Call Forwarding for Brokerless MLS Listings

Call forwarding is an optional service offered by Brokerless that allows buyers contacting a listing through third-party real estate websites to reach the seller directly by phone.

📞 Call Forwarding Explained

Call forwarding routes incoming phone calls from third-party real estate websites to the seller’s preferred phone number.

For Brokerless listings, the seller’s phone number is visible to licensed agents inside the MLS. However, when listings are syndicated to sites like Zillow and Realtor.com, seller phone numbers are typically not displayed.

Instead, those sites show the Brokerless broker phone number. Call forwarding ensures that calls placed to that number are forwarded directly to the seller so buyers can still reach the owner without delay.

🔁 How Call Forwarding Works

  1. The listing is presented using the Brokerless broker phone number
  2. Licensed agents logged into the MLS can access the seller’s phone number through broker/private remarks or showing instructions
  3. Third-party sites like Zillow and Realtor.com display the Brokerless broker profile phone number instead of the seller’s personal number
  4. Callers are briefly asked to search by street number or ZIP code so the call can be routed to the correct listing
  5. The call is then forwarded directly to the seller’s phone
  6. The seller sees the caller’s phone number with full caller ID

From the caller’s perspective, the call is briefly routed through prompts and then connects normally. From the seller’s perspective, the call rings like any other incoming phone call.

🏡 Who Uses Call Forwarding?

  • Brokerless customers using flat fee MLS listings
  • Listings presented by Brokerless and syndicated to third-party websites
  • Sellers who want buyer calls from sites like Zillow and Realtor.com routed to their phone
  • Brokerless sellers who manage buyer inquiries directly

Call forwarding is an optional service offered by Brokerless and is only available to Brokerless customers.

✅ Benefits of Call Forwarding

  • Direct contact: Buyers can reach the seller by phone
  • Privacy: The seller’s personal phone number is not shown on third-party sites
  • Caller ID visibility: Sellers see who is calling
  • Faster responses: No delays caused by contact forms or intermediaries

❓ Call Forwarding FAQs

Is call forwarding required?
No. Call forwarding is optional and not required to list a property with Brokerless.

Do agents still see my phone number?
Yes. Licensed agents logged into the MLS can access the seller’s phone number through the private remarks and showing instructions, and are instructed to contact the owner directly for showings, negotiations, and other inquiries.

Do buyers know the call is being forwarded?
Yes. Buyers are asked to search by street number or ZIP code so the call can be routed to the correct listing. After that, the call connects normally to the seller.

Are calls screened or recorded?
No. Calls are forwarded directly to the seller without screening or recording.

Should I also post my listing directly on Zillow since it’s free?
Usually no. When you list through the MLS with Brokerless, your property already appears on Zillow, Realtor.com, and many other sites. While Zillow doesn’t display an owner’s personal phone number on MLS listings, phone calls to the listing are routed directly to you through our call forwarding system. Posting a separate FSBO listing on Zillow can create duplicate listings or confusion for buyers.