A Multiple Listing Service (MLS) (also Multiple Listing System or Multiple Listings Service) is a suite of services that (1) enables brokers to establish contractual offers of compensation (among brokers); (2) facilitates cooperation with other broker participants; (3) accumulates and disseminates information to enable appraisals; (4) is a facility for the orderly correlation and dissemination of listing information to better serve broker's clients, customers and the public. A multiple listing service's database and software is used by real estate brokers representing sellers under a listing contract to widely share information about properties with real estate brokers who may represent potential buyers or wish to cooperate with a seller's broker in finding a buyer for the property. The listing data stored in a multiple listing service's database is the proprietary information of the broker who has obtained a listing agreement with a property's seller.
Move.com
Move.com (NASDAQ: MOVE) is a real estate web site, parent company Move, Inc., which also operates Realtor.com. Move provides search tools for rentals and new homes, in addition to operating several subsidiaries. NAR retained a significant equity position, but Homestore negotiated agreements with hundreds of Multiple Listing Servicees (MLSs) and brokerages to secure direct feeds of listings and found itself in a head-to-head competition for listings and traffic with Microsoft’s HomeAdvisor.