Flat Fee Listing Service (RE market, incentive, 3%, clause)
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There are a number of 'HelpUSell' or 'SalebyOwner' RE services that offer a legitimate service and seem to stay in business. If you are in a 'hot' RE market where buyers are quickly submitting offers on every property in your neighborhood, then you might save some money here.
However, you need to recognize that you are removing the incentive for RE Agents to show your house to their clients. When you go with an established Realtor, you only pay if/when the property sells. With some of these 'flat fee services', my understanding is that you pay whether you sell or not.
I should have been more clear...I am going to offer 3% to the buyer's agent. I don't want to pay 3% to have it listed, but would like to have access to the MLS and, perhaps, a small amount of assistance. I prefer the flat fee because I don't want to incentivize a quick-sell. I think I can do a lot of the paperwork myself.
Make sure they are placing it in the MLS used by agents in your area. If it's not in that MLS, it's a waste of money. There are many, many MLS systems.
Make sure they are placing it in the MLS used by agents in your area. If it's not in that MLS, it's a waste of money. There are many, many MLS systems.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2bindenver
Yes, I would make sure they are a member of the local MLS and ask for local sellers name & number for references.
Are they licensed in your state?
They are licensed in my state and I live in a major metropolitan area. I did ask them.
I'm just hoping that someone has actually used them before. After I sign up, that's when they will give me the name of the local affiliate agent. I don't think they will give me the name of the agent until I have signed up because then people would circumvent them (national) altogether.
They are licensed in my state and I live in a major metropolitan area. I did ask them.
I'm just hoping that someone has actually used them before. After I sign up, that's when they will give me the name of the local affiliate agent. I don't think they will give me the name of the agent until I have signed up because then people would circumvent them (national) altogether.
Never sign anything binding you to an agent/agency without knowing the specific agent and agency.
Unless you have a Teflon "Get Out of Jail Free" right of unilateral termination clause.
My understanding is that they have licensed RE agents in each state that they offer their service. Every single one that I have looked into seems to have pretty much the same business model. Help-U-Sell is a little more transparent, but charges, I think, $3500.
I don't know how this will work out, but I will come back and discuss it after I have used them if you want. The least amount of money they charge is $250 and that is only for the property to be listed in the local MLS. I'll start with that and as long as it looks above board, I'll purchase the other services they offer. I figure if I put it on a credit card or pay for it through Paypal, I can get a refund if it's a complete sham. The worse that could happen is that I lose $250. Not that that is an insignificant amount, but it's not so much that I could definitely recover from that loss.
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