The listing game is cutthroat in the world of real estate. You might be the first to see a new home go up for sale, but if you’re not fast enough on your feet, you could lose out on the chance to get it before the general public knows it exists. That’s why you need to be thinking about how to find MLS listings as soon as they come available so that you can snap up that hot new piece of property and sell it for a tidy profit. From keeping an eye out for construction sites to establishing insider relationships with local realtors, there are plenty of ways to get inside information about new homes coming onto the market. Here are some proven tactics for being first in this cutthroat game.
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Build Relationships With Realtors
There are obvious ways to find out about new listings, like talking to realtors and keeping an eye out for for-sale signs. But you can take your relationships with realtors to the next level by becoming a highly valuable client. If you’re buying and selling a lot of properties in a short amount of time, you’ll likely need to use the services of a realtor. By becoming a high-volume client, you can use your volume to your advantage by asking your realtor to notify you when new listings come up. Your realtor might even be willing to get you in the door before they go public by giving you access to a private MLS website. Realtors are more than happy to share listings with you. After all, they make a percentage of the sale, which is nothing if no one buys the property. So you can use your buying power to get them to give you an early heads-up about new homes hitting the market.
Subscribe To Real Estate Websites And Apps
Many realtor websites now have subscription services that allow you to get inside information about new listings before the general public knows about them. You’ll need to subscribe to a few different websites to get the scoop on all of the new listings in your area. You might also want to download apps like Zillow or Redfin to help keep track of all the information coming your way. These days, it’s not just about finding out about new listings through your realtor. If you have a few bucks to spare, you can sign up for a subscription that gives you access to information about all of the new listings in your area. Depending on the website, you can get access to information that could include photos of the property, the home’s estimated value, details about the seller, neighborhood information, and even a timeline of the home’s history. The information you’ll get will vary, but it will give you a leg up on the competition because you’ll know about the house before anyone else does.
Use A Real Estate Lead Gen Company
If you’re in a financial position where you can spare a few thousand dollars, you could make that money back many times over by using a lead gen service. Regularly using a real estate lead gen company will put you at the top of the list when it comes to finding new properties. You’ll get notified first of any new listings, and you’ll be able to get in touch with the seller directly. Once you get a seller on the phone or talking to you in person, you can seal the deal with a few well-placed words. You’ll have the upper hand because you’re the first person to contact them about the listing. That gives you a major leg up on the competition. You might even be able to use your insider information to buy the house before the general public even knows it exists.
Check Zillow
If you’re not getting any leads from real estate websites, try surfing Zillow. Many sellers will use this site to advertise their properties before they’re ever listed on the MLS. Sellers are often looking for help to sell a property, and they’re usually willing to give a deal that’s better for you than a listing on the MLS. That’s because listing on the MLS means paying a commission, which is typically 6% of the sale price. Zillow is free to list a property, and you can use it to your advantage by checking the site before you commit to a particular listing. If you see a property listed on Zillow that’s not yet on the MLS, you could get in touch with the seller and get a better deal than the public will get. Since you don’t have to pay a commission, you can offer a lower sales price.
Explore MLS Networking Events
If you’re looking to widen your network, consider attending an event hosted by your local MLS. You’ll meet realtors from all walks of life, and you’ll have the chance to ask questions about how you can expand your business. Most networks host regular events, and you can usually find out about them by contacting your local board. You can usually attend these events for free, and if you’re nice to the realtors, you’ll likely make a few friends who will be willing to give you a heads-up on future listings. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, you can use these events to establish yourself as a go-to source of information. That will put you at the top of the list when it comes to getting information on the next great listing opportunity.
Track New Property Developments
If you’re looking for a surefire way to find out about future properties before they’re listed, you can keep tabs on new property developments. Regularly visit construction sites and keep your eyes peeled for signs that indicate the construction crew is building houses. You can also keep tabs on local planning boards to see if any new developments are in the works. While you might not get the same kind of advanced information about new homes that you get from your realtor or Zillow, you’ll be able to get information before the general public knows about it. That will put you at the top of the list when it comes to getting first dibs on new properties.
Conclusion
Finding MLS listings before the general public knows about them can give you a leg up on the competition. With these proven ways to find MLS listings, you’ll be able to get the inside scoop on new homes before anyone else even knows they exist. Use these tactics to get your foot in the door on the next big listing opportunity. Now all you have to do is choose which tactic to use first!
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