Hard time Finding Active Listings? Here's Why

Does your real estate search ever feel like a long walk through very tall reeds? Listing after listing with sold, off the market, rented, expired or just plain non-existent. There's a reason it may seem that way and there's a simple solution.

The Bahamas Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a great tool. It essentially puts exclusive listings in front of every agent (who is a member of the MLS) and every buyer, either through their search directly on the MLS website or through their searches on various broker sites.

Why do you see the same property on several websites?
Broker websites feature MLS listings by using what's called the IDX feed. This is why you will see the same property on multiple broker websites. It's also why you have no idea who the listing broker actually is. Which isn't a problem because any agent can represent the buyer in the purchase of any listing.

Why are properties on the website but not available?
Because the listing broker is responsible for updating the status on each of their exclusive listings. They're many reasons that's not always done quickly. A property may have an accepted offer but the sales agreement hasn't been executed so the property cannot be updated to 'under contract' or 'pending'. Or a property may have expired and is in the process of being renewed but that requires forms and multiple signatures as well as approval before it goes live again. And of course the same is true for a property being cancelled by the owner and removed from the MLS; it's likely to take a few days for the site to be updated.

What to do about it?
Do your searches directly on the Bahamas MLS website and if the user experience isn't your cup of tea then use our website www.bettermcrbahamas.com to search for properties. Work with a responsive agent that you like and trust and they will do all the leg work running down the status of the properties you're interested in. In my experience, agents work really well together and we can very quickly call or message each other to confirm the status of a listing.

What about open listings?
That's another kettle of fish. There is no central registry on open listings so it's really up to the owner to advise all the agents who have the listing about any changes. You can imagine how much fun that is for the owner. 

Don't get frustrated. Get on the phone and give me a call!