Multiple listing service (MLS)

The Multiple listing service (MLS) is a database used real estate professionals in the United States to list property for sale, lease, or wanted. The MLS began in 1907 as a system of regional meetings organzied by real estate agents who gathered to share information about property listings. In 1908, this system was endorsed by the National Association of Realtors.

The MLS is comprised of 700 regionally maintained databases that are searchable nationwide. The concept of the MLS is generic and there is no governing body for the service. Real estate agents work cooperatively regionally to create and maintain multiple listing services. Agents pay dues or membership fee to access MLSs. In the United States, multiple listing services are typically organized by state broken down locally by municipality.

Property listings on an MLS typically provide users with information on the property including photos, square footage, amenities, and other features of the property. Most MLS's require listing to be made by a real estate agent, though private home owners can pay to list their homes "For Sale By Owner" in some MLS services according to the MLS's individual requirements.

Popular real estate search platforms such as Zillow draw much of their information from regional MLSs. d