What is MLS Reciprocal Access on RealScout?
In some markets, MLSes may have a reciprocity agreement that also applies to RealScout. In these cases, being a member of a particular MLS also grants you access to listings in another MLS.
How do I know if I have access?
When creating a search alert on RealScout, you will be asked to choose the MLS and Property Class. If you have access to more than one MLS, you will see it as an option.
Click here to read FAQs for region-specific MLS reciprocity information.
How do I access reciprocal MLSes?
When creating a search alert on RealScout, you will be asked to choose the MLS and Property Class. You can also click the “Change” link at the top of search alert settings.
Select “Cross-MLS Search” to create a search alert that returns results from all the MLSes to which you have access. A Cross-MLS search will only use basic fields which can be normalized across the different MLS data feeds. These basic fields include price, beds, baths, and property type, which are standardized across MLS data feeds. However, advanced filters specific to individual MLSs are not supported in Cross-MLS searches, which may lead to differences in search results compared to single-MLS searches.
To create a search alert using Advanced Fields, you must select the specific MLS. If you need to use Advanced Fields across multiple MLSes for a client, then you will need to create separate search alerts for each MLS. Additionally, listing statuses included in your filters can significantly influence search results. For example, excluding statuses like Pending or Sold will limit the listings displayed. This limitation arises because Cross-MLS platforms often aggregate and standardize data fields, which can simplify the data but exclude MLS-specific advanced features.
Can I help my client search listings in multiple MLSes at the same time?
Yes, you can create a Basic search alert across MLSes by selecting “Cross-MLS Search”.
To create an Advanced search alert for multiple MLSes, you will need to create a separate advanced search alert for each MLS. To minimize discrepancies, ensure that your MLS coverage and filters are correctly set, and use the appropriate platform for your search needs. Discrepancies in search results may occur due to differences in data aggregation and filtering criteria between Cross-MLS and individual MLS platforms.
What if I’m a member of more than one MLS?
If you are a member of more than one MLS, then you should have access to all your MLSes regardless of any reciprocity agreements. Please contact support@realscout.com if you do not see an MLS in RealScout for which you are a member.
What’s the difference between a reciprocity agreement and a data share agreement?
A reciprocity agreement between MLSes allows members of each MLS to access data from the other. A data share agreement allows the listings in one MLS to be shared and included in the data feed of the other MLS. In the former, RealScout would still have two separate data feeds. In a data share agreement, you would see data from multiple MLSes in the same data feed.