MLS access without Real Estate License?

[Edwin Parrilla]

Hi I'm a new member to bigger pockets and I've recently started executing my plan to get my first rental property by the end of this year. I wanted to know if there is any way to get access to the MLS w/o having the real estate license. I've read that a real estate agent could give you access by means of a portal but since I'm not going to be buying until the end of the year I don't want to just tell a realtor to give me access for educational purposes. I would really like to start analyzing real deals and see what's out there in different markets around the country. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Brandon Sturgill]

Hey Edwin, these guys are pretty protective of their data...that said, there are 10,000 individual MLS's...the major metros are controlled by a few big data firms like Core Logic or Flex MLS...our board eliminated shared logins and implemented fines...so, an agent can lose their license by letting an unlicensed individual login under their account (this is a local regulation of course). Our solution was a nominal fee of $99 for an assistants login and use of MLS...there are some more specifics, but that's an example of how things work here, anyway.

In general, I would say agents will be willing to take you on as an assistant if you can add some value...putting up listing signs, adding lock boxes to doors, taking pictures, printing marketing materials, completing video walkthroughs...or something the agent you end up helping needs...could be data analysis or other services as well.

Best of luck