Frequently Asked Questions:

How does a ‘flat fee’ real estate listing work?

You provide us with photos, a description of your property, and necessary disclosures and we get you listed on the LOCAL MLS as well as all of the major real estate shopping websites, including the International MLS.

Why should I use a local company instead of one of the national websites that charge a little less?

First, you’ll get more exposure listing on MLS and other websites besides just the few that allow property owners to list on their own. Second, buyer agents do not shop on third party sites and may miss your listing to send to their client. Third, and the MOST IMPORTANT part is that the national companies that list for a slightly lower fee will enter the data on the MLS in their area which means it may likely not show up on the local MLS. Again, this is where buyer agents are looking for matches to their client’s needs. (This is the same reason we advise against using out of area agents to list your home even when paying for the full-service option). Finally, the reason to use a local company is that we have local resources for you and we can jump in to assist you with knowledge of local laws, customs, and to advise you accordingly. Will a national website do that for you? NO. Don’t try to save a few hundred dollars only to pay more than that if a deal falls apart or needs expert assistance.

What am I paying for?

For the flat fee price, we will list your property on the local MLS for 6 months and will syndicate it to all the major real estate websites. We will also feed it to all other brokerages to display it on their websites. Cooperation with other brokerages will maximize your exposure!! You take care of all other needs for your listing, but if you need us, we are there. We will provide you with a menu of services so you know what you will pay for these services. Remember, this is the largest transaction you will likely face in your lifetime so don’t skimp on expenses! Very often, spending a few more dollars on these a la carte items will save a deal and possibly net you more money at closing.

What kinds of services can I purchase a la carte?

Anything you can think of or encounter along the way, we can help. Whether it is simply guiding you through an offer you are unsure of, vetting a mortgage qualification letter, or something more complex like title defects, survey issues, or other roadblocks, we will be able to offer our expertise (or will help you find the right expert for that job). Want better listing photos? We can be at your photo shoot. Need someone to help with negotiations? We can assist you with understanding your “net offer” and help you keep a deal in place when the inspection or appraisal hasn’t gone well. Need forms completed and signatures obtained electronically? We can do that for you! Unsure if you are priced right? We can provide you with a market analysis with details about your comparable listings. Yet another reason to hire a LOCAL broker!!

How do I pay?

For a flat fee listing scenario, all fees are paid in advance…not at closing. All fees are non-refundable, even if you don’t sell. This is different than traditional full-service care where you pay nothing up front and we only get paid at closing (unless you cancel the listing contract before it terminates). We utilize Zelle for our business banking services to make it easy for you to pay and receive services more quickly than pending a credit card transaction (which eliminates additional credit card fees to you), or you can pay by check. If you are a full-service client, you pay nothing in advance. Our compensation comes out of your closing proceeds, direct from the closing/title office.

What if I can’t sell on my own or I change my mind about flat fee services?

Good news! We are a full-service brokerage! While we offer flat fee services to those who want it, we realize the selling process can often be difficult and time consuming. If the time comes and you need to cancel, there is no refund of fees already paid. If you wish to convert to a full-service model, we may provide you with a discount on the commission due at closing of the sale of the property. No additional fees need to be paid unless you cancel the full-service listing agreement. Please inquire for details. Certain limitations apply and we are happy to offer the service menu in writing!

How quickly will my listing appear online?

Once we have all of your needed documents, details, and payment, turnaround time is generally 1 business day if paying electronically for our service. If you choose to pay by check, please expect a 3-business day timeframe for your listing to be activated. For this reason, we highly recommend you pay electronically.

Can I make changes to my listing once it is online?

YES! Periodic price changes are made at no charge to you. If you make bigger changes to your listing, we do have a small fee. We do pride ourselves in delivering a professional listing so if there are any typographical errors brought to our attention, we will change that at no charge to you.

How do I get started?

We begin by verifying you are the rightful owner of the property. Everything can be done via email, text, and/or Zoom. We utilize an electronic signature service to have you sign the necessary documents: a listing agreement, legally required disclosures we must share with your potential buyers, and other forms. You’ll send us a description of your property and photos to use. An MLS rule: you must include a photo of the front of the home with NO “for sale” sign in view. We will load up to 50 photos for you. We encourage using a professional photographer. This is not an expensive service and can make a HUGE difference in the marketing of your home. Once we receive these items, we load the listing. You’ll receive a copy of how it appears on MLS. We ask that you proofread the description and all of the details and advise us of any errors. Keep in mind that MLS has certain rules that we must follow, many for the sake of avoiding Fair Housing Law violations and/or other risk management reasons. If we can’t describe the home as you have written, we will advise you of appropriate changes to make the same point. Once the listing has been distributed to MLS, real estate shopping sites, and other broker sites, you will be ready to schedule showings.

How can I manage showing appointments?

We will set you up with an automated scheduling service that real estate agents use to schedule time for them to visit your home with a buyer. They will request a showing time from the online calendar and you’ll be alerted by text about their request. RESPOND QUICKLY FOR BEST RESULTS! Buyers who are not working with an agent can call you directly as they do not have access to the calendar we provide. Your phone number will be provided, but if they should call us direct, we will forward all contacts to you for response.