Portland Real Estate and the RMLS
Updated 10/2024.
You hear us mention the RMLS on this blog when we cover the Portland Real Estate Market monthly and reference the RMLS Market Action report. But what is RMLS, and what can they do for you, a Portland area real estate buyer or seller? And how is RMLS different than an MLS?
RMLS and MLS Explained
Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a private database created and maintained to help the public and the real estate industry as a whole, buy and sell properties. The MLS takes in the information provided by real estate agents and other sellers and then syndicates that data out to tens of thousands of public for sale search websites, typically using a technology called IDX. The MLS also helps real estate agents (and others who have membership access to the MLS) to see exclusive coming soon properties for sale, gain access to selling agents’ contact information, obtain showing instructions to access to properties listed for sale, and more. Before Zillow, Craigslist, and even the internet, the MLS was the original source for accurate information on real estate for sale.
There is an MLS for every geographic region in the country. As of 2024, there are 600 nationwide. RMLS™ stands for Regional Multiple Listing Service and is specific to Oregon and Southern Washington. It used to be the largest Realtor-owned multiple listing service in the Pacific Northwest but is no longer Realtor-owned. Today it has a board comprised of:
- National Association of Realtor subscribers representing the company’s shareholders
- A Service Advisory Committee (SAC) that represents subscribers who belong to NAR associations that are not shareholders.
Though the RMLS covers the Pacific Northwest, it isn’t the only MLS in the area. There are three major MLS systems (RMLS, WVMLS, MLSCO), and Washington has at least two (RMLS and NWMLS). Why so many? MLSs are formed from local associations that grow independently and aren’t limited to specific geographies, which can cause them to overlap. Learn why it is important to always list your home or property for sale on multiple MLS systems at once, and why we do so.
Before RMLS in Portland, home sale information was only available through individual brokerages, and there was nowhere to go for a complete directory of all the homes on the Portland market. I’ve been selling in Portland since 2003, and can explain why it makes such a big difference to be listed on more than one MLS here. Whenever we sell a home in Oregon, we list on 3 MLS systems, and in SW Washington, we list on 2 MLS systems.
How the RMLS Has Evolved Over the Years, RMLS History
RMLS has been around for over 30 years and has come a long way since the days of paper books. It now has over 16,000 users and services 21 of Oregon’s 36 counties. It also provides supplementary services for an additional five counties. Let’s look at how this Portland real estate cornerstone has grown over the years, especially with developing technology.
The Beginning
Since its launch in 1990, RMLS began as “The Book,” a physical listing that stayed in demand well into 1998. This book listed properties starting in just five Oregon counties, a far cry from the impressive 21 counties RMLS now services. Those five counties were around the Portland metropolitan area, meaning RMLS has serviced Portland since the beginning.
“The Book,” which replaced word-of-mouth and newspaper ads as the primary way that real estate buyers and sellers heard about homes for sale. It listed every home being sold in the state of Oregon and Southern Washington. In the 1990s, these books came out twice a week – that’s a lot of paper!
The first RMLS listing launched in May of 1991, with nearly 3,500 realtors subscribed to “The Book” service. While this amount of subscribers pales in comparison with the 16,000 users today, it was 75% of available subscribers, marking a turning point for RMLS and real estate agents in the Portland area. The idea of 75% of any target customer base subscribing to a single service is hard to imagine, let alone within the first year of the company’s life, marking a notable success for RMLS.
RMLS took to the internet in 1996, and “The Book” was soon a piece of ancient history. Not only did these listings allow for fast access to any Portland-area homes for sale, they also acted as an archive of past listings going back to the start of RMLS.
While RMLS focuses on serving realtors, its services are well suited to assisting the average homebuyer and seller. Through its exceptional records, homeowners can learn more about their home’s history and compare past selling records and surrounding neighborhoods. That’s why working with an accredited real estate agent who can access resources like RMLS is so important.
Users also had access to the RMLS Market Action Report a monthly newsletter we mentioned at the start. It covers the RMLS market area, offering listing information such as pricing and sales.
The RMLS Today
RMLS has come a long way since its inception and acts as a cornerstone of northern Oregon real estate, offerings agents (and other MLS members) comprehensive information about listings, past sales, and tax records both in the office and on the go through their mobile platform. RMLS continues to innovate and expand its services while looking toward the future of Portland-area real estate.
Public and Private Access
Today, the RMLS™ database is all digital. It archives over 2 million listings – around 16,000 are active listings. Around 16,000 users have access to the RMLS through a private (paid-for) login. There used to be a public way to browse the RMLS (a few different ways over the years), but as of now, I don’t know of one. See our article on Where Did RMLS.com Go? for more information.
Local Direct Connections to RMLS Data
Local agent-developed tools such as PortlandHomesforSale.com have direct and complete access to our local RMLS data. Huge national websites like Zillow and Realtor.com have to take in hundreds of different MLS feeds and organize them off one system. This means a lot of the unique local data available in RMLS is cut off and not available when searching national home-for-sale websites like Zillow. This is (one of the reasons) why using a local direct connect to RMLS site like PortlandHomesforSale.com can be more valuable than spending your time on national (dumbed-down) home search sites.
For those who want to dig a little deeper, the RMLS publishes weekly data on lockbox activity, which is an interesting way to keep tabs on the market. Lockboxes are the little devices Portland real estate agents use to access homes without a key. Every time one is unlocked, it means the home is shown to a potential buyer. You can watch lockbox activity fluctuate with the seasons on our monthly Portland real estate market reports.
Mobile Services
Today, their online services include mobile support for both Android and Apple phones, allowing for on-the-go access to their database. These databases include listings, tax records, statistics, and more, giving real estate agents everything they need to provide exceptional service to the Portland area. It also uses Paragon, a system allowing agents and brokers to connect directly with buyers and sellers in real time.
Members can easily access listings by an assigned MLS#. The RMLS offers classes in-person and online to help users get the most out of their subscriptions.
An Improved RMLS Market Action Report
This report received an update in 2023 to make it more user friendly. In addition to a new look, it also added more content and resources.
- New charts cover residential trends, sales, price ranges, and the average sold price, square footage, and price per square footage.
- New resources, such as definitions, formulas, and resource links
Work with an RMLS Expert
Don’t forget to talk to someone with real-world expertise and insight that gets beyond the data—contact our top 1% Portland real estate team today (and consider yourself lucky that “The MLS Book” will not be making an appearance). We can help you navigate the Portland real estate market. Also, before I forget to mention, RMLS publishes “coming soon” homes for sale. But only those with a private login (Realtors and MLS members) can see them. Interested in knowing what is coming before it hits the market? Get connected with a top agent today. Give us a call at 503-714-1111 or chat with the bot on this site. We’d love to chat with you!
