Charleston County Flex MLS Access

[Rrats17]

Hi,

I'm reaching out to any appraiser in the Charleston County area of South Carolina, including Dorchester and Berkeley Counties also. I am looking for advice on how to access the FLEX MLS system that handles these counties. The MLS board will not grant me access as I am not a realtor in the state. Does anyone know of other ways to gain access to the MLS or would anyone be willing to share there access? I'd be willing to share the costs that are associated with access to the MLS. Please send me a message or respond to this thread if you can provide me with some direction to resolve this matter.

Thank you!

 

[JTip]

Providing your 'intended use' with the data may help you make a connection. Are you looking for data to help with grandma's estate, interested in a property you are looking to purchase or are you doing desk reviews and need comp data?

 

[Rrats17]

Sure.

I'm relocating to the area over the next few weeks and will be transferring my business into the state. I have my South Carolina State Certified Appraiser license in place and once I get set up in state I'll also transfer my real estate sales person license down as well. However for the sales person license I'll have to take the SC state portion of the exam in order to transfer my license.

The long and short of it is that I will be operating my business from Charleston and am sending out feelers for advice on how to gain access to the MLS without having my sales person license.

 

[JTip]

Well, I see two approaches. Both would require you to seek the answers from the MLS.

As an appraiser: Can you buy access as a Certified Appraiser? Do you have to become a Realtor® (meaning 'a member of the association of Realtors' and not a generic term for a salesperson) to join the MLS as a prerequisite? Fees depend on that particular MLS. I personally have access as an appraiser BUT I had to join the NAR (and pay national and local dues) and become a Realtor®. I am NOT a broker or salesperson but I am a Realtor®. I had to pay the full fee to join, similar to a broker and enjoy the membership title of 'Designated Realtor®' with full voting rights. Some MLS offer a lower rate for appraisers with MLS access only, no voting rights or opportunity to serve on boards or committees.

As a salesperson: Join up with a broker, pay a simple monthly access fee and nominal annual due.

I see another phone call to the MLS in your future.......

 

[DonRico]

Rats --
You can join the Trident MLS as an Appraiser without going thru the Salesperson routine. It will cost you the same fees as the Realtors pay -- but you will not have to take the Realtor's Test or do any of the Realtors Continuing Education (your Appraiser CE is sufficient). Unless you absolutely want to maintain a Salesperson's License......you can get access to the Data.

Where are you moving to in Chuck-town ?? I moved down from Jersey about a year ago and we don't regret it for 1 minute. Leave you Snow Shovel and Ice Scraper back in the Garden State.....you'll have no further use for them down here !!

 

[gregb]

Rats --
You can join the Trident MLS as an Appraiser without going thru the Salesperson routine. It will cost you the same fees as the Realtors pay -- but you will not have to take the Realtor's Test or do any of the Realtors Continuing Education (your Appraiser CE is sufficient). Unless you absolutely want to maintain a Salesperson's License......you can get access to the Data.

Where are you moving to in Chuck-town ?? I moved down from Jersey about a year ago and we don't regret it for 1 minute. Leave you Snow Shovel and Ice Scraper back in the Garden State.....you'll have no further use for them down here !!

Ditto here in Santa Barbara with Flex MLS. Get access to MLS as an Appraiser Affiliate, no real estate license required. Also ditto snow shovel and ice scraper detail!