Advantages to Using a Flat Fee Listing Service
As the housing market continues its course, many owners are finding that they do not need to sell their houses the traditional way. Paying thousands of dollars in commissions to a real estate agency can take money straight out of their bank account – money they may need to pay off more important things in their life.
On the other hand, trying to sell it themselves can be even worse! Buyers can be reluctant to tour a home when its owner accompanies them. They feel uncomfortable peering into closets and opening drawers, so they never get a chance to imagine the house as their own – something that must happen before they’ll make an offer. They want to avoid confrontation, so they’re less likely to talk about things they don’t like with the seller, too, even if it’s an obstacle that can be easily fixed.
Most buyers elect to work with Realtors, and why wouldn’t they? Agents working with buyers often foist the cost of their services to the seller’s brokerage, so the buyer pays nothing to work with a professional who can feed them information about houses that are available in their target area. This means a “for sale by owner” property will get viewed by one or two of every fifty potential buyers – hardly a means to a fast sale!
Studies by the National Association of Realtors have shown that people who offered their homes for sale by owner require more time to sell their houses, and sell for about 12% less than people who use full service brokerages – a difference that pays for a Realtor’s commissions, but doesn’t solve the problem of keeping money in your pocket.
Flat fee services solve this problem for sellers by providing limited service for a flat fee or a discount from traditional brokerage expenses. Flat fee listing services don’t provide all of the services of a full service brokerage, but often the services that are surrendered are ones that sellers won’t miss. What they do get includes:
MLS® Listing
Their house will be listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and syndicated to reputable online sites that populate their websites using the MLS. This means exposure to buyers that will be missed if you try to place your home for sale by owner.
Access Control
You’ll have greater control over who enters your house and when. Buyers and buyer agents schedule showings directly with you – not through your agency. You can decide whether or not you want to be present, and how to provide them with access.
More Control Over the Sale
Some flat fee Realtors can present offers on your house, so you’ll still receive expert advice and be able to put his or her experience to work for you. But you will be able to hire the services you want to complete your transaction. From pest inspections to title companies or lawyers when you need them, you’re free to choose any provider and negotiate costs directly with them. (Legally, you’re always allowed to do so, but in full service brokerages this often doesn’t seem to be the case.)
If you’re looking for a way to maximize the benefit you’ll see from selling your house, consider hiring a flat fee MLS real estate agent today.
Try visiting www.letmelist.ca for an example of an effective flat fee MLS listing service in Ontario
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