"Realtor" is a trademark used only by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

I have only been watching the market for the last 4 years or so, but have been a part of 4 home purchases in that time. Seems to me it's a 50/50 split, which you would expect in a competitive market. I would say that the VLS people do navigate the intricacies of this market better.

I've bought from both. MLS realtors told me more about the house. VLS people stand around. One VLS realtor didn't even know the house was a short sale. I did. However many buyers seem to believe the VLS sales people know more.

If you want to know how the MLS sales in TV are doing. This guy does a weekly show that he breaks down sales in TV via the MLS. Lots of slicing and dicing of the sales numbers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKlTnfAuZFs

If buying a new house would use both.

and we call all brands of Tissue "Kleenex" even though "Kleenex" is a trademark of Kimberly-Clark. Of course Kleenex has not lost a recent court case for price fixing either like the NAR just did. Not sure what this has to do with the OPs post.

To answer the OP, I will have a house to sell in 2027, and I am highly torn. I bought a new house in 2014 from VLS after looking at existing homes with MLS AND VLS. My experience was that the VLS agent did not push either and showed me everything I wanted. He even pointed out the upgrades in the existing homes. I bought my second (rental) FSBO. They look like they both sell about the same number. I think the location and the price are the main things no matter who you use. I always wonder how many people do a lifestyle visit and never talk to an MLS agent.......
Ed

A little off topic ,but a story in Boston Globe today a realtor has sold 3 parking spaces in a garage on Beacon Hill for $500,000 , yeas ago when they opened prices started around $10,000 now it’s $ 500, 000 and there’s a long waiting list fo r a space to come open . All over city spaces going for $250,000 and higher people feel I’d your spending a couple of million on a condo why not .. This is why never take a car home to move around in a walkable city

The term Realtor is not just a trademark, like Kleenex. The NAR claims that Realtors are better at selling houses than non-Realtor agents.

Oh the irony…..
Benefits of Joining NAR and Becoming a REALTOR®
Industry recognition: The title of REALTOR® is regarded with considerable prestige because of the strict code of ethics that NAR members agree to abide by. Clients may be more inclined to trust someone who has taken steps to adhere to this code of ethics.

The NAR settled all of their lawsuits for $418 million……….. for lack of ethics….
The real estate industry has long been plagued by 1,000's & 1,000's & 1,000's of low to no skill part time agents who do a handful of deals per year.

But hey, if they pay their NAR dues, they’re the BEST!! It’s so funny because they take the exact same classes and tests but they don’t pay a fee to join NAR so they’re subpar.

If buying new, you’d have to use TV agent. MLS can’t sell new homes in TV

I have had a home listed with VLS for nearly six months and am trying to decide if I want to continue with them or find a MLS agent. Interesting and timely discussion.

You DO realize that NAR stands for the "National Association of Realtors", don't you?

What else would you expect them to claim? That they're worse than the VLS agents? :shrug:

When we were looking at homes to buy we had one of each. Sellers are the one who list with either MLS or TV agents. If you don’t use one of each, you may miss out on your perfect home.

Both.

If it's any help for you, we just sold a house and we used the Villages. First open house on a Sunday, contract on Monday. I don't know if it was just our house or location, but the Pope group didn't give us a feeling of new house verse used.