Help! How do appraisers get access to MLS data Or other listing, sale price, type of loan data

[Badlands]

Best tip from another thread was using the register of deeds for financing information. I did not realize I could get loan/financing, info from the register of deeds. Zillow, realtor.com, homeowners, and the county (many have all of their info online) are all resources I have been using. I get some info from local agents, several of them put their MLS info on Zillow. The questions I cannot easily answer are how many "listings" were there 3 months ago or 9 months ago in some areas because that appears to be completely in the hands of MLS. It seems to me that some of the data required in USPAP for the market analysis are dependent on a private entity (MLS) which is completely inconsistent from one area to the next in terms of access, cost, and available data.

 

[AppraizerZ]

You would think after being mentored and working with a supervisory appraiser in the area, trainee would know the basics of how to obtain MLS and other sources to do appraisals.
It is the fundamental procedure in getting good comps.

I don't think this is very helpful. My mentor did nothing to show me how to gain my own access to MLS and depending on your area, it is not a simple task. From what I have learned: An appraiser needs to join a brokerage, once affiliated with a brokerage he/she can apply to a realtors association of the area where you need access, once you have joined the realtors association, you will need to pay National, State, and Local Association dues. Once you have paid the dues(In my area it is thousands of dollars), the local association will issue your own Username and Password. I hope that helps and possible answers some questions. Good Luck!

 

[TMG]

Most MLS have "Appraiser Memberships".

Your data source is Zillow? Heavens to Betsy.

 

[Overimprovement]

I don't think this is very helpful. My mentor did nothing to show me how to gain my own access to MLS and depending on your area, it is not a simple task. From what I have learned: An appraiser needs to join a brokerage, once affiliated with a brokerage he/she can apply to a realtors association of the area where you need access, once you have joined the realtors association, you will need to pay National, State, and Local Association dues. Once you have paid the dues(In my area it is thousands of dollars), the local association will issue your own Username and Password. I hope that helps and possible answers some questions. Good Luck!

Have you talked directly to the president(s) of the MLS's involved? Be blunt with them--you are willing to work the area but at thousands of dollars it is not financially worth your while. Ask them if they want their deals to close faster.

Most MLS's I have seen do require NAR membership (which I think sucks but that's another thread and just a cost of business), but not sure I've ever heard requiring one to actually join a brokerage, or to become a realtor. Membership in NAR does not make one a realtor. You need a sales license for that.

If that doesn't work well--talk to several realtors by phone or by lunch in the areas you feel like you want to work--again, be direct. I have found the president of an MLS is rarely the most influential--tends to be the top producers. I served as treasure on a local MLS board for a year, and have a good bit of insight into their workings. They mostly want to protect their realtors, but also they realize without realtors they are out of business.

 

[sputnam]

Typically, the Board of Realtors controls the MLS for the area. You want access, you have to go through the Board. It's usually not cheap and they make you go through orientation. If you don't want to do that, it's as Overimprovement says.... you have to make friends with people who have access.

 

[J Grant]

Most MLS systems list properties within several adjacent counties

If the OP does not belong to any MLS that is a problem

 

[The Warrior Monk]

IMHO, the easiest solution is to simply get a salesperson's license. I don't know about your state, but in NY it is actually very inexpensive to have a salesperson's license; less than $200 per two year cycle between both the education and the license renewal. Then you can simply gain access through the office that you are affiliated with at what the fee for your account is. I recommend picking an out-of-area office, or a low-volume office in your core are, so as to avoid potential conflicts.