What is MLS (Multiple Listing Service)?
MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is a collaborative database system operated by regional real estate boards where member brokerages list properties for sale and access listings from other members.
The Multiple Listing Service is a shared database maintained by regional real estate boards that allows member brokerages and their agents to list and search residential, commercial, and other properties across defined geographic areas. In Ontario, boards like the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB), which serves the Greater Toronto Area, and others across the province operate and update MLS systems with current listing information.
Access to MLS is restricted to licensed brokerages and their agents who hold membership or have agreements with their regional board. When a property is listed through an MLS member brokerage, that listing becomes available to all other member brokerages and agents within the same board territory. This shared access encourages cooperation among residential sales agents and brokerages, allowing buyers and sellers to benefit from a consolidated view of available properties rather than searching multiple offices individually.
MLS data includes property details, photos, sale history, and other information brokerages use to market and compare homes. The database is updated regularly as listings are posted, changed, or sold, creating a near real-time reflection of the local market. Regional boards set rules governing what information appears on MLS, how long listings remain active, and how disputes between brokerages are resolved.