WHAT IS THE MLS?

The Source for Residential Real Estate Listings

A multiple listing service (MLS) is an organization of real estate brokerages that agree to collaborate to better serve the public in all real estate transactions.

The Best in the Northwest

While “the MLS” might sound like a single entity, there are many multiple listing service databases. NWMLS provides the widest real estate network in the Northwestern United States, providing advanced technology and unequalled service to a membership of more than 30,000 real estate brokers in Washington state and beyond.

Properties listed by NWMLS brokers display the three-tree logo on every photo, confirming that the information was directly entered by our membership and meets our high standards of accuracy.

What is the MLS?

The MLS centralizes residential real estate listings, so buyers and sellers have access to current, accurate information about homes on the market, the homes’ values, and other relevant details.

When sellers list a property through the MLS, it ensures maximum visibility for the home among possible buyers and their real estate brokers.

This means both buyers and sellers can make informed real estate decisions. And they can be confident that their brokers are part of a network that provides professional, ethical service to their clients.

Client Products & Services



NWMLS brokers have access top-tier tools for seamless real estate transactions, including cutting-edge searching and listing technologies to help buyers and sellers purchase and sell real estate.

OneHome Client Portal

The secure communications portal helps you and your real estate broker collect and organize your favorite properties. View the most current and accurate details about each property, see listing photos, and use the advanced mapping tools to see street and satellite views.

ShowingTime Mobile App

Download the ShowingTime app to see and manage your home’s showing appointments online and communicate with your broker. ShowingTime maximizes the number of qualified buyers touring homes and allows buyer’s brokers to schedule showings at times that work for their clients.

Mobile Apps for Buyers & Sellers

Search for new homes, communicate with your broker, or even manage your home’s showing appointments using Northwest MLS mobile apps. View the latest information about listed properties, including school information, local businesses, and more.

Advanced Key & Key System

Your listed home will be secured using the latest technology in keybox systems. Electronic keyboxes make it easy for NWMLS brokers to show homes at any time that is convenient for both the seller and the buyer. To make sure there are no surprises, keyboxes can be programed to only open during times that the seller has approved. Your broker can access your home’s showing details quickly using online activity reports.

Electric Forms & Signature Services

Quickly sign real estate transaction documents with Authentisign. Authentisign is a secure, online signing service that enables you and your broker to sign paperwork electronically.

Listing & Selling Process

When looking to sell your home, make sure you have a trusted expert to guide you through the process. NWMLS provides the widest real estate network in the Northwestern United States.

Listing for the Right Price

NWMLS member brokers have access to decades of real estate statistics and have the ability to generate customized reports to help guide clients in their real estate journey. Your broker will look at the quality and condition of recent sales of comparable properties to create a solid listing price for your home. It is critical to list at the right price in order to get the best offer.

More Eyes On Your Listing

NWMLS member brokers will get your listed home out there for the world to see. With more than 30,000 real estate brokers in over 2,300 real estate companies, your listing will appear on thousands of websites!

Accuracy Matters!

Properties listed by NWMLS member brokers display the three-tree logo on every photo, confirming that the information was directly entered by our membership and meets our high standards of accuracy.

Safe & Simple Showings

The NWMLS electronic key and keybox system provides safe and secure showings between the hours you choose. Your broker can also share an online showing schedule mobile app with you, allowing you to see and approve showing requests. Ask your broker for detailed reports of your home’s showing activity.

Professionalism

As a not-for-profit, member-owned organization, NWMLS member brokers follow strict guidelines that ensure cooperation between the buyer and seller’s real estate firms.

Electronic Signature Service

Don’t worry if you are out of town or on the go, you can use an electronic signature service to digitally sign purchase and sale forms. You will receive a link to download the signed forms in your inbox once the signing is complete.

Sales Price Recorded

After the sale has closed, your NWMLS member broker will record the sales price and details in the NWMLS database to be accessible to other brokers. The sales information is also recorded at the county assessor’s office, but without all of the images and details available to NWMLS member brokers. Thank you for your help with making the real estate market work!

Who is NWMLS?

The Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) is a member-owned, not-for-profit organization that facilitates cooperation among its member real estate firms. The organization was formed when four innovative multiple listing services joined forces to streamline services for their clients. The organization revolutionized the industry by centralizing real estate listing data and being the first MLS in the country to put this data online.

Originally called the Puget Sound Multiple Listing Association, the name changed in 1996 to Northwest Multiple Listing Service to reflect the growing geographic area served. Today, NWMLS is one of the leading multiple listing services in the country, providing member services to more than 30,000+ real estate brokers in 26 counties in Washington state and beyond. 

Advanced Real Estate Technology

NWMLS provides its member brokers with advanced real estate technology to help them list and sell real estate.

MLS & Property Records Database

Matrix is a property-centric platform that unifies listing data with public records and tax history, giving your broker a 360-degree view of the properties in your market. With decades of data at their fingertips, NWMLS member brokers can advise sellers on the best time to list and how to price their property, which helps buyers make an informed decision before making an offer on their dream home.

Online Forms & Electronic Signatures

TransactionDesk is a secure, online forms platform and document storage system. The service includes online forms, document management, cloud storage, electronic signatures.
TransactionDesk is integrated with Matrix, allowing NWMLS member brokers to create a sale transaction with a single click from any listing.

Accurate Real Estate Data & Statistics

NWMLS member brokers have access to decades of real estate statistics and have the ability to generate customized reports to help guide you through your real estate journey.

find a broker

30,000+ Regional Brokers

Ready to Serve.

find a home

10,000+ Listings

Find a Home

Back to top