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Joel Shears, wireless industry specialist for Most Home Technologies, provides wireless training classes for agents through their real estate boards. The classes help agents figure out what type of wireless device to buy, as well as how to use it to get the most out of their investment. For example, they'll learn how to synchronize their contacts, e-mail, voicemail and how to set up and use the wireless MLS service, among other things.

"We're now starting to build an advanced course," Shears said. Agents in the courses have been very enthusiastic about the technology, he said.

In addition to wireless access to listings data, Most Home is integrating the wireless technology into its lead generation and lead response system for brokers.

The next step for the wireless technology is to enable consumers to access listings information themselves while they are driving around neighborhoods scoping out potential houses. Secord said a few MLSs have signed up to test the service, and Most Home is working on partnering with major wireless service carriers interested in offering this.

Secord and Shears both noted the future of wireless communication moving toward more location-based services, which give the ability to determine where the cell phone is located.

The use for such services in real estate would make it possible for a consumer to access information about a home while standing in front of it, without having to first search for the home listing information on the MLS, or to stand in a neighborhood and figure out where the for-sale houses are located. This technology could potentially cut down on the number of calls agents receive from prospective clients asking about property details or listing prices.

While Marland said the use of wireless MLS data is not yet commonplace among agents in his market, there's more pressure now to come onboard with the technology.

A number of MLS organizations also are offering their members access to wireless handheld devices made especially for real estate agents. MLS Property Information Network in New England and the Nebraska Association of Realtors this year separately announced they would offer the Pathfinder wireless handheld device to members.

Pathfinder is a Pocket PC-powered, all-in-one PDA product that allows real estate professionals wireless access to real estate MLS data, GPS technology, prospect information, and MS-Outlook-synchronized contact and task lists – anywhere, anytime.