Touting a Secondary Area on MLS

Defining "Location"

One of the ways Twin Cities agents search for properties for their clients -- at least until the end of this year -- is by "MLS area."

So, "300" roughly corresponds to Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun; "391" to St. Louis Park; "309" to Southwest Minneapolis (Kingfield, Linden Hills, etc.); and "387" to Minnetonka. (Metro-wide, there are about 100 discrete MLS areas.)

One of the ways overly aggressive agents try to get attention for their listings is by "borrowing" the MLS area of an adjoining, more upscale area.

That's definitely a no-no.

Fortunately, however, there's a legitimate way to tout a nearby MLS area: list it as a "secondary area" (MLS has a field expressly for that purpose).

Experienced, local agents will already know which areas abut which -- but it never hurts to underscore it.