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GLOSSARY — REAL ESTATE TERMS

Multiple Listing Service

The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a shared regional database that licensed real estate agents use to list properties for sale and search for homes on behalf of clients, syndicating listings to public sites like Zillow and Realtor.com.

How the MLS works

The MLS is a cooperative database maintained by regional real estate associations -- CRMLS covers most of Southern California -- that only licensed agents and brokers can directly access and submit listings to. Public sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia pull their for-sale listings from MLS syndication rather than hosting original listing data themselves.

Why MLS placement matters

A property listed on the MLS reaches every buyer's agent searching that database, plus the full network of public sites it syndicates to -- far broader exposure than word-of-mouth or a sign in the yard alone. This is the core service a flat fee MLS-only listing provides, though full-service representation includes considerably more than just this placement.

Where CRMLS listings actually appear

A listing entered into CRMLS syndicates out to Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia, and dozens of smaller sites within hours -- which is why MLS placement, not any single website, is what actually drives a listing's visibility.

WHAT TO VERIFY ONCE YOU'RE LISTED
  • Confirm your listing is entered correctly on CRMLS within 24–48 hours
  • Check that it syndicated correctly to Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin
  • Review your listing photos and description as they appear on public sites
  • Ask how showings are being scheduled and tracked through MLS tools
RELATED TERMS
Listing AgentComparative Market AnalysisBuyer's AgentFlat Fee Real Estate Agent
Can I list my home on the MLS myself without an agent?
Generally no -- MLS access is restricted to licensed agents and brokers, which is why flat fee MLS listing services exist as a way for sellers to get MLS placement without full-service representation.
Is Zillow the same as the MLS?
No -- Zillow is a public consumer website that receives listing data syndicated from MLS databases; it isn't the source database itself.
Which MLS covers Southern California?
CRMLS (California Regional MLS) covers most of Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, and San Bernardino counties, among the largest MLS systems in the country.