Maximizing Your MLS Search

As you are probably seeing, there are so many different sites to use to search the MN MLS.  Not only does just about every Minnesota Realtor have an MLS search function on their site, but you can also use national sites such as Trulia, Yahoo and Zillow just to name a few.  So how do you make sure you are not only getting the most up to date information, but also seeing every home that may fit your MLS search?

  • Use a local Realtor’s website to search the MLS in Minnesota.  Most of the national sites get a data feed from the Northstar MLS each night and therefore that information can be up to 24 hours old on their sites.  Most of the local real estate agents use company that has a direct connection to the live MLS system or at the very least, they update their database hourly.  You don’t want to miss a house because of out of date data.
  • When you set up your search, put in parameters that are slightly beyond what you are exactly looking for.  For example, if you are looking to spend up to $200,000 on an Eden Prairie home, put $210k in the system as your maximum price and .  This will will do several things for you.  You will be able to see properties that are maybe overpriced (at $210k) and watch them come into your price range.  Alternatively, maybe the seller is desperate and just needs an offer and you could get the house for $200k.
  • Consider searching  the cities immediately around your target area.  By searching a slightly larger geographic you may find a home that is perfect for you across the street from your target neighborhood.  If schools are a concern, remember that most districts allow open enrollment and you could get your child into that preferred school district even though you live in another town.
  • Unfortunately, the Minnesota MLS is not a perfect system.  Many real estate agents do not enter their listings properly.  It is very common to go out and look at a 3 bedroom house only to find it is actually a 2 bedroom home or even a 4 bedroom home.  If you limit your search to just a certain number of bedrooms, you may overlook a property that either was input wrong into the MLS MN or is possibly could be converted to suit your needs.

These are just a couple quick examples of how to search the Minnesota MLS and get the most of your results.

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