What exactly is the MLS?

[Tyler Thrash]

I'm new too all of this and Im wondering where is this MLS everyone is talking about? I searched it and i find, "TheMLSonline.com, mls.com, realtor.com, and zillow.com all kind of say they are MLS. Are they and what is the real MLS everyones talking about?
Thanks

[Manuel A.]

MLS, Multiple Listing Service.

As I understand it, it's just the preferred way agents/Realtors like to put houses on the market and get them noticed. It's a paid service and when sites like realtor.com and zillow.com say the are the MLS, it's just that they are showing you houses on the MLS. I think if they were the, "real" MLS, it'd also be able to show you up to date comps, and be able to do other things to drill down in terms of data. To get access to the "real" MLS I think you need a license, or an agent/Realtor who will let you on his account.

-Manuel