House hunters and sellers beware – the Sarasota MLS might not be what you think it is!

Whether confusion or misconception, buyers and sellers potentially are losing $1,000s due to 4 potentially costly Sarasota MLS misconceptions.

The number 1 misconception is that Internet listing sites such as Trulia, Zillow & all other national sites OFFER ALL LOCAL listings. Unbeknown to most house hunters (and to sellers as well), real estate websites like Trulia, Yahoo Real Estate & Zillow do not have access to all homes for sale in the neighborhoods and markets of interest to you. Do you know this? What if your dream house is for sale but the big sites aren’t telling you it’s for sale? Of course, you want to know….

Number Two Mistake – Many buyers believe they have to dial the real estate agent whose name appears on the sign in the front yard. Not true! You are allowed to work with any real estate licensee you choose. Let me be clear – you can work with any licensed real estate agent you choose as your buyer’s agent. All real estate agents can log in to their Sarasota MLS account to research and show you any property currently listed for sale…in or around Sarasota (actually, we can see all properties from Punta Gorda to Sarasota to Tampa to Orlando and all areas in between). Are you clear on this? You can work with any real estate agent you choose to help you buy your first home; second/vacation waterfront condo; luxury Sarasota real estate or “family friendly” home. Doesn’t matter your need; MLS shows ALL properties currently listed for sale with a realtor/brokerage company.

The third misconception occurs with realtor websites demanding forced registration to search Sarasota MLS. Many buyers and sellers hate being forced to “register” to search without being “hassled” or “sold to.” Forcing buyers and sellers to sign up before searching the Sarasota MLS is not cool – I don’t believe in it…. However, in all cases of which I’m aware, realtors and real estate companies requiring a sign-up just want to provide you with more information about Sarasota, buying or selling. I’m not aware of any realtor hassling a buyer or seller who is forced to register simply to search Sarasota MLS. Here’s what’s cool: if you despise forced registration, go to my website where you can search FREE to your heart’s desire. No forced registration; TONS of great information about Sarasota (schools, town, entertainment, dining, recreation, beaches, etc).

The fourth misconception I hear from buyers and sellers is that realtor/brokerage company websites show ONLY that realtor’s or that company’s listings. Not true! Except for the big “box” sites such as Trulia, Zillow, etc that might not show you all Sarasota homes for sale, you ARE seeing the entire Sarasota MLS at (most) real estate agents’ sites. I can’t speak for all realtor or brokerage company websites, however. At my website, you freely and privately can search Sarasota MLS 24/7/365. By the way, are you aware my website allows you to search properties not just in and around Sarasota but also in Punta Gorda, Bradenton, Tampa, Lakeland, Orlando & all areas in between? You don’t have to search just Sarasota…..

Search the MLS on my website if you’re just curious or aren’t serious about selling or selling (yet) – that’s cool. All properties appear provided they’re listed with real estate licensee. FIZZBO (that is, “for-sale-by-owner”) properties do NOT appear on the Sarasota MLS.

You really can research your first or next home from the privacy of your home…wherever “home” is – in Sarasota or across the world. You don’t have to worry about a realtor breathing down your neck…. From my website, you also can discover Sarasota and Sarasota real estate market analysis (including how to buy and sell “smart”) through TONS of videos, blog posts & photos. If you’re new to Sarasota, please don’t think 40-50% off 2006 home prices automatically spells a great deal. You need a realtor who will not rush you to the closing table. You need to be an informed buyer or seller.

House sellers who need to sell demand good information AND a realtor who understands today’s market…filled with short sales and other distressed properties. From my website, please contact me for help with selling or buying a house. Questions? Comments? Contact me know through my website if you have Sarasota real estate questions.

Sarasota MLS reports nearly 80% of all house hunting begins on the Internet? No doubt, that number is climbing each year.

Understanding the Sarasota MLS helps buyers and sellers alike, not just realtors. Hopefully, Monica and you now understand more about Sarasota MLS. When you want to buy or sell a house, please call me.

Author Bio: Mike Payne, a Sarasota realtor, helps homeowners avoid foreclosure. If you or someone you know is facing foreclosure, please contact Mike now at Sarasota Real Estate | Sarasota Foreclosures

Category: Real Estate
Keywords: sarasota real estate,sarasota foreclosures,sarasota realtor,sarasota homes for sale,sarasota homes