All Forum Posts by: Jorge Zea

Even if using a Realtor, use a real Estate attorney.

In Flat Fee MLS transactions. Buyer's agents will be the one doing most of the leg work: showing, analyzing the price for buyer, advising the buyer, preparing offer, documents, working with bank, inspector, appraisal, title company. The buyer's agent deserves (and expects) a compensation for his work.

You are saving the "listing side" of the commission as you will be doing the "listing agent's" work.

Just use your price to reflect this commission - it is part of your marketing mix: "price". It is your pricing strategy.

I tip my hat to Buyer's agents!

For sure going with a Flat Fee MLS listing broker is the way to go. You get the best of both worlds: maximum exposure through the MLS and you manage the deal yourself. Check references, make sure broker has license and good reviews. make sure they list it in your local MLS system. Unfortunately we aren't in Texas, so can't help you with listing it.

Always use a Real Estate attorney regardless if you are using a Realtor.

@Shawn Connors has a valid and effective business model. There might be those who don't like it, see his model as a threat.

Search in Google. There must be someone in TX with that service level. We are not in TX so can't help ... but offer exactly what you describe except the yard sign. Make sure they send you all the leads as mentioned by Shelly and do some research to make sure the Flat Fee broker is licensed in TX, has good reviews and participate in the Local MLS where the property is located (this is VERY important).

Hi Jack, Some Flat Fee providers could have a log-in system where you can make changes. nevertheless they need to input these changes into the MLS, which only the Broker has access to ... so the answer is yes, always the Flat Fee Listing Broker will need to upload your changes you the MLS system regardless of how you get these changes to them.

Most (if not all) MLS systems require that you have a valid executed listing agreement with the Broker. That is OK and better for you because this will list all the fees you must pay and the services that will be provided. make sure that there are no additional fees other than your Flat Fee Listing fee. It will also explicitly show the offer of compensation for the Buyer's agent. This is a document to protect you from any future surprises. Make sure that there is no cancellation fees, that changes are free and that you can post open houses as well (this is our business model, but we are not in Illinois yet).

Be sure that the broker is properly licensed in your state and that he/she shows you samples of the listings they have; as questions: how will potential buyers contact me? will you change a fee to the buyer or buyer agent? - (this is a red flag if the answer is yes). How long will it take for changes to be reflected in the MLS? How many pics can I post? Are there any other fees other than the BUyer's agent commission and the Flat Fee listing?

You will be fine! Just choose the company that give you the best gut feeling, the one that has the best (and truthful) reviews and NEVER deal with a referral service - deal directly with the Broker and ask to talk to the broker directly. goo rresponsible brokers take calls from prospect customers.

Go with a reputable Flat Fee Listing company. Check to make sure they are licensed in the State. Easiest way to dod it.

Full exposure and you save one side of the commission (maybe the entire commission if tenant comes through one of the many sites (Zillow, Trulia, etc)

Simone, you will sell them ultra fast if you list them in the MLS. We do Flat Fee listings at $99. Check it out at: www.snapflatfee.com

Best idea is to use a FLAT FEE listing service. This will get you on the MLS which will sell the property 95% of the times.

Direct FSBO, Zillow Craigslist, etc without MLS is only 5% effective.

Make sure that it is a licensed broker in the Ste¡ate and NEVER use referral services.

@Michael Rutkowski wants to rent for 5 to 7 months at a time .... for this, the MLS could work; for shorter term rentals like weekly or monthly, the MLS is not the best venue.

Furthermore, only Realtors search the MLS (the general public search the Internet RE portals)... what gives a flat fee MLS service the edge is the syndication onto all other Real Estate portals at once (Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, HotPads, property Sharks, HOmes.com, Realtor.com .... etc).