How Agents Use PropStream Alongside the MLS to Win MORE Listings

Disclaimer: PropStream does not offer legal advice. This article is for informational purposes only. Always follow applicable real estate marketing, licensing, and outreach regulations.

If you’re like most agents, you probably start with the MLS to run comps, analyze properties, and research the market. But if you’re trying to uncover new seller opportunities, the MLS can only take you so far. Agents who have refined their marketing strategy and maintain a full pipeline take things a step further with supplemental tools like PropStream.

Read on to learn how combining PropStream with the MLS can help you reach sellers faster and score more listings.

What Is the MLS in Real Estate?

The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a network of local databases that include active listings, pending properties, and historical sales. Licensed real estate agents and brokers pay a regular fee to access the MLS so they can:

• List properties
• Find homes for buyers
• Run comps
• Research marketing trends

How PropStream + MLS Can Help You Get More Listings

Since the MLS is updated in real time, it often has the most recent property data, making it a valuable resource. That said, it doesn’t always contain all the information and features agents need. For example, the MLS rarely shows off-market or For Sale By Owner (FSBO) listings—a rich source of leads for seller agents.

Using a comprehensive, aggregated real estate data tool alongside the MLS can elevate your research and marketing efforts. Here are a few ways to do that with PropStream.

1. Get Reliable Data From Multiple Sources

PropStream pulls not only from the MLS but from the public record as well. This means its aggregated data is both up to date and comprehensive, giving agents a multi-sourced view of the market and comps.

Alternative information sources are vital for agents looking for off-market transactions. Gathering additional information also gives agents a more accurate picture of a property’s value.

2. Access More Search Filters and Pre-Built Lead Lists

Combing through endless pages of listings can take hours. While the MLS has a few basic search filters, PropStream’s 160+ filters help you find motivated sellers faster, including:

• Vacant or distressed properties
• Expired, FSBO, or off-market listings
• Long-term, high-equity homeowners
• Homeowners facing financial hardship, such as pre-foreclosure

You can also use PropStream’s Lead Lists to find specific demographics, like Senior Owners, Tired Landlords, Zombie Properties, and more.

3. Leverage a Built-In Suite of Marketing Tools

The sooner you reach out to a lead, the better. Research shows that 80% of home sellers hire the first agent they speak with, and only 12% talk to two.

If you rely on the MLS alone to find leads, you then have to scour the internet for their contact information—and there’s no telling if what you find will be accurate.

On PropStream, though, you can save the qualified leads you find to marketing lists, then automate them to get notified of new opportunities as they roll in.

Next, you can start a campaign by collecting contact information via skip tracing* and reach out using email, postcards, and cold-calling—all within the same platform.

4. Streamline Property Analysis With PropStream Intelligence

Analyzing properties on the MLS is a painstaking process. Some agents do this by adding each relevant data point into a spreadsheet one by one. From there, they run calculations to assess a property’s investment potential and compare it to other listings.

On PropStream, this process is much simpler.

The PropStream Intelligence (PSI) Assistant uses AI to sort through property details, helping you determine a home’s potential in seconds. If you work with investors—or buyers who want to maximize their return—this tool is particularly useful.

The PSI Assistant opens like a chat box on the Property Details page, allowing you to ask questions, identify key data points instantly, or run comps without interrupting your workflow.

Pro Tip: Learn how to use the PSI Assistant, and get a list of sample questions to experiment with.

How to Know if PropStream Is Right for You

When it comes to using the MLS by itself or supplementing with real estate data software, there’s no one right answer. Ultimately, it depends on what works best for you and your schedule, budget, and business goals.

For example, if you view real estate as a hobby or your network is strong enough to fill your pipeline consistently, relying on the MLS may be sufficient for now. But if sourcing high-quality leads quickly, streamlining your outreach, and winning listings at scale are a top priority for you, consider adding an aggregated real estate data platform like PropStream to your marketing toolbelt.

*PropStream engages an independent third party to perform skip-tracing.