Anna Maria Island Real Estate Sales Blog

New Mid-Florida Regional MLS Debuts

Starting yesterday, Manatee County Realtors are using a new provider for Multiple Listing Services, Mid-Florida Regional MLS (MFRMLS).

On the one hand, it will now be possible for Realtors to search each others' listings from Orlando to Tampa to Venice.

On the other hand, it's not a perfect system, there seem to be some problems importing listings and historical data, using a new nomenclature and sorting format, and the inevitable learning curve that acompanies any big new software switch.

So for those of you who are used to the old way, the old reports and the familiar look of information provided by the old system, the new MFRMLS will be somewhat shocking. The information does not appear in the same position, so that means agent and client will both be hunting and pecking for important data such as square footage, lot size, condo fees and so forth. Only 10 photos may be loaded at one time. There's a way to add five more photos, but I have not yet figured out how to do that. Tax info shows in a different format, too, and the interface is clunky compared to the old, Rappatoni MLS system.

But all things can be dealt with in the short term, and it may be possible that all the problems agents are now having will turn out later to be but a bump in the information highway.

Time will tell about the MFRMLS system. Just like with the market....

John