If you are looking to buy real estate in the Salt Lake area then the best place to start is by searching the Wasatch Regional MLS. This article provides an overview of the MLS's features and what services your Realtor can provide you through the MLS.
First let me explain what an MLS is, and how they are used. MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service, and is a repository for all past and present real estate broker property listings. There are two interfaces into the MLS one used by Realtors, and another limited interface used by the public. When a property is listed for sale, its details are entered onto the MLS by the real estate brokerage. The public interface gives the buyer an ability for search for homes based on a number of specific criteria, for example price, area, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms etc. The broker / Realtor interface offers a far greater level of functionality, with the ability to pull reports, see additional property information, view properties that are under contract, have been sold or withdrawn from the market, view property sales prices etc. Two things you will not find on the MLS are rental properties and FSBO's (For Sale By Owners).
But which MLS system do you need to access? Unlike other U.S. States were there are dozens of MLS's, if you are looking to purchase homes in Utah there are only three from which to choose. If you are seeking property in the north of Utah (Davis County, Salt Lake County or Utah County) then the only MLS you will need to access is the Salt Lake City MLS (Wasatch Front Regional MLS). If on the other hand you are interested in buying property in Summit County then you should search the Park City MLS. The third MLS covers the south part of Utah, providing services for St George and other southern Utah cities.
The public interface for Wasatch Front MLS is an invaluable tool for people looking to buy Salt Lake real estate, but there occasions when you will need your Realtor to use the extended functionality provided in their version. For example, if you want to find out the value of your current home, or if you find a home you are interested in and want to know if it is reasonably priced. Another piece of functionality available to Realtors is the ability to setup a Auto Hot Sheet. This functionality allows buyers to receive property listings in their email based on a number of criteria. For example, a buyer may want to see all 2-storey homes with five bedrooms, between $250,000 and $300,000, in Salt Lake City. Once setup an Auto Hot Sheet will email the buyer all listings matching the criteria, it will perform this check everyday so that any new listings or listings where the price has been changed are sent to the buyer. This obviously is a great advantage to buyers, who will save time performing their own searches and receive details of new property listings as soon as they are entered onto the MLS.
