Houses not on MLS

Does anyone know how you find houses not listed on MLS?

1. Do I just drive around the areas I am looking in?

2. Do I contact random REA and see what they have to offer?

My parents said this is how they found their house. They apparently did option #2.

Any other thoughts or insights into this?

TIA!

Re: Houses not on MLS

Since the market is so slow most houses are on MLS and not listed exclusively, when the market was so good it was easier to sell a house w/o having it on MLS but now it is not so easy

Re: Houses not on MLS

You can go to the individual realtor websites like Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Remax, Weichert, etc. Sometimes they have exclusive listings that are not on MLS.

Re: Houses not on MLS

yea go to individual agent sites, i have only seen a few not listed on MLS that are for sale. The majority properties not listed on MLS are FSBO i find and that is more or less a drive around and take down phone numbers off of signs thing.

Re: Houses not on MLS

get a buyers agent to work on your behalf....

and/or

also drive around on saturdays and sundays between 12 and 4 in the neighborhoods you like and look for houses not listed and FSBO, and maybe you will hit big and find an open house

most agents will put their listings on MLS to reach more prospective buyer, only exclusive neighborhoods and estate houses tend to list privately.....or at least this was our experience


good luck!!!!!!

Re: Houses not on MLS