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As Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) celebrates our 40th Anniversary in 2024, let’s take a look back at how the process of inputting for-sale properties into the MLS database has evolved over the last four decades.
Before the 1980s – Listing Cards & NCR Paper Forms
Before a database was available, real estate brokers used “NCR” (No Carbon Required) paper forms for their transactions, typically filled in by hand. These forms created multiple copies, allowing the broker to provide the duplicates to their clients, their office, and others involved in the transaction as needed. MLS staff transcribed the listing information onto 5×7” listing cards, with the listing information on one side and single image of the property on the other side. These cards were stored at the MLS office, and were copied and then delivered by MLS route drivers to members firms and their brokers. If a listing broker edited the details about a listing, a new card was delivered to member firms, so they could swap out the old card for the new one.
In the late 70s, MLSs migrated from listing cards to providing weekly printed listing books.
Early 1980s – First MLS Database
Around 1980, the first MLS database was created, and listings were input into a computer database by MLS staff. The computer database was used to produce printed listing books weekly, and allowed brokers to perform rudimentary listing searches. By 1984, many brokers preferred using computers to search for listings and NWMLS (then named Puget Sound Multiple Listing Association, “PSMLA”) began producing printed listing books every two weeks instead of weekly.
Early to Mid-1990s – Additional Options for Submitting Input Sheets
With the advent of the internet, a variety of software programs were developed giving brokers access to search for listings online, but the input of listing information was still completed by NWMLS staff. Brokers delivered their new listings and changes to NWMLS (PSMLA) in a variety of ways, including putting a copy into the MLS pick-up and delivery box located at each office, by fax, mail, or hand-delivering their input sheet or changes to the NWMLS office to get their listings to market quickly and easily.
Late 1990s – Additional Listing Input Field Options Added
As NWMLS continued to grow, the field options available on listing input forms were updated to reflect the different areas of coverage. Additional field options were created, such as waterfront high bank, low bank, or no bank, to give brokers additional options to accurately describe the property and its location. Since this time, NWMLS implemented a regularly scheduled review and update of listing input and search options, to ensure that our systems are meeting the growing needs of our membership and their clients.
Early 2000s – Online Listing Input & Xpress Forms
As NWMLS technology advanced, brokers were able to enter listings and listing photos directly into the NWMLS database. Listings could be added to the system at any time, day or night providing up-to-the-minute listing information. NWMLS still provided free listing input services (and still does today!), for brokers who preferred to send in their listing input sheets rather than inputting the data themselves.
At this time, the listing input sheets for most property types were only two pages, with the first page listing the primary information about the property, and the second being specific to the property type (residential, condominium, vacant land, etc.).
Although brokers (or office staff) were still required to fill out the information twice – once into the input sheet and again into the NWMLS database – a brand-new forms product Xpress Forms launched in 2001 made it easy for brokers to access and fill in listing input sheets and save them as PDFs.
2010s – Matrix Listing Input Wizard
NWMLS upgraded to the Matrix system, and revised NWMLS listing input sheets to match the new step-by-step “wizard” input process.
2015 – Accelerated Listing Input Process: TransactionDesk Listing Upload
The one-click Listing Upload feature became available in TransactionDesk, which allows brokers to send listing information directly from a Listing Input Sheet to the Matrix database as an incomplete listing. Brokers can then access the incomplete listing in Matrix to add pictures, supplements, and make the listing active.
2023 – Edit Listings Using the Northwest MLS Mobile App
In addition to the powerful search tools available in the NWMLS mobile app, NWMLS brokers are able to quickly edit the status, price, and remarks for their listings using the app while on the go. Additional advanced features include hotsheets, market statistics, Realist tax data and property/parcel lines. The consumer version of the app offers the same search features and allows brokers to communicate with their clients and track their activities, all from the convenience of a mobile device.
2024 & Beyond
Over the past four decades, NWMLS has consistently introduced cutting-edge technology for listing input and editing, enabling our members to deliver top-tier service during the home buying and selling process. We continually evaluate technology products and are excited about the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) that will further enhance our offerings.
NWMLS is currently developing several improvements that will soon be available. These enhancements will provide our members with superior tools to offer an exceptional buying and selling experience to their clients.