The MLS is an elusive bird. The consumer thinks when they log on to a real estate company's website they are searching the MLS directly, but that's not the case. Only members of the MLS can search the "real" MLS. The only reason the consumer can see properties online is because real estate agents wanted to provide this service for their clients. The real estate brokers formed a cooperative endeavor called broker reciprocity which allows all participants to publish all the other companies' listings.
The public has limitations as to what they can view through the broker reciprocity sites. For instance, a former client called today asking for assistance to find a property. She had searched all over what she thought was the "MLS" trying to find a home in Taylors Falls. I logged in (password required for MLS members) and did my search. Voila! There was the property. The reason she could not find it was because the property was no longer "active" or available for sale. The seller had accepted a purchase agreement and as a result the property's status was "pending" (waiting for the closing). When the public searches the broker reciprocity sites, they only get to see active listings. Properties that are expired, canceled, sold or pending are not available for public viewing. Those can only be obtained through a real estate agent or other member of the MLS.
So now that I've gone far afield with explaining online searches for properties, I'll get to the real point of my comments today. I've added a link in the right side bar under "Twin Cities Homes" which will allow you to access as much of the MLS as is allowed through broker reciprocity. The particular company I use for this service updates every 15 minutes. You can tell by checking the time stamp on the search page. If you check my websites, you'll find the same search available to you through those sites as well. Happy hunting! Or is it "Happy Snooping"!?
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