How to Lookup a Property By the MLS #
An MLS number is a unique set of digits assigned to a particular real estate property in a given geographic area. The MLS ID number allows another means of searching for a property when an exact address or the real estate listing agent is not known. The MLS ID number also indicates that the property has been listed with the MLS, which stands for Multiple Listing Service. Access to this database is generally restricted to licensed real estate agents, however, websites such as Realtor.com make it easy for anyone to search for a property using an MLS ID number.
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Instructions
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Log on to the internet and visit the website Realtor.com (www.realtor.com). Look for the "Find a home" tab. At the bottom of this tab will be a link that says, "Search by MLS #." Click on this link.
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Input the MLS number of the house you wish to search for into the pop-up search box. Because Realtor.com is a national real estate listing website, do not be alarmed if two or more results show up for your specific number. Fortunately duplicate MLS listings will almost always be in different states. If you received no results for your MLS search, make sure you input the number correctly. If you did, your number may be incorrect, or the listing is unavailable on Realtor.com. In the latter case, you have a couple of options.
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Enter the MLS number between quotation marks in a Google search engine. If you get several results, consider adding additional information to your search, such as geographic area or the company name of the real estate listing office. If you know the real estate office or agent that is listing the property, check their website to see if they offer a free MLS ID search.
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Examine the source of your MLS number if it fails to come up in these other searches. Many times, newspaper listings and flyers with MLS listings also include a phone number or real estate agent's name. Contact that number or agent for more information.
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Tips & Warnings
When an MLS ID number search produces multiple results, first check the geographic area associated with each listing to determine which is the correct listing. Duplicate listings are usually located several states apart and in different regions of the country.
In most cases, you should be able to locate a house by using the MLS ID on Realtor.com or other internet search engines, but occasionally homes are in remote locations or listed by small agencies that have not utilized any online features. In these cases your only option is direct communication.
