Frequently Asked Questions
Can I place a For Sale by Owner sign on my property ?
Yes, but we recommend that you use our sign. It is an “AGENTS WELCOME” sign that informs Real Estate Agents that you are currently listed on the MLS and are willing to offer a commission to Buyer’s Agents. Seeing the sign, Real Estate Agents will search the MLS for your listing for more information. Interested Buyers now have a phone number to call and ask for a showing.
Most states allow owners of property for sale to advertise the sale of their property while listed on the MLS.
What types of properties may we list on the MLS ?
You may list many types of real estate:
Single family homes for sale or rent. Condos/Townhomes/Villas for sale or rent. Commercial properties for sale or rent. Duplexes, Triplexes and Quadplexes for sale or rent . Vacant land/Lots for sale. Farms for sale. Mobile/Manufactured Homes for sale or rent.
Do I really need the MLS and Realtors to sell my property?
The answer is No. FSBO’s (For Sale By Owners) have always sold their own properties. However, there are a few solid reasons why you should list your property on the MLS. Statistics show that more than 94% of the homes sold last year were advertised with the MLS and Realtor.com. Wouldn’t you prefer to be a FSBO and be listed on the MLS ? That equates to 100 % exposure for your property and resulting in a faster sale.
What is the difference between a Full Service Listing and a FlatFee Listing?
With a traditional full service MLS listing, the agreement is typically for 6-12 months. The main drawback for you as the owner is that the full service listing agreement is an Exclusive Right of Sale, which prevents the owner/seller from selling the house “FSBO” during this listing period. With this type of listing agreement, the seller has little to no control of the process, though it is their home. Usually, a 6% commission is shared between the listing agent and the selling agent (Sometimes, the listing agent is also the selling agent).
With a Flat Fee MLS listing the seller does not pay a “listing commission” which is typically half of the 6%. With Flat Fee the listing agreement is an Exclusive Agency Listing which allows you to sell your property as a FSBO. The initial flat fee is used as a marketing fee for listing your property on the MLS, Realtor.com and a multitude of public web sites. With a Flat Fee MLS listing, if a buyer finds your property without the assistance of a real estate agent, then you would pay no commission – to anyone. Your only cost would have been the initial flat fee.
How long will my property be listed on the MLS?
Our program lists your property for 12 months. However, you may cancel the listing at any time (except if you are in contract through the MLS and a Realtor who is due a commission)
How many photos may I submit?
The total photos that you may submit varies from MLS to MLS. Many MLS’s only allow 8 to 12, while others allow 25. The MLS’s frequently change. When you complete your listing information form with our referral Broker you will be advised of the photo count for your MLS.
How do I make changes to my listing? How many changes may I make?
With our FlatFee.com public website you may make as many changes whenever you wish to amend your listing. That also will include all photo changes. You will be able to login with your own personal code for security purposes so that only you may amend your listing.
With your MLS listing you may also make as many changes to your listing as you deem necessary. After the initial listing is posted by the Broker and you review it, send any requested changes through your account set up on the FlatFee.com website. All changes made from your account will be forwarded to your Broker and will be recorded in your secure file. When these changes are amended the listing will be complete. Lowering the listing price, offering an agent bonus, buyers bonus or change of phone number are the usual changes requested during the listing cycle. Again, the Broker has your best interests at heart and will complete those requested changes as quickly as possible.
How will Realtors contact me? Will my contact information be displayed on Realtor.com?
Your contact information will be displayed on the MLS listing in the Broker Remarks area. Realtors look for these showing instructions and will call you directly. You should be available to answer your phone because Realtors work all hours of the day calling for details of your property and setting up showing times. If you must use a phone recorder when you are not able to answer your phone, then please listen to the messages and return those calls as quickly as possible. Remember, the Realtor may have a client in the car and actually be in your neighborhood viewing other properties at the time of the call. Remember, we recommend that you put a FlatFee.com sign in your yard.
Your contact information will not be displayed on Realtor.com. This is a rule strictly enforced by the National Association of Realtors. However, on our FlatFee.com public website you are able to post your phone numbers and email address.
How long does it take for my listing to be made Active on the MLS and Realtor.com?
Once you have completed our contact listing form on our FlatFee.com website we will immediately refer your requested listing to the proper MLS Broker. That Broker will send you the appropriate listing form for your completion. The faster you complete the form and forward your photos, the faster your listing will be posted by the Broker. After submitting your listing information and photos, your listing will usually be posted on the MLS within 24-48 hours. Realtor.com automatically uploads from that MLS in their upload sweeps. Some large MLS’s have sweeps every hour and some smaller MLS’s every night. Generally MLS requested changes are completed within 24 hours and then the same required upload time for Realtor.com to post the changes.
What public websites will advertise my listing?
Besides Realtor.com, FlatFee.com will upload your listing to Trulia.com, Zillow.com, Google.com and Homefinder.com. The MLS’s upload to 100’s of websites both locally and nationally. MLS’s are continuously adding their MLS listings to new public websites.
What payment options do I have?
You may pay for your MLS listing and any FSBO tools such as signs and lockboxes from the FlatFee.com website by credit card or by postage mailing a check payable to:
FlatFee.com
5830 Sheridan Street
Hollywood, Florida 33021
