As a home buyer or seller, you may have heard of the "MLS" but have questions about what that term actually means. If that's the case, we're here to help! The following Q&A can help shed a little light on the subject.

1. What is the MLS?
The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is database of property listings. Properties for sale are listed in the MLS by REALTORS®. REALTORS® are a valuable tool in your Austin home search because they have exclusive, direct access to the MLS, which provides them with full property descriptions, as well as additional details about each home, including security codes, tax data and historical information. Though online property searches available to the general public provide basic information about a home—such as the square footage and number of beds and baths—this is only a fraction of the details shown to REALTORS® via the MLS.

2. How does MLS listing content get online?
There are two ways MLS content is distributed online. First, real estate associations can feed property details from the MLS directly to their consumer websites. For example the property search data on AustinHomeSearch.com comes directly from the Austin Board of REALTORS®' (ABoR) MLS.

Second, real estate associations offer tools that allow REALTORS® to feature property listings from the MLS on their personal websites, as well as send their listings to third party websites such as www.zillow.com. Tools provided by real estate associations are directly connected with the MLS; therefore, when they are used as the primary tool in sending listings to other sites, the property data distributed is correct and remains current. That said, third party sites receive data from a variety of other sources, some of which may not distribute information straight from the MLS.

3. Can I trust the information on any real estate agent's website?
Typically only REALTORS®, who can be distinguished by their membership in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), can access the MLS. Therefore, property listings should be accurate if you are visiting a REALTOR®'s website.

4. Are all home search sites the same?
No! Home search sites hosted by real estate associations or by REALTORS® offer the most current and comprehensive property information because they receive data feeds directly from the MLS. Third party home search sites can feature some inaccurate or outdated information because they receive property data from many different sources, some of which do not pull their listings straight from the MLS. Finally, it nearly goes without saying that property listings found on websites such as www.craigslist.com should be viewed with the utmost caution, as there is no guarantee of accurate information or ethical conduct by those posting the listings.

Now that you know a little about the MLS and what makes AustinHomeSearch.com one of the most trusted home search sites, contact a REALTOR® and start browsing for properties today!

Clean floors can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your home-especially to potential buyers who can pick up on the smallest details. While lower-traffic areas, such as guest bedrooms, can be maintained on the monthly basis, entryways, kitchens, living rooms and other high-traffic floor areas should be tended to at least once a week. Below are weekly cleaning tips for various types of flooring

For hardwood floors, first use a broom or vacuum to pick up dust and dirt. Next, go over the floor with a damp mop, as excessive water is damaging to wood. Linda Cobb, The Queen of Clean®, recommends adding several tea bags to hot mop water for a healthy, inexpensive way to clean wood.

For tile and vinyl floors, also sweep or vacuum away dust and dirt first. Then, experts recommend mixing a tablespoon of Borax with a gallon of water to use for mopping. A gallon of plain, warm water also works well. Use a micro-fiber mop on ceramic tile floors for best results and stay away from vinegar-based cleaning products, which can damage your grout.

For carpet, it's helpful to vacuum high-traffic areas more than once a week-perhaps even daily if you're in the process of showing your home. Cleaning experts recommend sectioning your carpet into quadrants and vacuuming each section entirely before moving to the next. Go over these sections multiple times, moving slowly to ensure you pick up as much dirt as possible. The most frequently used areas of carpet should be vacuumed in a criss-cross, overlapping pattern. It's also helpful to take care of spots and spills as they occur.

Tending to floors on a regular basis will help you avoid scrambling to clean up age-old stains or thick layers of dust and dirt before guests arrive in your home. Following the tips above will help you achieve flawless floors in no time!

HGTV is coming to Austin to cast for reality television show My First Place. If you're looking to buy your first home in the Austin area, you could be featured in an episode of the show!

"Fun, high-energy" homebuyers in Austin are encouraged to apply, as long as they are comfortable sharing the personal and financial aspects of their home buying experience.

Selected applicants will be filmed for a minimum of ten days within a three-month period as they go through the ups and downs of finding and securing their first place. They will also receive a special housewarming gift and DVD copy of their episode from HGTV, in addition to a taste of television stardom.

Buying your first home is an experience you won't forget. Applying to be cast for My First Place could be just the way to make your experience even more memorable.

Now that Memorial Day weekend has come and gone and the temperature continues to climb, it feels as if summer is officially upon us. But don't be intimidated by the heat — there are plenty of fun activities to do outdoors. Below are several Austin classics:

Blues on the Green - Don't miss out on this free summer music series, held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. every other Wednesday night June through August. Bring a blanket or chair, put your dog on a leash and head over to Zilker Park's Rock Island (north side of Barton Springs Road) to hear from musical guests such as Alejandro Escovedo and Amy Cook. Feel free to bring a picnic dinner or support the local vendors selling food and drink. Blues on the Green 2010 kicks off on June 9.

First Thursday - Even if you don't live in South Austin, it's worth taking a trip to South Congress Avenue the first Thursday of every month to enjoy the laid-back, block-party feel of this event. During First Thursday, shops between Barton Springs Road and Elizabeth Street keep their doors open until at least 10 p.m., with some offering special discounts and free drinks. Take the whole family to enjoy live music, shopping, tasty treats and Austin's warm summer nights.

Barton Springs Pool --- You haven't had a real Austin summer until you've made it to Barton Springs Pool, located within Zilker Park. Though open year-round, the spring-feed pool water-which hovers around 70 °F-feels especially refreshing during the hot summer months. Make a splash anytime between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Friday through Wednesday.

Zilker Summer Musical - Located across from Barton Springs Pool is the "longest-running outdoor musical production with pay-what-you-wish admission in the United States today" - the Zilker Summer Musical. This event is held at dusk Thursday through Sunday during July and August, featuring family-friendly performances such as "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" and "Beauty and the Beast." The tradition continues in 2010 with performances of "Annie" beginning July 9.