The Gist:

• MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service, and it’s kind of like a formula for how listings are displayed.

• You can look at these listings like a dating profile -- You’ve got some pictures, specifications, and a write-up that often has nothing to do with what you want to know. 

• Many features such as “Site Influences” come from drop down menus, which means that the real deal may not be exactly as you picture it from the listing itself, but it’s the closest you can get with this system. 

• The paragraphs, which we call “Public Remarks”, are limited to 1020 characters-- This includes punctuation, spaces, letters, numbers, and special characters. 

  • This means that a lot of times you will see lots of commas, shorthand, ampersands, etc., in order to fit in as much information as possible.

  • Keyword strategy is especially important for the public remarks as a way to rank up the listings on the internet. For example, if you search “homes for sale near Edmonton International Airport, you may find listings that mention this.

• There are rules surrounding many aspects of the listing to standardize them, such as how houses are to be measured and how many pictures you’re able to show, which come from a regulatory board. This gives an equal playing field to all the options for your next home, and helps to simplify the process of comparing them.

• Here are some tips on the best way to approach looking at MLS Listings:

  • 1. Look at the pictures LAST. People tend to look at the pictures first and then look at the specifications to see if it’s going to be a good fit for them, which often causes heartache after they fall in love with the kitchen and then realize that it doesn’t have enough bedrooms for their family.

  • 2. How long the property has been listed is usually a part of the listing, but not always how you want to receive it-- Meaning that the Days on Market is how long the property has been listed for this go-around, but it may have been listed 3 times before this. 

Virtual Facebook Event | February 23, 2021 6:00-8:30PM

Top local Edmonton & Area Experts will be joining the HACK&Co Team on the live stream to discuss everything you need to know to avoid missing The One and avoiding overpaying. If you’re considering buying this year, you don’t want to miss this!

RSVP early for a chance to win a 14oz. Ember Mug! ☕️

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