Q. Will a Realtor® be able to find my property on the local MLS?

A. Yes. As of 12/01/05, we no longer list properties through Regional MLS's. Regional MLS's many times overlap local MLS's; however, we have found that local agents do not necessarily use the Regional MLS to locate a property in their local area, even though the Regional MLS includes that area. In addition, many local MLS's do not have a reciprocal agreement to share data with larger Regional Realtors® Associations MLS. So for that reason, we list your property on the local Realtors® Associations MLS, only. In some areas, where reciprocal agreements exist, your home may also appear on the Regional MLS automatically. If we do not have access to the local MLS in your area, either directly or through an authorized affiliate, we will be unable to list your home. To identify where we provide services, please refer to our service locations here: Find Service Location.

Q. If one of your affiliates list my property in another state, who is the listing company on my local MLS?

A. In that case, our affiliate is the listing broker for your property.  We have an agreement with our affiliates to provide the same flat-fee MLS service we provide, as outlined under our listing programs. We monitor the transaction to ensure that you receive the same quality of service you would receive, as if your were dealing directly with us.  

Q. How can you provide this flat-fee MLS service so inexpensively?

A. With advances in technology such as the Internet, faxes, cell phones and laptop computers, Realtors are able to do in one hour today, what would have taken ten times that five years ago. This has led to the advent of FlatFeeRealty™ or "discount Realtor" and real estate companies throughout North America that offer the similar services as traditional brokerages, with the resulting reduction in costs being passed on to you, the home owner. Home sellers everywhere are retaining higher equity in their homes by refusing to pay high real estate commissions. We provide professional flat-fee MLS listing services and promise to save you thousands of dollars on the sale of your home.

Q. What is the difference between my local MLS and Realtor.com?

A. The NAR (National Association of Realtors®) prohibits Realtors® from including the sellers' contact info on Realtor.com, directly, because it's publicly accessible. Do not confuse Realtor.com with the Realtor® MLS. They are two separate systems, even though they are both operated by The Realtors® Association. Realtor.com (NAR) downloads property data from the local Board of Realtors® and makes that property data available to the public, on-a-limited-basis. Realtor.com is not a "For-Sale-By-Owner" website, and so therefore, a sellers' contact information is not available. It is acceptable to list the seller as the property contact on the local Realtor® MLS; that's because, it is ONLY accessible to Realtors®. We list you as the contact on the local MLS.

With MLSExpress™, our goal is to provide you with a legitimate way to save at least half of the commission, you would normally pay. You can expect to pay somewhere between 2-3% (whichever you choose, we recommend 3%), to a buyers Agent/Realtor®. If you locate a buyer on your own and there is no Realtors® involved, you owe no commission. 

Q. How many photos  can I submit with my basic MLS Express listing?

A. You can include up to 8 photos, which we will include in the local MLS. Please not that some local MLS systems only allow 6 photos. In addition, Realtor.com (NAR) downloads property data from the local MLS's and makes that property data available to the public, on the Internet. Realtor.com automatically includes 1 photo for each listing. It takes about a week or so for your listing and photo to appear Realtor.com, we do not have control over that process. Some affiliates provide MLSExpress Enhanced™ services where multi photos are included on Realtor.com. Learn more about that, here.

Q. If I'm listed with one of your affiliates and a broker from another real estate company brings me an offer, is the affiliate splitting the 3% commission with the buyers agent?

A. No, our affiliate does not split the 3% commission with the buyers agent. The 3% commission goes directly to the buyers agent at the closing.

Q. Is your listing fee refundable?

A. Once the listing process has been completed, you may cancel your listing on the MLS, but the fee is non-refundable.

Q. If a buyer calls you about our property as a result of Realtor.com, what do you do?

A. We refer them to you. We offer enhanced flat-fee MLS services which include your showing and contact information to buyers, directly.

Q. Do you provide a lock box?

A. No, for liability reasons. You can purchase a combination lock box at your local hardware store for about $10.

Q. How long does it take to be listed on the MLS?

A. During the normal business week, it takes 1-2 business days for your listing become available on the MLS with our flat-fee MLS listing service.

Q. Customer question: Wow, what quick service, Curiosity.  Just making sure that my limit to the selling realtor is 3% and that the other two 3% are not something else I have to pay. What does COBA, COTB, and CONR mean?

A. Notice where the commission being offered is located; it's next to the terms COBA, COTB, and CONR. Those are terms used by Realtors® to designate the role a Broker is acting in. We enter what your offering, on all terms, so there is no confusion to other Realtors®. You are only paying a commission to a buyers Agent, for bringing you a buyer. You will specify the amount offered in the contract, when you list.

Q. Customer question: I enjoyed reading through your excellent website. I have a few questions: 1. Is a flat-fee MLS listed house listed on the same database as if it were listed by ERA, for example? That is, will a realtor in N.Y., California, etc be able to find my house during a search of MLS.

A. Yes, it's listed on the same MLS as any other Real Estate Company, such as, ReMax. ERA, or Keller Williams with our flat-fee MLS listing service. A Realtor in NY or California would not typically access the local Realtor® MLS, unless they belong to that local Board of Realtors®. They would look for a property, out of state, on Realtor.com. When we list your home on the MLS, it will automatically appear on Realtor.com in 3-5 days.

Q. Customer question: Is any special designation given to an flat-fee MLS listings on the MLS that essentially singles it out as a FSBO?

A. No, there is not any special designation that singles out flat-fee MLS listings, listed on the MLS. Actually, quiet the opposite. The NAR's (National Association of Realtors®) policy on flat-fee MLS Realtors® is "0" discrimination tolerance. Local boards have been instructed by the NAR that they can not discriminate against flat-fee MLS brokers, its violates federal trade laws. Realtors do not care if you are trying to sell your home on your own, as long as you are offering them a commission, for bringing you are buyer. They know that statistics are in their favor, that they will locate a buyer, first.
 

Q. Customer question: If I use your flat-fee MLS service you say I agree to pay a buyer's broker "2-3%." Who determines whether the fee is 2% versus 3%. It seems logical to me that if I am publicizing that I will pay 3%, then that is what I will pay because I have agreed to it and no buyer's broker would agree to take less than the max agreed to. What am I misunderstanding.

A. You set the commission rate on the listing agreement, when you list your property. We put that information into the MLS and that is how Realtor® know what you are offering.

Q. Customer question: If I list with flat-fee MLS are there any other fees or services that I am obligated for or to, such as having to use a certain title agent, additional closing costs, finders fees, etc?

A. No, you pay flat-fee to list your property on the MLS and that's it! You are not obligated to use any other services and their no hidden fees or additional cost. 

Q. What if I sell the house on my own?

 A. When you list your home through FlatFeeRealty™, you pay a flat-fee to list you home the MLS, but you still maintain the right to sell your home on your own. If you find your own buyer, you will not be obligated to pay a commission on the sale.

Q. If Flat Fee Realty™ finds a buyer and sells my home, will I owe a commission?

 A. Yes. If our affiliate brings a qualified buyer to you and they purchase your home, they are entitled to the buyers' agent's commission (whatever you are offering 2-3%) for selling your home since they are acting as the buyers.

Q. How will I know if my property is listed with all of the correct information?

A. You will receive a copy of your MLS listing and you may make any changes you like, provided the changes are acceptable to the rules and regulations of your local MLS and Board of Realtors.

Q. When a potential buyer calls, is there anything in particular that I should ask them before showing my home to them?

A. In most cases you will be contacted by a licensed Realtor for showing instructions. If an individual contacts you on their own, It’s always a good idea to get the buyer’s name and phone number in advance, so that you can confirm the appointment and follow up after the showing. Potential buyers tend to show up for the appointment more often when they know you have their phone number. Be sure to ask about their financing arrangements before you agree to show your home. Showing your home to financially unqualified buyers can be a major waste of time. Remember, there is a big difference between "pre-qualified" and "pre-approved" with regard to mortgage financing. One is a "looks good" statement, while the other is an actual commitment to fund a loan.

Q. Should I be concerned about lead-based paint?

 A. If your home was built before 1978, you are required by law to provide your buyer with a lead-based paint disclosure, along with the EPA pamphlet entitled, "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home". When you list you home, we will give you the opportunity order t "disclosure forms". If you select this option, we will send them to you via email. 

Q. Should I be concerned about radon gas?

 A. Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas. It is impossible to detect radon without testing for it.

Q. Will you conduct open houses?

 A. You may hold an open house of your own, if you so desire. However, we do not conduct open houses. The fact of the matter is that open houses are primarily prospecting tools for real estate agents. Open houses are really a way for agents to get their names out there to prospective buyers who are early on in their quest to buy a home. Furthermore, very few homes are sold as a result of an open house because many of the visitors are tire-kickers, bargain hunters, nosey neighbors and people looking for something to do on the weekends.

Q. Will my property be listed on the internet?

 A. Yes. Your property will be listed on realtor.com, homeadvisor.com,  homeseekers.com, and other real estate websites. These internet listings will give you national exposure to out-of-state homebuyers. Since hundreds of people move to Florida daily, this exposure can be a vital component in selling your home quickly and for the best price. The independent websites, realtor.com and homeseekers.com, will obtain your listing directly from the MLS. Keep in mind that they pick up whatever they wish from your MLS listing to publish on their websites. Thus, we have no control over these independent websites and we cannot change or edit their content.

Q. What is a final walk-through?

A. Your buyer will have a final walk-through of the property just prior to the closing (either the day before or the day of closing). This is to ensure that the property is in the same condition that it was in when the buyer placed it under contract and to make sure that all conditions specified within the contract are met before the closing takes place.

Q. Why should I use a flat-fee MLS listing program like yours rather than just selling for sale by owner?

 A. FlatFeeRealty's flat-fee MLS services provides far greater exposure than traditional for sale by owner (FSBO) marketing and advertising efforts. Relying on the traditional marketing and advertising associated with a FSBO is limiting, at best. Also, it can be an expensive proposition. Ultimately you may find that most qualified buyers want or need the assistance of real estate brokers and agents. Thus, your property will be exposed to more qualified buyers through the MLS network accessed by Realtors.

Also, agents and brokers will feel more comfortable dealing with you knowing that their commissions are protected. Qualified buyers are those who have both a real motivation to buy and the financial ability to buy. The truly professional real estate agent will ensure that their buyers are pre-approved for financing before showing them homes in their area. Also, having a real estate professional accompany a potential buyer to your home may add a measure of safety for your family. You will not have to be alone with a stranger in your house who simply states that they are a buyer.  

Research shows that nearly 50% of all home sellers start out trying to sell their property on their own. Although some home owners are successful with FSBO, according to the latest National Association of Realtors (NAR) home seller survey, only 10% of sellers actually sell their home without exposure on the MLS. And many of them end up giving away their commission savings to the buyer to close the deal.

The MLS is a cooperative marketing system which allows professional Realtors® to share information about real estate for sale. It is the most powerful marketing tool for a homeowner to sell their home. Regardless of which company an agent works for, he or she has access to the same data base through their local board of Realtors®.