Flat Fee Broker (fsbo, house, business)

[goula]

Would like to sell home by owner, but thinking of using a flat fee broker to get onto the MLS. Does anyone have any experience or opinions of a reputable firm in the Nashville area?

Thanks

[Steve_TN]

When I am selling my home, and you buying my home depends on the selling of your home, I will not do business with anyone who is going to do FSBO or try to take the cheaper route with a discount brokerage. What you need is a good realtor; an experienced professional to realistically evaluate and list your home, recommend staging options and have a sound advertising plan in place. I speak so harshly out of bad personal experience and urge you to reconsider your plan of action.

[ben52284]

I'm afraid I can't offer any suggestions, but I would also be interested in an answer for future reference. Regarding Steve's comments, everybody has bad experiences now and then--personally, our first house was a great purchase as a FSBO, whereas we had to lead our realtor from house to house when we moved down from cleveland. He offered no advice, and we probably paid at least 10% too much for our house. My point is, you live and learn, but you can do just as well with a realtor as w/o one. I'm in strong agreement with goula's implication here that getting on the MLS is the key first step.

[goula]

Thanks for responses so far. I have to agree with ben52284 about experiences. My experience with realtors has not been that great, and I have bought and sold 8 residences in 3 states. As a marketing professional by trade, I figure I can market my home better than anyone. Hope someone has some direct experience with a flat fee broker and can offer their insight and opinions.

[Steve_TN]

Originally Posted by goula

Thanks for responses so far. I have to agree with ben52284 about experiences. My experience with realtors has not been that great, and I have bought and sold 8 residences in 3 states. As a marketing professional by trade, I figure I can market my home better than anyone. Hope someone has some direct experience with a flat fee broker and can offer their insight and opinions.

You may be a marketing professional, but you aren't a realtor. Marketing a home is quite different than other types of marketing. A professional in one area does not make you a professional in all. Unfortunately, you have never had a decent realtor and that is a shame because it's the bad ones that ruin it for everyone. I know of a flat fee broker, but wouldn't recommend them to my worst enemy.