What is a flat fee listing? A flat fee listing is where you, the seller pay a small flat fee when you list your home with a Realtor to get your home in the MLS & Realtor.com. In the past, people paid their Realtor when their home sold, typically 6% to 7%! Most people understand they need that additional exposure from the MLS & Realtor.com.

What is the Multiple Listing Service M.L.S.? The MLS is the database of homes listed for sale that local Realtors use to find, buy and sell homes for their clients. You must be a member of that particular MLS and pay monthly dues to have access to, input and view listings. Being listed on the Realtors MLS enables you to take advantage of the power of thousands of Realtors in your area. That means more exposure for you!

How will I know when I'm listed with you? After you complete the forms and fax them in, we input you into the MLS. We will email the MLS link for you to see what you look like as Realtors see you. This way you have verification of your listing, you can proof it if we need to make any minor changes AND you can use the MLS sheet as great handouts to prospects. It takes an additional few days for the data to get to Realtor.com so be patient.

How many MLS's are there in Michigan? There are about 40. Many people think there is one for the entire state but each MLS is specific to a certain area. Most MLS's cover 1 county or several surrounding counties. Some areas have overlapping MLS's too. If your home is in an area with overlapping MLS's it may be a good idea to have your home listed in both as some MLS's do not share data from one to the other!

How do I get my home listed on Realtor.com? You must list it with a Realtor to first get it into your local MLS. Then, generally within 24 to 48 hours the data exports to Realtor.com. Realtors do not use Realtor.com, only the general public. In addition, by law, your name and phone number cannot appear on Realtor.com, only the Realtors.

MLS provides the biggest marketing advantage in selling homes.
This kind of exposure to buyers is not available anywhere else. You maximize your chances of selling your property more quickly and at a better price when it is listed in the MLS. When your property is in the MLS your property receives the broad coverage of a large number of realty offices that have access via computer to your home's availability, price and features.

Is this the same Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to which all area Realtors belong?  Yes.  All participating MLS Realtors belong to their local association of Realtors. Wherever you may be located, we will have a Nationwide Network of Realtors and will place you in the proper MLS for your area.

Will my property be listed on the Internet? Yes.  Once you're listed in your local MLS the information data feeds to www.realtor.com and many other places. The MLS is the key to maximum exposure.

If I find my own buyer, will I still have to pay a selling commission?  No.  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.

Will Realtors show my home even though I went Flat Fee Listing instead of paying a high commission? Yes.  There is no way to tell how much you paid to get on the MLS.  Regardless of whom you listed with or what you paid, your listing will look no different from any other listing in form and style.

Will Realtors contact you or me for a showing? Both.  Some boards allow us to put your name and number in the MLS. Some do not so if a Realtor calls we give them your number. By law our contact information must be in Realtor.com.

How long is the MLS listing period? This depends on the program you choose.

Must I have a lockbox? No, but Realtors depend on quick access.  Realtors show many homes within a very short period of time, access to your home may make a difference.  We strongly recommend a Realtor lockbox, you can purchase them on our site here.

How do I make changes to my listing? We need a completed from in our client area filled in and faxed to us that we put in your file. Price changes are free but additional changes after the listing is proofed are at $25 per change.

Is it true that Realtors using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) sell most houses and that they usually sell for a higher price? Yes, it's true on both accounts.  According to the National Association of Realtors, approximately 85 - 90% of all U.S.. homes are sold through Realtors using the MLS and homes listed on the MLS average net proceeds of 7% higher than homes sold for sale by owner.

What happens if a buyer calls our office? We are full time Realtors located in Saline. We sometimes field calls and if we call you to show your home or if we have a buyer they we would be compensated the typical 3% as any other Realtor. Your maximum risk though is the flat fee plus the commission of typically 3%.

The MLS will give you maximum exposure and this is the key to a successful transaction. There is no other effective way to sell your property and be successful.

Keep in mind if you sell your own home,
you do not pay the 3% buyer agent commission. (or the negotiated amount)