The Multiple Listing Service | MLS

The MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is a powerful real estate tool used around the county to provide information on property listed for sale. Because most home searches are area specific, there are different associations that manage the MLS in a given geographical vicinity. Our area's MLS is called the Intermountain MLS (or IMLS) and includes property stretching from Twin Falls, Idaho west along I-84 to the Oregon border.

The majority of online home searching services, such as HomeGain, Zillow, Trulia, and individual real estate brokerage sites, pull there data from the MLS. Thus, when you search these sites, you are likely receiving a fairly accurate and complete list of the homes on the market. If you haven't already, it is strongly recommended that you consider registering to receive automatic listing updates of new homes on the MLS that match your criteria. This can be a great way to keep tabs on the market, prevent yourself from having to go online everyday to search for the latest listings, and keep you from missing out on a newly listed homes that fit well with your desired criteria.

Remember, private sales, such as "For Sale By Owner" listings will not be posted in the MLS. Thus, you may also want to peruse Craigslist, For Sale By Owner specific sites, or your local paper to make sure you are aware of all the homes that may be available to you.

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