What does real estate actually look like without an MLS?
In this episode of Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered, Todd Cutter, broker-owner of 2Costa Rica Real Estate, explains how real estate works in countries where agents operate without centralized property data, standardized addresses, or a shared marketplace.
Cutter shares what it’s like to build a successful brokerage firm in Costa Rica, how agents work together without a traditional MLS, and why reliable data and collaboration are more important than most agents realize. The conversation also touches on international buyers, the second home market, and lifestyle changes that are causing more Americans to consider Costa Rica.
If you want to understand what real estate would be like without the MLS and why it matters, this episode is for you.
highlights
Cutter explains how agents manually create comps, how brokerages help sell listings, and why choosing the right agent is even more important when reliable data is hard to find. In markets where MLS is not fully implemented, relationships, reputation, and local knowledge are the most valuable tools an agent can have.
But this conversation goes beyond Costa Rica.
Cutter also shares insights into global migration trends. Why are more Americans paying attention to international real estate? And what agents around the world can learn about patience, relationship building, and long-term business growth.
Learn:
What real estate would look like without the MLS Why centralized listing data protects buyers and sellers How agents work together in a market without shared systems The role of referrals and global networks in the second home market Why patience and intentionality still win in real estate
If you’ve ever wondered what the industry would be like without MLS, this conversation provides real-world perspective.
Connect with Todd Cutter on LinkedIn. Check out 2Costa Rica Real Estate on Instagram and 2costaricarealestate.com.
Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered is currently available exclusively on Inman. Enjoy agent and team-focused content every Monday and leadership interviews every Wednesday. Listen on Apple or Spotify.
James Dwiggins is co-CEO of NextHome, Inc. and co-host of Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered.
Keith Robinson is co-CEO of NextHome, Inc. and co-host of Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered.
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