Before the invention of the New York MLS, real estate investors had to conduct property searches through multiple real estate agencies because each agency had exclusive rights to its list of properties. Now, working with New York multiple listing services, investors can find thousands of properties in one location, saving a lot of time and money.

Multiple listing services, all of which are Internet-based, provide various means for narrowing your search results to the specific type of property for which you’re searching. They are very helpful, whether you’re on the purchasing or selling end of a transaction. When considering the use of a multiple listing service New York State, note the following benefits:

1. You can find properties on New York multiple listings within a specific price range, that have a specified minimum square footage and that contain a certain number of rooms.

2. Many New York residential property listings searches have the option to narrow results further by specifying amenities, such as a swimming pool.

3. More interested individuals will be able to view the property you have for sale if it’s available on NY multiple listings.

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

Find properties on NY MLS by price, square footage and rooms

At the bare minimum, every multiple listing service provides search criteria that will find properties under a specified price range, minimum square footage and number of bedrooms and bathrooms. With thousands of properties available on each MLS and a large number of MLS sites to search through, these search functions provide a more realistic amount of results to peruse.

I recommend: Set a price range and minimum number of bedrooms through the Mid-Hudson MLS provided through HomeSeekers.com. Use the same criteria and search a New York City multiple listing service with MLS.com.

Narrow multiple listing service New York search results further with specific amenities

While not available on all MLS searches, some websites provide an advanced search that allows you to narrow your results by specific amenities, such as only properties with a swimming pool, fireplace or fenced yard. These amenities help raise the value of the home and make the property more appealing to potential buyers/leasers when you're ready to turn your investment around.

I recommend: Search for properties with features such as an eat-in kitchen, located on a cul-de-sac or with a water view on MLSLI.com. Use the Additional Property Features section, located at the bottom of the page, of the Zip Realty MLS search for New York. With this feature you can specify the heating and cooling type as well as the number of stories contained in your properties of interest.

List properties you want to sell on a New York State multiple listing service

As a real estate investor, you don't make money until you sell or rent the property you purchased and renovated. To broaden the exposure of your properties for sale, you should make sure they're available in online searches, such as a NYC MLS. While most real estate agents automatically list properties on an MLS, you should make sure your property is available to search for or even look into listing the property yourself.

I recommend: If you wish to sell a property as for-sale-by-owner but want the exposure that an MLS search brings, consider using services such as Flat Fee Listing or Broker Direct MLS. You pay a flat fee for the location your property is in, and they place your listing on the MLS just like a real estate agent would.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You can also search an MLS for residential listings in New York based upon location. MLS services will often provide statistical information on neighborhoods, such as economic standings or crime rates, to help you make a location decision for your property purchase.

Real estate has always been big business in New York. Whether the market is up or down, there are always plenty of residential property listings. The New York City Multiple Listing Service (NYC MLS) was originally established to help realtors share listings. But with the popularity of the internet came new ways to advertise New York residential property listings; the general public is now allowed to tap into the New York MLS, which is great news if you're relocating employees.

NYC MLS is a database of New York residential listings that contains all the vital information on each property. The New York MLS is a potential resource for anyone attempting to buy or sell property in New York. In some cases, the New York State Multiple Listing Service (NY MLS) allows non-members to pay a one-time listing fee to add their listing to the database, bringing it directly to the attention of hundreds of realtors eager to make sales. Ideas to share with relocating employees include:

1. List a house with a multiple listing service in New York state or a New York City multiple listing service.

2. Search the New York State Multiple Listing Service database for New York residential property listings.

3. Contacting a real estate agent who is a member of the New York State Multiple Listing Service.

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

List the house right away in the New York multiple listings

Relocating employees involves giving them solid advice on how to make the process run smoothly. Getting their current house on the market is a priority. Find one of the New York multiple listings that allows free or reasonably priced listings, and get that house on the market.

I recommend: ValueMLS.com offers an online directory of listing services. Select the state and county where you live and the website generates a list of listing services and their prices for you to compare.

Search residential property listings in New York

When relocating employees, it is important to get them as much information about their new location as possible. Residential property listings in New York can be searched by several variables like size, location, and asking price at a NY MLS.

I recommend: Try searching at REALTOR.com, JustListed.com, MyHomeMyPrice.com and MLS.com, which allow you to browse multiple listing services in New York.

Break into the New York City market with the NYC MLS

New York City is a whole different real estate market. When relocating employees in or out of New York City, you need a New York City multiple listing service. Instead of searching for 'multiple listing service New York,' be sure to specify your need for market information in New York City.

I recommend: REALTOR.com breaks out multiple listing service New York City properties. Try the real estate listings in the New York Times for a quick lesson on the current New York City real estate market.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't be afraid to call in the professionals. If you're confused by the New York multiple listings, call a licensed realtor in your area and ask some questions.

Multiple listing service New York is an effective means of finding real estate investment properties. Among the many options available, you can narrow your search results by price range, number of bedrooms and various amenities, such as a swimming pool, that will attract more buyers or renters when you put the property back on the market.

Location is an important factor when investing in real estate. Where the property sits will determine how much response it receives from potential buyers or leasers. The following will help you in making the most of New York multiple listing services:

1. Performing your own New York multiple listings search may result in prospects your real estate agent overlooked.

2. Know what regions and cities are the best for real estate investments as you search a NY multiple listing service.

3. Knowing statistical information about specific neighborhoods will help you to choose from various NY multiple listings.

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

Supplement a real estate agent's property search with NY MLS

While hiring a real estate agent will remove a large amount of the stress that property hunting can produce, it's also important that you perform your own search of New York residential property listings. While your real estate agent may have an idea of what you're looking for in a property, he may not catch every single listing. Performing your own search can help to clarify exactly what you're looking for and obtain listings for properties he or she may overlook.

I recommend: Real estate agent Claire D. Leone Associates in Scarsdale, New York, provides an MLS search on her website. The Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service provides a list of real estate agencies that will assist you in your MLS search.

Use New York State multiple listing service to search for properties by region

One of the most popular features of an MLS search is the ability to search by zone, city, county or region. As a property investor, you likely already know the general location in which you would like to make a purchase. Use this search option to obtain listing results for the location you have in mind.

I recommend: Select a location in the Long Island area through MLSLI.com. Search by location and school district through LakeGeorge.com’s Warren County, New York, MLS.

Obtain information on New York MLS neighborhoods

If you have a neighborhood of interest for your real estate investments, it's a good idea to check into the neighborhood statistics, such as the economic structure, crime levels and population. Especially when investing in residential property, this statistical information will affect the successful sale or lease of that property when you're ready to turn it around.

I recommend: The New York City multiple listing service search results on MLS Online provides various options for statistical information, such as economic standings for the area. Obtain profiles on neighborhoods in New York towns and cities, such as Niagara Falls, on ConnectwithLife.com. Scroll to the middle of the page and choose the county and city in the Neighborhood Profile search on the left.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Other NYC MLS search criteria that will help narrow your results may include price range, number of bedrooms and specific amenities, such as a swimming pool or basement.

When looking for retail space, it's important to understand New York multiple listing services key terms, so you can get the best deal. They can help you research the market and know who to contact to find housing that meets your unique criteria.

Understanding key terms for New York multiple listing services (MLS) also helps you communicate with professionals in the marketplace. Instead of wasting time learning the nuances of language, you can demonstrate your prowess in the industry and conduct smooth business transactions. When it comes to New York listings, an important aspect of the decision is the location of the property.

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

Zone

Agents frequently sort New York multiple listings by zones, or regions, divided by specific areas in a town such as downtown Manhattan or Brooklyn.

I recommend: New York Media offers a map with neighborhood zones.

Long Island

Located east of Manhattan in southeastern New York, Long Island stretches 118 miles. It connects to the city via bridges and tunnels and contains four counties.

I recommend: The Multiple Listing Service of Long Island offers house purchasing opportunities for people interested in buying homes in the New York City and Long Island region.

City

When most people see this term on a New York MLS, they may think of New York City. Actually, this term refers to a highly populated urban area. New York has 62 cities with populations ranging from about 5,000 to over eight million people.

I recommend: The New York State Library offers a list of towns, villages and cities in the state.

Tri-state

The tri-state area surrounds New York City and is comprised of Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. The New York MLS often refers to this region as the greater metropolitan area.

I recommend: Coldwell Banker Real Estate offers real estate listings for the tri-state area. It shows a map detailing real estate coverage.

Western New York region

This term defines the spatial location of the area in the most western part of New York. It includes Buffalo, Rochester and the Niagara Falls, along with some suburbs.

I recommend: The New York State Association of REALTORS offers a website with a map depicting various regions in New York State, including western NY.

New York Real estate agent

A real estate agent is an intermediary responsible for buying or selling real estate. New York State agents frequently use multiple listing services to sell properties.

I recommend: RNCInternet Services provides a list of NY realtors. These professionals offer Internet services for real estate.