Your agent can search the MLS, using your criteria and provide a list of all the properties available that match. You then can look at the pictures and the full details of each. You'll eliminate some and want to look at some others. Your alternative to using the MLS is to get all the homes magazines and get a one paragraph description of the properties. But with these two methods you still don't know all the details of the property.
Nobody puts the sales price on a sign.
You can find a house this way, but it may take a long time. Real estate agents work solely on commission. If you want to look at only one house, you should contact that agent directly, even though any member agent can show you the property. Keep in mind, if you do not like that house, the agent probably will try to show you others, using the MLS of course. The local MLS 2001 is a good time to be involved with the local real estate industry.