Questions for your Realtor, continued

Yesterday, we discussed questions regarding a prospective listing agent's knowledge of your community.
Today, in relation to that topic, the question is "What MLS are you a member of?"  Most people would think this question is irrelevant and assume that if someone is working in the area where your home is located, they definitely would be in that local MLS.  It would surprise you to know how many agents are not members of local MLS systems.  Here in the Naples and Marco Island area of Florida, we have two MLS systems:  The Naples Board of Realtors and the Marco Island Area Association of Realtors.  They each have their own MLS systems and those systems are not connected or share their information.  The reason knowing the answer to this is important question is simple:  You want your home exposed to the Real Estate agents who are most likely to sell your home.  An agent who is only a member of the Naples MLS but lists a home on Marco Island will only list the home in the Naples MLS.  When a Marco Island agent pulls listings to show their clients, they will not know your home is even available for sale and you will miss the opportunity to have it seen and sold.  That's not to say that a Naples agent will definitely not have access to the Marco Island MLS; many are in both the Naples and Marco Island boards just as most of the agents on Marco Island are in both MLS systems.  You just need to specifically ask what MLS(s) your home will be advertised in.  Choose an agent who is a member of more than one MLS.  This will maximize your exposure to other Realtors and increase your chances of getting sold.