Term Tuesday: MLS

A Multiple Listing Service, or MLS, is a service that allows real estate agents to post and view available properties and their market history within their local real estate organization. Using this system, a real estate agent can research available properties that fit their buyers' needs, create a Comparative Market Analysis, or track local real estate trends.

Information available in the MLS is similar to information available on public real estate websites such as Realtor.com, Zillow, or Trulia. A benefit of an MLS, however, is that agents can safely provide and access confidential information such as gate codes, lock box combinations, or tenant information.

The local MLS's for Southern California are Sandicor (San Diego) and CRMLS (California Regional Multiple Listing Service), which is the largest MLS in the country.