Two Types of People Who See Your Listing
Agents with MLS access can use your listing's seller contact details and showing instructions. Buyers without MLS access generally rely on the contact information and inquiry options displayed on public websites.
Realtors (Licensed Real Estate Agents)
Buyer's agents searching MLS PIN or Cape Cod & Islands MLS use the contact information and showing instructions supplied with your listing to reach you.
An agent can contact you by phone, text or email, as your instructions allow, to arrange a showing, ask questions or discuss an offer. Keep those details current and let the listing brokerage know when they need to change.
Read How MLS PIN Works or our Cape Cod & Islands MLS guide for more about listing information.
Non-Realtors (The General Public)
Unrepresented buyers often find homes on Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin or another public real estate website rather than in the MLS itself.
These websites typically display the listing brokerage's contact information instead of the seller's personal MLS contact details. A buyer can call the listing brokerage's published telephone number to inquire about the property.
Calling the Listing Brokerage
Massachusetts uses an automated property-identification phone system. When a buyer calls the listing brokerage's designated number and enters the property's house number, the system connects the call to the seller. Land listings are identified by ZIP code or MLS number instead.
The optional Call Forwarding upgrade ($50) routes calls to your preferred phone number. Showing Time ($50) is available to help manage agent showing requests by text or email. Review the options with your listing package and keep your preferred telephone number current. See Call Forwarding, Showing Time and package options.
Using Zillow or Realtor.com's Contact Buttons
Zillow's 'Schedule a Tour' and 'Contact Agent' buttons, and inquiry forms on Realtor.com and other websites, are controlled by those websites. Requests sent through them may go to a participating buyer's agent rather than to you or the listing brokerage. Calling the brokerage telephone number is a separate contact path.
Each website controls its layout, contact options and inquiry routing. Telephone call routing does not change where a website sends its own forms or tour requests.
Whose Contact Information Is Displayed on Zillow?
An owner-posted listing and an MLS-syndicated listing may display different contact options. The descriptions below are illustrative comparisons, not screenshots or promises about a particular website's current layout.
Illustrative example — not an actual website
Owner-posted listing
An owner-posted home may show the owner's telephone number or a way to message the owner, depending on the website and listing type.
Illustrative example — not an actual website
MLS-listed property
An MLS listing generally identifies the listing brokerage rather than displaying the seller's personal MLS contact details. Website tour-request and agent-contact buttons may direct buyers to participating agents.
Common Buyer Contact Scenarios
Six situations you may encounter after your listing goes live, and how each contact typically reaches you.
A Buyer's Agent Finds Your Property in the MLS
The agent reads your seller contact information and showing instructions, then contacts you to arrange access, ask questions or discuss the property.
An Unrepresented Buyer Finds Your Property on Zillow
The buyer reviews the listing and can call the published brokerage number. Your personal contact details from the MLS generally are not displayed on the public listing.
A Buyer Calls the Listing Brokerage
The buyer calls the designated brokerage number and identifies the property through the automated system. Homes use the house number; land listings use ZIP code or MLS number to connect the call to the seller.
A Buyer Clicks 'Schedule a Tour'
The request follows the website's own routing. It may reach a participating buyer's agent instead of the seller or listing brokerage, even when telephone call routing is available.
A Buyer Finds Your Property on Realtor.com or Redfin
The website may show brokerage contact information alongside its own inquiry forms. A telephone call and an online form can lead to different recipients.
A Buyer's Agent Wants to Submit an Offer
The agent follows the communication instructions in your MLS listing. You review the offer, negotiate terms and decide whether to accept, with professional advice when needed.
For other listing questions, see our Massachusetts FAQ.
Massachusetts
Agents Contacting You in Massachusetts
You coordinate your own showings, communicate with interested buyers and their agents, and handle offers and negotiations. MLS exposure and telephone routing help people reach you; they do not turn a flat fee listing into full-service representation. Keep your contact details and showing instructions accurate and respond to inquiries about your home.
Review How It Works and how to list on the MLS in Massachusetts for the broader seller process.
Compare Massachusetts packages, or contact us about your property's contact instructions.
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