Using Historical MLS Data for Off-Market Property Estimates

Overview

Off-market properties typically require manual data entry through the 'Create Estimate' endpoint to generate property valuations. However, you can streamline this process and create a better user experience by leveraging historical MLS data when available, providing users with instant estimates without requiring manual property detail input.

Solution: Automated Payload Population

Instead of requiring users to manually enter property details for off-market properties, you can check for historical MLS data and use it to automatically populate your estimate payload.

Implementation Steps

Check for Historical Data

- Query the Repliers API for any MLS history
- Use the historical listings endpoint to retrieve property data
- If historical data exists, proceed with automated estimate generation

Use Historical Data as Payload

- When historical MLS data is found, use this information directly as your payload in the POST /estimates endpoint
- This eliminates the need for manual user input while maintaining estimate accuracy

Handle Property Tax Updates

- Property taxes are a critical component that likely changed since the last listing
- Calculate updated property tax values using market statistics

Property Tax Approximation Method

Since property taxes are an important valuation factor and likely outdated in historical data, use the Repliers API statistics to calculate current tax estimates for the same city as the property:

Get Market Tax Statistics

https://api.repliers.io/listings?statistics=med-tax,grp-yr&city=New York&type=sale&listings=false&status=U&status=A

- Query the listings endpoint with statistics parameters to get median tax data by year:
- This returns median tax values grouped by year for the specific city

Calculate Tax Increase Rate

- Compare the median tax from the property's last sale year to the current year
- Example: If a property last sold in 2023 when median tax was $3,117, and current median tax is $3,744:
- - Tax increase rate = $3,744 ÷ $3,117 = 1.201 (20.1% increase)

Apply Adjustment to Historical Tax

- Multiply the property's historical tax amount by the calculated increase rate
- Example: If the property's 2023 taxes were $10,000:
- - Updated tax estimate = $10,000 × 1.201 = $12,010
  - Pass 12010 as the tax amount in your estimate payload

Sample API Response

{
    "statistics": {
        "tax": {
            "med": 2517,
            "yr": {
                "2022": {
                    "med": 3019,
                    "count": 62557
                },
                "2023": {
                    "med": 3117,
                    "count": 62405
                },
                "2024": {
                    "med": 3261,
                    "count": 71073
                },
                "2025": {
                    "med": 3744,
                    "count": 38222
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

Benefits

Seamless User Experience: Users receive instant estimates without data entry
Improved Accuracy: Leverages actual property characteristics from MLS history
Automated Workflow: Reduces manual processes while maintaining estimate quality
Market-Adjusted Values: Incorporates current market conditions for key financial metrics

When to Use This Approach

Off-market properties with MLS history
Scenarios where user experience speed is prioritized

Implementation Considerations

Ensure your historical data includes all necessary property attributes
Validate data quality before using as estimate payload
Use the real-time market statistics to keep tax calculations current
Consider implementing fallback mechanisms for properties without sufficient historical data

Need Help?

If you have questions about implementing this solution or need assistance with the Repliers API endpoints, our support team is here to help!

Updated on: 12/06/2025

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