Once Upon a Time
 MLS  was only available to  sellers  who were willing to sign on "exclusively"  with an "all-or-nothing" real  estate agency for a high commission  based on a  percent of the selling price which  took a healthy chunk out of that sellers' own  equity.  And too frequently, "traditional " style real estate means giving a Realtor almost total control of the process of selling your home, even though your home is likely to be - as it is for most of us -  the single, largest asset in your personal  investment portfolio; while the "exclusivity" takes away your right to sell your own home, leaving you owing that high priced commission even if you found the buyer on your own. 

Happily, Once Upon a Time is No More !