Bye, Bye, MLS Areas!

Searching By Neighborhood Names

No, the map (at right) isn't some sort of alternate zip code for Hennepin County.

Actually, come to think of it . . . it is.

For Realtors.

Unbeknownst to (most of) the public, the Twin Cities Multiple Listing Service ("MLS") database splits the metro and outlying areas into 139 districts.

So, on MLS, Realtors looking for something by Lake of the Isles would search under MLS area 300.

That's in addition to searching by custom map, zip code, price range, and home attributes.

"Name that Neighborhood!"

Which is kind of the problem for MLS areas: they've been superseded by more powerful (and customizable) search criteria.

So, by the end of year, they're going to be gone.

In their place will be neighborhood names (Linden Hills, Country Club, Fern Hill, etc.)

Which makes intuitive sense.

The only catch I see is that not every neighborhood is easily defined -- and not every home is in a defined neighborhood.

Just to take two examples:

--in Golden Valley, the area east of Lions Park and west of North Tyrol Hills is really part of neither. What will it be called under the new system?

--Ditto for the area west of Cedar Pass and east of Bent Tree in Minnetonka.

People old enough recall a game show called "Name that Tune."

Get ready for the real estate equivalent: 'Name that Neighborhood!'

"Out of Bounds" Showing Directions

Showing Directions as
Marketing Strategy

One of the most famous lines in sales is "always be closing" ("ABC").

Less well-known -- but equally important -- is "always be marketing."

I was reminded of that yesterday when I was showing homes to Buyers yesterday in the West suburbs.

"Out of Bounds" Showing Directions

Prior to meeting clients to tour "For Sale" homes, Realtors will typically print a map with all the homes they'll be visiting.

However, once the Realtor gets close to a particular home, it's common to consult the MLS listing info and follow the listing agent's directions.

Which I did.

About halfway through my (especially scenic) drive through Cedar Pass -- a newer, upper bracket neighborhood in Minnetonka -- I realized what the listing agent was up to.

On the west side of the "For Sale" home -- the more convenient and closer approach -- is a neighborhood of older, more modest homes.

On the east side is Cedar Pass.

Best foot forward, indeed.

P.S.: And no, I don't think such a tactic is out-of-bounds (pun intended); it's actually very good marketing!