How do commercial realtors advertise multifamily property? We hear this often from new investors. People who are familiar with residential real estate often wonder why there is no single place to find these listings, like there is with residential homes.
There are several reasons for this, and once you understand them, it becomes easier to know where to look and how to avoid missing opportunities.
Why Multifamily Properties are Not Listed on the MLS
Multifamily properties, in general, are not advertised through MLS networks. The first reason is that MLS systems are not set up to properly advertise commercial property.
The fields, criteria, and websites that those systems feed into, such as Zillow, are designed for residential homes. They are not built to handle unit counts, income information, or operating details. Because of that, commercial realtors typically do not use MLS platforms for multifamily listings.
Another important reason is cooperation. MLS systems are based on the expectation that brokers will cooperate with one another. In the multifamily world, this is not common practice. Many multifamily brokers represent sellers only and do not want to cooperate with other brokers acting on behalf of buyers. That structure does not align well with how MLS networks operate.
Geography also plays a role. MLS systems are highly regional. Commercial realtors, however, often service much larger areas than residential agents. To fully cover their market, a commercial broker might need to join multiple MLS networks, which can be inefficient and costly.
Where Commercial Realtors Actually Advertise
So, if multifamily properties are not on the MLS, where do commercial realtors advertise multifamily property?
In many cases, listings are placed on the broker’s own website. This allows the broker to market the property through their existing network. Some brokers, however, do not even advertise certain listings publicly at all.
Because of this, it is important for buyers to establish relationships with the major multifamily brokers in their market. Some of the most important listings may never be advertised publicly and are instead shared directly with known buyers.
Using Major Commercial Listing Websites
Another method is to research several major commercial listing websites. There is no single website that shows every multifamily property for sale.
LoopNet is one of the most common and widely used platforms. However, brokers must pay a substantial fee to list properties there. Because of the cost, many brokers choose not to use LoopNet, especially if they already have interested buyers.
As a result, a property may not appear on LoopNet but could show up on another website, such as Crexi. This is why it is important to check all major websites that service your market rather than relying on just one source.
If you are trying to understand how commercial realtors advertise multifamily property, the key takeaway is that each website only shows part of the market. None of them show everything.
Making the Search Easier
There is no single place where a buyer can go to find all multifamily properties for sale. Listings are spread across broker websites, third-party platforms, email distributions, and private networks.
In our market, we provide a list of all active properties we are able to locate to buyers and sellers we work with. In many other markets, investors must do this research on their own. That process can take a significant amount of time and effort.
While there is no perfect solution, there are a few ways to make the process more manageable:
- Check major commercial listing websites and set up listing notifications
- Maintain active relationships with the major multifamily brokers in your market
- Make sure you are receiving brokers’ email updates when new properties become available
These steps will not guarantee that you see every deal, but they will significantly reduce the chances that you miss an opportunity.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how commercial realtors advertise multifamily property explains why finding these listings can feel challenging. The absence of a centralized system means buyers need to be proactive, thorough, and relationship-driven.
Many investors we work with appreciate having clarity around where multifamily properties are actually marketed and how to stay informed. If you are looking for real estate in Pennsylvania or Maryland, please reach out to us. We are always happy to help you navigate the market and identify opportunities that make sense for your goals.
