How can I incentivize a real estate agent to give me MLS Assistant Access?

When speaking with real estate agents, it's essential to focus on the relationship before asking for MLS Assistant Access. Be confident, know your value, build rapport, and get to know them. Ask them if they've ever worked with investors and educate them on how beneficial it can be for their business. How you frame the opportunity is very important.

Here are some tips and incentives for agents to provide MLS Assistant Access:

1. You will have them represent you as the buyer on many offers that you’re going to be making on MLS deals (when the listing agent is not representing your offer).
2. You’re going to be aggressively networking with other investors and brokers. This activity gives you access to pocket listings and off-market deals, which you will tell them about in case the deals don't work for you.
3. You'll be the best client and "MLS assistant" that they've ever had. You’ll be digging through the data and looking for comps in EXTREME detail, which takes HOURS and neither you or they want to waste THEIR time “cherry picking” comps that THEY think are good. YOU need the raw data to make the best investment decisions. You don’t want to rely on them since you RESPECT their time and you look at so many properties on a daily basis that it doesn't make sense to bother them every time you need a new CMA (Comparative Market Analysis). You’re basically doing most of the hard work for them. Specifically, you're screening through all the leads, finding good deals, running comps, and determining your offer price. Then, all they have to do is write up offers for you from time to time and make a sales commission. Who could ask for a better client?
4. Try to establish yourself as an unofficial member of their team. Since you don’t have your license and don’t intend on doing so (because you’re a professional investor), you want to partner with a go-to brokerage that can support your endeavors. Know your value. Know that there are other brokers that would LOVE to have someone like you around. 
5. You can offer to have them list all of your flip properties when they do occur. You can tell them you do flip some contracts (wholesale some deals) and you’ll recommend them to your investors / Joint Venture partners as the listing brokerage when the property is rehabbed and ready to sell. 
6. Remind them that working with investors can prove to be very lucrative for them, since you'll be ramping up to multiple deals per month. Whereas a traditional owner-occupant buyer might only complete one transaction every 5-7 years! 
7. Offer to pay them a percentage of your deal profits or a flat rate fee (e.g. $200-$500) on any deals you close. This is to be paid when they are not representing you as the buyer. If they're representing you as the buyer, they'll make a full buyer-side commission, which is typically thousands of dollars in their pocket.
8. Offer to pay their MLS fees in whole or in part is also an excellent incentive. Agents pay on average $50 per month or $155 per quarter to maintain their MLS access. Paying 50-100% of that is a nominal cost to you, and the agent will certainly appreciate it.

Remember, you might use none or all of these above strategies to successfully attain MLS Assistant Access as it's not a one-size fits all approach. 

Now, here are Best Practices for Getting MLS Assistant Access:

• Try to speak with Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agents & Brokers VERSUS “Retail” Agents & Brokers. This is because we want to work with Agents/Brokers that WANT to work with us. *Try to work with & ask small, boutique local brokerages rather than National Brokerages. In general, avoid asking National Brokerages for MLS Assistant Access, such as: Compass, RE MAX, Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams, Berkshire Hathaway, Century 21, Sotheby’s, etc. It’s easier to get MLS Assistant Access from agents/brokers who work for smaller brokerages rather than national brokerages because smaller, local brokerages are less corporate, have less rules, & are more flexible. 
• Don’t expect every Real Estate Agent or Broker to already understand what MLS Assistant Access is. In fact, many Agents/Brokers are unaware it exists! Don’t be alarmed. In these situations, educate them on what MLS Assistant Access is. Begin to position yourself as a potential unofficial member of their team so that in their eyes you are an assistant. *Don’t expect that the first Agent or Broker that you speak with will give you MLS Assistant Access. Expect to speak with multiple Agents & Brokers. Don't expect to get a “yes” your first try. Remember, “Every ‘no’ you get, you are closer to a YES!” 
• Do not just get on an Agents’ or Brokers’ email (distribution) list. This is NOT MLS Assistant Access.

You can still access the MLS information without having MLS Assistant Access using the following resources:

1. You can use Redfin.com, Zillow.com, & even Realtor.com to get access to MLS listings instantly. 

• Pros: Quick, Simple Free. Has a lot of the MLS Listings in the Nation. 
• Cons: More steps to find the Listing Agent’s Contact Information. Doesn’t have access to all of the MLS’ across the Nation. Sometimes there’s a 1-3 Day delay for new listings to be populated onto these sites. How long does this take it take to get access? This is instant. You can go to any of these websites (Redfin.com, Zillow.com, & Realtor.com) right now to start contacting listing agents, making Discovery Calls, & submitting offers. 

2. You can use PropStream for access to MLS data. 

• Pros: Instant access to the majority of MLS Listings in the Nation - about 95%. Helps with comping properties to get an accurate ARV (After Repair Value). Easy to access tax information. Investor-friendly software. Have access to the Listing Agent’s Contact information. Great to use while working on getting MLS Assistant Access. 
• Cons: Doesn’t have about 5% of the MLS Listings in the Nation. Sometimes there’s a 1-3 day delay for new listings to be populated onto PropStream. How long does this take to get access? Instant. Once you sign up, you have immediate access. You can get your first 7 days free to PropStream using the Real Estate Skills link here: https://trial.propstreampro.com/realestateskills/

3. Using a Real Estate Agent’s / Broker’s Personal MLS Login.

• Pros: Full access to the MLS in your area. 
• Cons: An Agent/Broker needs to trust you enough to give you their access to the MLS. You do not have your own login information, and if they change their password without letting you know then you have to reach back out to them to get it. How long does it take to get access? Depends on you finding the right Agent/Broker willing to give you their MLS Login. This isn’t too common, but we definitely have members who have used this approach successfully!