As a real estate investor, you are well aware that you will need access to important data in order to make the best possible investment decisions. Real estate investing is no easy task, and without the help of big data on your side, you aren’t giving yourself the greatest chance of success. You are probably hoping to gain access to the MLS database, and you might be wondering about your options for gaining MLS access. Luckily, you have many options when it comes to getting the information you need to find the best investment properties for sale.
In this article, we are going to cover what the MLS database has to offer, different ways to gain access to the MLS database and other tools for your investment property search.
What Is the MLS Database?
The MLS, or Multiple Listing Services, is a collection of real estate listings posted by real estate brokers. It was created to help realtors find the information they need about a property in order to make a sale efficiently. Brokers will also earn a commission on a property that is sold using their listing.
The MLS database contains helpful data and information about properties for sale across the US housing market. Without it, the job of real estate agents and investors would be quite difficult.
Who Gets MLS Access?
Before you get excited and feel that you’ve found the golden ticket to successful real estate investing, you should know that the MLS is not publicly accessible. It is an exclusive database reserved for members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
This can include:
- Realtors
- Brokers
- Real estate investors who have obtained their real estate license
How to Get Access to the MLS Database
There are a number of ways to gain MLS access. However, they are not always cost-effective. As a real estate investor, you will have to decide which option makes the most sense for you.
How to Get Access to the MLS Database: 7 Ways
- Get your real estate license
- Become a broker or realtor
- Become a member of the NAR
- Hire a realtor
- Get sponsored
- Use an API to access MLS data
- Get analysis MLS listings through a real estate company (such as Mashvisor)
You have probably heard of investors getting their real estate licenses. While this works for some, it comes with its drawbacks, which include a hefty price tag and serious time commitment. Some people are up for sitting through classes and taking an exam, but not everyone is willing to go this route. The good news is that you don’t have to.
The most common solution to gaining access to MLS listings without a license is to hire a realtor. If you are new to real estate investing, this might be a great opportunity to work with someone who is knowledgeable. You can learn the ropes while enjoying their guidance, and you will get access to MLS listings through them.
The only negative aspect of hiring a realtor is coordinating your time with another person and putting your trust in them. There may also be a lack of control, as the realtor has access to the MLS database, but you don’t. You will be relying on them to provide that information to you. For seasoned real estate investors, this may be too much of a hassle.
How to Access the MLS Without a Real Estate License or Realtor
If you are wondering how to get access to the MLS database without a realtor or a license, know that there are still options for getting MLS access.
It is possible to get sponsored and receive access to the MLS database this way, though it takes time and there really is no guarantee of success.
For many real estate investors, the simplest solution to analyzing properties in the MLS database is utilizing the resources available through real estate data analytics companies. While there are plenty of companies that provide this information, in my opinion, Mashvisor is by far the best. The reason is simple. Mashvisor’s real estate listing API aggregates data from dozen of public sources and augments this with proprietary AI-powered investment analytics. This means that investors get access to industry-leading data without having to consult multiple sources.
Mashvisor: The Ultimate Resource for Real Estate Investors
Mashvisor is an impressive tool for real estate investors for both the real estate database it offers, as well as its powerful real estate investment software. It is an all-in-one platform for investors who are serious about scoring ideal investment properties and creating a successful investment strategy.
Here is an overview of some of the tools Mashvisor offers.
Rental Property Finder
Mashvisor’s rental property finder combines MLS listings with listings from other resources to create the ultimate database of investment properties for sale.
The rental property finder can help you pick out the best income property based on your search criteria. It uses predictive analytics and machine-learning algorithms to provide its results, which are based on massive amounts of data and patterns among users. In short, it is able to serve you the perfect matches you are looking for.
Property Marketplace
Mashvisor’s property marketplace is an additional resource for real estate investors interested in off-market properties anywhere in the US housing market.
Typically, finding off-market properties can be a pain, and investors are often unsure of how to look for them. The property marketplace uses the same predictive analytics and data to source great matches for your investment needs. With this tool, you will be able to easily and efficiently find investment properties that other investors may be overlooking.
Between the rental property finder and property marketplace, you won’t need traditional access to the MLS database. Thanks to Mashvisor, it has never been easier to find and analyze MLS homes without a realtor or license. Mashvisor makes conducting MLS home searches and analysis a breeze, and we also offer other tools to help with your rental property analysis.
Other Mashvisor Tools
Mashvisor’s real estate heatmap is an invaluable asset to investors who need information on specific neighborhoods and want to conduct rental market analysis. This tool can help you make your decision on where to buy your investment properties based on performance data.
Another incredible tool Mashvisor offers is our rental property calculator. With the rental property calculator, you can quickly determine whether a property is worth your time and money. By inputting basic data about your financing, the calculator will give you all of the relevant metrics you need for a thorough real estate investment analysis.
As you can see, there are many ways to access the MLS database without a real estate license. Whichever method works best for you, know that Mashvisor is here for all of your real estate investment needs.
To learn more about how Mashvisor can help you make faster and smarter real estate investment decisions, sign up now.