Realist Tax Records – Accessing Property & Tax Data

Overview

Realist is a property and tax data platform integrated directly into Matrix MLS. It gives MLS Now members access to detailed property records, ownership history, tax assessment data, neighborhood demographics, and more — all without leaving Matrix.

Realist is a powerful research tool for agents when conducting listing appointments, preparing CMAs, or researching properties for buyer clients.

Accessing Realist from Matrix

1. Log in to Matrix at now.mlsmatrix.com.
2. From the top navigation, click Public Records or look for the Realist tab or link in the main menu.
3. Realist will open in a new tab or panel within Matrix.

Note: Realist access is included with your MLS Now membership. No separate login is required — Matrix handles the authentication automatically.

Searching for a Property in Realist

By Address

1. In Realist, use the Search bar at the top of the page.
2. Enter a full or partial property address and press Enter or click the search icon.
3. Select the correct property from the results list.

By Owner Name

1. Click the Advanced Search or filter option.
2. Enter the owner's last name and/or first name in the Owner Name fields.
3. Refine by city or zip code if needed, then run the search.

By Parcel / APN Number

1. Use the Advanced Search and enter the Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) in the appropriate field.
2. Click Search to retrieve the record.

Reading a Property Record

Once you open a property record in Realist, you will see several tabs and data sections:

• Summary — Overview of the property including address, owner name, assessed value, and last sale information.
• Details — Full property characteristics: square footage, lot size, year built, bedrooms, bathrooms, and more.
• Tax Info — Current tax year assessment, tax amount billed, and tax history.
• Sales History — Prior sale dates and amounts for the property.
• Foreclosure / Distressed — Any active foreclosure notices, lis pendens, or distressed status (where available).
• Neighbors — A list of nearby properties and their owners, useful for farming or prospecting.
• Map — A map view showing the parcel boundaries and neighboring properties.
• Demographics — Neighborhood demographic and lifestyle data.

Printing or Exporting a Property Report

1. Open the desired property record in Realist.
2. Click the Print or Export button (usually found near the top of the record).
3. Choose the sections you want to include in the report.
4. Select Print to send to a printer, or PDF to save the report as a file.

Property reports are useful for listing presentations, buyer consultations, or your own research files.

Using Realist for Farming and Prospecting

Realist's neighbor and map tools allow you to identify property owners in a specific area. This is useful for:

• Geographic farming — identifying all owners on a street or in a neighborhood
• Absentee owner searches — finding properties where the mailing address differs from the property address
• Equity searches — finding homeowners with significant equity who may be likely sellers

Use the Advanced Search filters to narrow results by equity percentage, ownership length, property type, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Realist data always current?

Realist data comes from county tax assessor and recorder records. Data is updated regularly but may lag behind the most recent transactions by days to weeks depending on the county's recording timeline.

Why does the assessed value differ from market value?

Assessed value is determined by the county tax assessor and is used to calculate property taxes. It may differ significantly from current market value. Always use a CMA in Matrix for an accurate estimate of market value.

Can I access Realist outside of Matrix?

Realist is accessed through Matrix. If you need to access Realist directly, contact MLS Now support for guidance.

Need Help?

For assistance with Realist or public records access, contact MLS Now support through the MLS Now Help Center.