Accurate Count of Active MLS Listings

I vented my frustration on Facebook the other day. About the number of wonderful buyers that I am working with and not able to get them closed on a property. HELP!!! I screeched in written format.

The post brought to head a funny little thing that many are presumably missing......

What shows as active in the MLS, isn't truly 'Active'!

How could that be you say? Hmmm.....well, an example here:

15 homes on my buyers favorites list. About 1/2 of them are showing as taking Back-up offers. Of those remaining ones that are supposed to be truly active they are (1) Appointment Only with Agent or Occupant .....and they never return your phone calls to show (2) Drive-By Only, Write offer subject to interior inspection...they always are. (3) So obscenely listed at a low price, to get any offer submitted to the bank, they get buyers unrealistic hopes up. (4) Or, they already have an offer at the bank and are closing escrow in 3 days the agent just neglected to change the status in the MLS.

So, when we see almost 1300 homes available for sale? Don't get excited....sorry. In a normal market, that would be a beautiful, healthy inventory. In this one? Hah!, maybe 700 - 800 are really available for sale......