The MLS has made it easier to find you the homes you are interested in.

The MLS (multiple listing service) has created a new stand alone search field that allows an agent to drill down deeper when searching for a home for you. The new search filed allows the agent to select from homes that are listed for sale in Central Florida as; REO/Bank Owned, Short Sale or None of the Above.

1. REO/Bank Owned. Buyers looking for homes that were foreclosed on and are now being sold by the many lenders in this country will want us to select this option.


2. Short Sale. Buyers who are interested in seeing only those homes where the seller is selling subject to a short sale contingency will expect the agent to select this option.


3. None of the Above. Buyers who are not interested in seeing bank owned or short sale listings will want us to search for homes from this category.

Do you have a preference? Let me know and we will create a custom home search designed just for you.

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The MLS requires the signature of the home seller

In order for the listing agent to make changes in the MLS information concerning a home they have listed for sale, the seller must authorize these changes in writing. Changes that would apply include:

• Status change
• Change in price
• Extension of any time frames

The failure of the listing agent to obtain changes to the above or any changes in terms could result in a fine of $500.00. The MLS will accept faxed authorization or an email authorization with an electronic signature from the owner.

Make sure as a seller you authorize any changes in writing for yours and your agents protection.

You can contact me to learn more about listing your home in the MLS.

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- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

Is there a way to search for foreclosures in the MLS?

Investors looking to purchase foreclosed or bank owned homes often end up paying fees to online companies for lists of available properties. Did you know that you can obtain this same information simply by calling your local real estate agent?

In Central Florida our MLS system allows us to search for these types of homes for our customers. Choices offered in our search that would be of interest to investors include:

• Assumable Mortgage
• Bank Owned
• Fixer-Upper
• In Foreclosure
• Owner Will Assist w/ Closing Costs
• Owner Will Consider Financing
• Pre-Foreclosure
• Zoned for short-term Rental

We can provide this information for free to qualified buyers. What are you looking for?

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- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255

No photo - no listing - MLS rules and regulations

The MLXchange Board of Directors passed a new policy that will not allow a listing to go “live” in the system unless there is a picture of the front of the home entered at the same time as the listing data is entered into the system.

Additionally, in the past the MLS contracted a photographer to take a drive by picture of new listings if the agent did not opt out of the option. This is no more.

Agents will now be responsible for taking at least 1 picture of the front of the home and having it ready when the listing is entered.

Why do agents have trouble with the concept that pictures are worth a thousand words? Why must they be threatened with fines or delays with uploading data for failure to enter pictures? Are the sellers aware that they are receiving less than extraordinary service by the failure of their agent to understand the marketing importance of photographs?

Come on agents, take the picture, no check that, take the 10 pictures of your listing that the MLS allows you to upload. Your seller, potential buyers and your fellow agents will appreciate it.


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- Greg Staker - Watson Realty Corp. - 407-304-0255