclosure requirements.

I recommend: The Northeast Florida Association Realtors offers news on real estate legislation, such as the Realtor Housing Stimulus Plan. The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation provides statutes regarding real estate in Florida.

Conduct an Florida MLS search to get information on an area

Multiple listing services frequently provide data on neighborhoods in addition to listing properties for that area. These services may also provide a schedule of open houses and other related events in specific neighborhoods.

I recommend: OwenResidential.com provides a property search and a description of neighborhoods in Southwest Florida. Celebration Home Sales provides community information and satellite photographs of its properties in Central Florida.

Use Florida home listings to get information on schools

Home buyers are usually interested in the school district in which a property is located. This applies even if the buyer doesn't have children since homes in better school districts tend to have a higher resale value.

I recommend: The Langrocks offers an MLS search of properties in the Tampa Bay area and provides information on schools such as assignment maps. Delray Beach Real Estate lists properties in Palm Beach County and provides information on schools and other aspects of community life.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use Florida multiple listing services to receive new listings through email. Comprehensive listings by email are another service that may be provided by a multiple listing service. Florida agents can customize a search that only will send you results that meet certain criteria such as location, price and specific features.

Florida Multiple Listing Services (MLS) are powerful marketing tools providing home data to a wide network of Realtors. The Florida real estate MLS features a sophisticated database sharing information about properties for sale by Realtors throughout Florida. The Florida MLS offers timely, effective and efficient distribution of information about current homes for sale.

Any real estate professional who is a member of the Multiple Listing Service Florida has access to properties listed in the MLS. By working with one Realtor in the Florida MLS service, sellers essentially are employing hundreds of Realtors with potential home buyers. More exposure can equate to a faster sale at a higher price.

The Multiple Listing Service in Florida provides home buyers with more purchase options. Through the Florida MLS listings, a buyer’s agent provides available properties in several geographic areas. A Realtor may use a Florida MLS search to find the right home for their client.

Before purchasing real estate, use the FL Multiple Listing Service to research the following:

1. Where is the best location to purchase a home in Florida?

2. What amenities are most important in your Florida MLS search criteria?

3. What is the estimated price range for your Florida MLS service search?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use Florida Multiple Listing Services to search for properties in several geographic areas

A home's location is an important consideration for residential properties. Where the property is located will directly affect the home's value. Use the Florida MLS to research the local schools, area crime statistics, neighborhood appearance and local economic growth.

I recommend: HomeFinderConnect provides a property search by 23 geographic areas. Discover information about Tampa neighborhoods and MLS listings in those neighborhoods at Keller Williams Realty. Search by multiple geographic areas at Daytona Beach Area Association of Realtors.

Utilize helpful Florida MLS search criteria to find properties with your desired amenities

Use the Florida MLS to narrow down your search criteria by property type, size of property, age of home, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and even specific details like if the home has a fireplace or swimming pool. Florida MLS listings provide details on homes for sale that meet your search criteria, and often include a photo of the listing. Some Multiple Listings Florida programs offer advanced features like mapping tools and virtual tours.

I recommend: Use the advanced search at Realtor.com to find homes by property features, lot features, community features or financial options. Search for homes in specific elementary, middle and high school zones at The Realtor Association of Miami Dade County. Search for MLS listings by number of bedrooms, bathrooms and half baths at Marco Island Area Association of Realtors.

Access the Florida real estate MLS to search for a home in your price range

The Florida MLS allows home buyers to search for properties in their price range, which is a convenient tool that saves valuable time in narrowing a property search. The Florida MLS service also includes information about recently sold properties, which can be used to determine market trends in specific neighborhoods.

I recommend: Search by minimum and maximum price at Orlando Regional Realtor Association. Find a property in the Naples area in your price range at Naples Area Board of Realtors. Search for properties by price range and sort by lowest or highest price at Pinellas Realtor Organization.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Because each Multiple Listing Service Florida is affiliated with a local Realtors association, the Florida MLS typically does not list For Sale By Owner (FSBO) listings. If you are interested in a FSBO, contact the homeowner directly.