WHAT'S AN MLS?

A Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is an formal organization typically affiliated (either as a committee or a separate corporation) with a Board of REALTORS® .

An MLS is a cooperative effort between member real estate offices that benefits both buyers and sellers.  

When an MLS agent takes a property listing, the listing is forwarded to the MLS office.  The listing is then disseminated to all other MLS offices.

This allows buyers to look at all properties with one real estate agent, regardless of which office has the property listed.  Sellers also have the benefit of working with only one agent but have their properties exposed to all agents of the MLS.

MLS rules, regulations and bylaws must be approved the local Board of REALTORS®, the state board (Missouri Association of REALTORS®), and by the National Association of REALTORS®.  Members of an MLS must be REALTOR® members and abide by the REALTOR® code of ethics.