Posted by Manager on December 27th, 2007
When home sellers start looking for advice on how to choose a real estate agent, there’s plenty of it available:
- take the time to talk with different agents
- look at agents’ websites
- make sure that the agents you are considering offer the services that you are looking for
- make sure that your home will be listed in the appropriate MLS
What many people don’t realize when they are thinking about selling with flat fee MLS and choosing a flat fee broker is that it’s a good idea to do your “homework” there too.
Make sure that you look at the experience the broker has and take the time to become aware of the different services that are available to you. Know which MLS (or which services) your home can be added to. Check the reputation of the service by looking into testimonials from past clients.
Choosing the right flat fee broker can ensure that you have a great experience selling your home.
Posted by admin on May 25th, 2006
The competition between traditional agents and limited service companies increases
With the slowing real estate market nationally, the battle for listings is getting more intense. Consumers have more options than ever before and are weighing them before making any decisions. It is no longer a given that homeowners are going to enlist the services of a full service broker as the number of online flat fee MLS brokers, real estate discounters and for sale by owner forums have increased drastically over the last 5 years. With all the choices the debate begins which method is better? Full service brokers argue they offer a more focused marketing campaign, while flat fee MLS brokers argue the sellers are paying too much for the negligible marketing difference. Flat fee brokers save sellers thousands in equity, but full service agents claim they are worth the 5-6 percent. Ultimately, the debate will be settled by home sellers over time and only then will we see what the end effect of technology has had on the industry.
Posted by admin on May 11th, 2006
Real estate websites report marked increase in website traffic
Statistics have indicated that 80 percent of home shoppers begin their search online. comScore Media Metrix released its monthly analysis of consumer activity at top online properties and categories today. Among the top trends in April was the increased traffic to real estate sites, up 12 percent from the March, and up 23 percent from a year ago. Peter Daboll, CEO of comScore, says interest "ballooned" due to overal angst in the market and new industry web site innovations. As inventories and rates have risen innovations like flat fee MLS companies, discount realtors and home valuation sites have been the benefactor. This marked increase in real estate website traffic only proves the trend in the real estate industry is toward consumer control. This consumer control is attainable on both sides of the transaction. Flat fee brokers and discount brokers are providing expansive marketing advantages to home sellers in a cost effective while home buyers are afforded the opportunity to enjoy open houses from the comfort of their own PC via virtual tours and multiple photo showcases. The industry is changing and here are some numbers to back it up.
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Posted by admin on May 9th, 2006
Maximize your marketing efforts without sacrificing thousands in commissions
A recent article published by CNNMoney.com provided tips for home seller and home flippers, but to my disappointment was very outdated and stale. As a proponent of choice and alternative to the traditional real estate model, I had to completely disagree with the advice to hire a full service agent. One thing I do think she was right about is homeowners "hate the idea of parting with 6 percent of [their] home’s value." Especially when there is growing awareness of discount realtors and flat fee MLS companies that serve as a much better avenue for home sellers to capitalize on marketing exposure in a "tougher environment" while maximizing their equity. When a home owner has to fork over 6 percent of the sales price of their home at closing you better believe that is being reflected in the asking price, which as the article stated is the most important aspect to getting the home sold. Because flat fee MLS charges a low, one-time fee to list the home in the MLS, homeowners are saving 3 percent at a minimum during the sales transaction freeing them to price their home far more competitively than anyone listed with a full service broker.
While a full service agent may run classified ads or send postcards to neighbors, flat fee brokers provide an MLS listing whereby the home will get the same marketing exposure through public websites like realtor.com for the low fee freeing up additional pocket change for the seller to run ads themselves where they have the opportunity to attract unrepresented buyers and save on the full 6 percent of broker commissions. As the industry continues to see lower sales prices, sellers should be encouraged to seek alternative models that provide similar exposure without sacrificing thousands in commissions.
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Posted by admin on May 8th, 2006
Alternative models are a growing Trend in real estate
Finally a front page article addressing the changing trend in the real estate structure. The USA Today just published an article detailing the different advantages of discount and flat fee brokers, as well as the advantages of having your home published on the internet. It seems the USA Today has hit the nail on the head with their recent title "It’s always ‘Open House’ as real estate goes online." As home owners become more familiar with the sales transaction courtesy of the internet, savvy home sellers are turning to alternative models like discount MLS brokers and flat fee MLS brokers that provide services on an a la carte basis while allowing sellers to maintain all the rights of a For Sale By Owner. With flat fee MLS the home seller maintains control over the transaction and can monitor who sees the home and how quickly inquiry calls are returned. There is no waiting for the agent to, hopefully, do the work.
As discount brokers and flat fee MLS companies gain market share realtors continue to work to persuade state lawmakers to pass laws limiting the ability of the agents to give rebates or offer services on an a la carte basis.
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Posted by admin on May 1st, 2006
Virginia turns to Buyers’ market
Virginia home sales have dropped 12 percent from March 2005 marking the seventh consecutive month of decline. While some areas reported increases in the number of closed transactions overall the state declined. "Home price appreciation is cooling with a single-digit change in median price appreciation from last year" according to VAR President Kit Hale. Inventory is up and urgency is down leaving buyers with more choices and a longer timeframe for decision making. In a buyers’ market sellers flat fee MLS can be an advantageous way to market a home for sale. Flat fee MLS allows a seller to keep the most equity from there home sale, so in a buyers’ market when prices may drop flat fee MLS provides maximum equity. Not only that, but flat fee MLS provides a way to strategically price your home more competitively than other homes in the area compensating for exaggerated realtor fees. Pricing is not the only advantageous tool of flat fee MLS and flat fee brokers, as virtual tours, multiple photos, and public websites are another perck of flat fee MLS.
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