This is the first post in a series on how I as a real estate agent in metro Atlanta use various kinds of technology to help my buyer and seller clients with their home transaction.
FMLS (First Multiple Listing Service) – Since the dawn of the internet, the realtor’s access to listing information has been changed forever. I, of course, use the First Multiple Listing Source on a daily (sometimes moment-by-moment) basis. Since that information is now disseminated to dozens of outlets, how is my access different and how does it help buyers and sellers of real estate in Atlanta?
FMLS primarily serves metro Atlanta that is north of I-20. I also have access to Georgia MLS, which serves south Atlanta and some of the more rural parts of the state.
Buyers – I set up daily alerts for my buyer clients that pull homes for sale that meet their criteria. Through my access as a REALTOR®, I have the ability to make a much more narrow search.
Want a four bedroom house with a five car garage in a home that faces west with a master on the main, two kitchens, a Tudor on a one-acre lot that was built in the last 5 years and is hard-coat stucco and is in zip code 30004? Want to be able to say you live 3 miles from the office? I can pull and organize it all.
While I might recommend you have broader search options, I can set searches that are that specific. Then, I receive the same email as my buyer client so I review, even make comments on the listing and then discuss with them.
Sellers – Today’s market can be a tad bit challenging for sellers. My access to FMLS alerts me of homes that are in competition with my listings that have price changes, updates to status, etc. I carefully review the competition to make sure my listings “look” better to buyers….the homes I represent to sell have virtual tours, 24+ photos, and appropriate descriptions written as well as pertinent documents attached to the listing in FMLS to make it easy for buyers and their agents.
I can also run various reports on days on market it takes to sell, average list price to sales price ratio so you can plan for or anticipate your net amount from the transaction, and see the average sales price you may get on your home based on the last 90 days of sales.
Part of my daily regimen is to review Hot Sheets through FMLS. These are short reports that show the pulse of various neighborhoods and areas. By reviewing Hot Sheets each morning, I am well-versed in real estate activity as it happens.
See other posts on real estate Technology.
