All Forum Posts by: Jonathan Minerick

On the sell side, you can use a flat fee MLS service to list it ($100-$200), thereby avoiding the listing fees.

On the buy side, find an agent that will do a commission rebate or negotiate a discount directly with the seller agent if you are not represented (no commission to pay to a buyer agent).

Use transaction coordinators to help you with the paperwork (~$450, depending on the area).

Also consider what your time is worth and factor that into the cost of getting and keeping a license.

@Sam S. The best I can recommend is google "flat fee MLS + your city" and take a look at the results and their reviews. just keep in mind the things mentioned above - and also make sure the flat fee broker doesn't charge a fee at closing to either you or the buyer agent (or require you to use their closing services).

Yes, the nice thing about listing on the MLS for a flat fee is that you also get syndication out to all the websites (e.g. Zillow/Trulia, Redfin, Realtor.com, broker sites, and often landwatch, etc). If your time is worth anything, it's a better option to do the flat fee MLS listing than it is to post on the free sites as a fsbo, since the flat fee MLS is so cheap and the marketing spread is so much better.

Some things to look out for in a flat fee MLS listing:

1. Must be on the local MLS

2. Make sure the listing length is appropriate (e.g. 1 month is not much use, get 6 month +)

3. Make sure it's free to cancel

4. Make sure you get an appropriate number of photos (e.g. 10+)

There's a lot of services out there that do this, but the devil can be in the details. Go with a reputable service and you'll be fine. 

@Victor Chu Have you thought about finding a buyer agent to work with that would just kick you back most of the commission? You could avoid the hassle of having to maintain the license, etc.

Good question - article in the Union-Tribune this morning: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/real-estate/story/2021-08-18/san-diego-home-price-drops-for-first-time-in-months-why-it-doesnt-mean-much

@Jonn Vidal Can you post the picture you used? While there are a couple MLS' that will reject photos for the dimensions being too small, I have never heard of the MLS software checking the picture metadata for the device it was taken on. We post flat fee listings all the time and what you are being told does not sound accurate.

@Lionel Henderson They are everywhere - here's one we've used in CA: https://bloomfile.com. A google search will yield many results as well.

Yes, they are different than escrow. They basically make sure all the correct disclosures are in place and the transaction is moving along as it should (timelines, etc). 

Many real estate agents actually use them - it is more cost effective for agents to have the Transaction Coordinator do all the paperwork while the agents go out and find more customers/clients.

@Lionel Henderson A more cost effective route may be to get a Transaction Coordinator. They run ~$450 and deal with the standard forms all day. They likely know the forms as well as anyone and most are actually licensees. 

You can just do a flat fee MLS listing to get the property posted on the local MLS + websites. That will save you the listing agent commission.

You can offer a commission to buyer agents through the MLS. Depending on the flat fee listing agreement, if the buyer comes along without an agent you won't pay any buyer agent commission.

Since you are the property owner, you can list it through a flat fee MLS service. This is typically cheaper than listing through your own brokerage. You just need to disclose that you are a licensee.