To elaborate on Jims comments: MLS means that you can get listings for properties from all participating brokers without running around town like the proverbial headless chicken. Probably 9 out of 10 people on the street think that they have to go to the listing agent, or that if they don’t it will somehow cost them more. The point is the sellers get more exposure, the buyers can see all available properties at once and, the agents get the house sold, simply spliting the commission. Everybody wins.
Shane,
“MLS listing” means “Multiple listing service”, this is the data base where Real Estate agents and brokers list properties for sale that are signed up on a contract for sale with an agent or broker representing the sellers, and doing the marketing for the home for sale.