For Spanish
Does Puerto Peņasco need an MLS? My answer is yes. Why? For our mutual advantage. Cooperation helps both clients and agents. For those unfamiliar with the concept, a Multiple Listing Service is an association of real estate professionals who agree to cooperate in listing property, showing property, and sharing commissions. The service maintains a data base of all properties listed for sale, with information about each one--price, location, legal description, number of rooms, amenities, etc. So it is possible for members to search for, for example, 3-bedroom houses on the beach, or properties under $50,000. When a property listed by one agent is sold by another, the amount of the commission is divided between them. What advantages would there be in having a Puerto Peņasco MLS?
For Sellers Accessible data--what sold and for how much--makes it possible to price properties more accurately. Sellers have contractual representation by agents. Sellers have all members of the system working for them instead of only one. MLS has data on all properties, both high- and low-end. MLS can go on the Internet for wider advertising and marketing of properties.
Buyers can be represented by a buyer's broker. Buyers' agents receive 50% of the commission, so they are motivated. Buyers' agents can easily find out what's available and for what price. Comparative market analyses on properties insure that buyers don't pay too much or too little.
Agents have access to data on all listed properties, making it easy to do comparative market analyses. Exclusive listings protect listing agents by requiring that commissions be paid no matter who sells the property. The system can publish information on listings, sales, companies, agents; properties sold by month, year, price, size of house, etc. Agents can be more professional and more accountable. An MLS can be the beginning of an association with professional ethics and standards. A good MLS system will increase property values throughout Puerto Peņasco. Why do we need an MLS? Why not?
For Spanish 