If you’re in the market for a home, the Cincinnati MLS is something that you need to know about. This database is exclusively available to realtors and provides access to the biggest collection of listings available in the greater Cincinnati area.
If you’re looking to buy a home, it’s a good idea to have a real estate agent on your side for several reasons. Access to the MLS is just one of them. But what is the MLS and how can it benefit you? Let’s take a closer look.
What Does MLS Stand For?
MLS is an acronym for multiple listing service, which is a cooperative effort of listing brokers to share property information so that they can help each other with the sale and purchase of property. The concept was first realized in the late 1800s, and today, the MLS is a multi-million dollar tool that facilitates thousands of real estate property transactions every single year.
Of course, to say “the” MLS is a misnomer– there are actually more than 800 MLS databases used by real estate agents and brokers around the country.
Does Ohio Have MLS?
Ohio does have an MLS, which was developed and is managed by the Ohio REALTORS. This includes more than 38 local boards and associations throughout the state, along with those in the Cincinnati area. MLS brokers share information with each other in exchange for compensation, and MLS listings are available to all brokers.
The Ohio real estate market is as competitive as other areas of the country. The increasing demand and competition make it easy to see where using the MLS could benefit you.
MLS listings are available in all counties throughout Ohio, including cities like Cincinnati and others. You can find sale information for individual properties, contact details for the owner, and other information that can help you connect and make the best purchase decision.
Why Sell Off the MLS?
Some people wonder why they should use the MLS rather than using a site like Zillow or Realtor.com. For brokers, there’s a little extra cash in it. When they produce a buyer for an MLS listing, they will be compensated for their efforts in addition to the commission they earn as a real estate agent.
Having access to this listing service also guarantees that you get the most accurate, complete set of real estate listings in Cincinnati and the surrounding areas. You’ll be able to see houses that are new to the market, just coming on the market, and even those that are potentially under contract, but that your realtor might have inside information about.
The MLS also has its own standards and protocols. In fact, each of the more than 800 MLSs out there today have their own rules and guidelines. These focus on things like the quality of listings, detailed information, and other elements, making the MLS superior to any public real estate website.
The Benefits of Using the Cincinnati MLS
If you’re in the market for real estate in Cincinnati, OH, you have a lot of ways to start your search. However, the MLS can connect you with the best properties and realtors in the city. This can facilitate a quicker sale and guarantee that you get the exact features that you want.
Need a house with a basement? You can search for that on the MLS. Perhaps you want a specific number of bedrooms. The MLS can help you narrow that, too.
A lot of people are turning to more modern website platforms and tools like Zillow, Facebook marketplace, and others for their real estate search, but the fact is that it really doesn’t get better than the multiple listing service in Cincinnati. If you hire a realtor, they will usually generate their listings from the MLS without you even having to request as much.
The MLS website is timely, accurate, and includes a host of photos and details that you might not find elsewhere. The Ohio MLS has its own guidelines for the requirements of each posting, but you can guarantee that they will be high caliber.
Accuracy is a big part of the reason that many people choose the MLS over other websites or real estate options. The information has to be accurate down to the last detail, including location, square footage, age and condition, and so much more. There’s also a limit on how long listings can wait to be posted once they are received.
Can You Use the Cincinnati MLS Without a Real Estate Agent?
In the case of FSBO, or for sale by owner, individuals cannot list a property on the MLS themselves. You will have to pay a real estate agent or broker to put the listing on the site. There are some flat-fee MLS services out there that claim to offer support, but they also often include drawbacks that could impact what you save money-wise in other ways.
You also cannot just sign onto the MLS and start looking at properties. You’ll need a realtor to access the listings and provide them to you. While the MLS website does funnel to other sites.
Final Thoughts
If you want the best chances of finding the home you want in Greater Cincinnati, the combination of a dedicated real estate agent and access to the multiple listing service are what you need. You can avoid the traffic and time involved in searching for properties for sale elsewhere and get access to the best listings in cities around the greater Cincinnati region to find your next place to call home.
Ask your realtor about properties on the MLS website that are available for sale. They might have connections with other realtors that help you find a better home than you imagined, no matter where in Cincinnati you’re looking to settle down. Contact your Cincinnati realtor to find your new property now.
