Posted by Manager on April 21st, 2008
The real estate market is an interesting thing to take a closer look at. There are cycles. There are times when the market favors the buyers, times when the sellers are the ones who benefit. There are times in which prices are great and there are times when investments pay off.
One thing that often doesn’t change is the way in which real estate is bought and sold - with one obvious exception: flat fee real estate.
In the past, buyers had two options for getting into their dream homes: they could work with a real estate agent who would do a lot of the work for them or they could go it alone. Likewise, sellers had two options: FSBO - selling their homes entirely on their own - or selling with a listing agent. Flat fee real estate changes things up a bit for both buyers and sellers.
For buyers and sellers, flat fee real estate creates the ability to have the support they need without having to sign on and work with a real estate agent. Flat fee real estate creates an opportunity for buyers to save when they purchase a home and for sellers to save while selling their home and still being able to take advantage of the best marketing tools and the tips that can guide them through the process of selling their homes.
Ultimately, flat fee real estate services allow buyers and sellers to have it all: independence, help when they need it and the chance to save in the process.
Posted by Manager on July 1st, 2007
When you hear about flat fee realty, a lot of the times it’s in reference to flat fee MLS listings and associated services for sellers. But homebuyers can also benefit from flat fee realty services.
Buyers who work with flat fee realty services will be able to take on a part of the work of finding a home - searching for properties online, attending open houses and seeing properties on their own - and, as a reward, will be able to receive a home buyer rebate.
A home buyer rebate is a return of a portion of the buyer’s agent commission on the property. With a home buyer rebate, you’ll save thousands when you buy a home - money that can go toward paying down your mortgage quickly, renovating the property so that it better fits your needs, landscaping or new appliances.
Think that flat fee home buying might be right for you but don’t know how to get started? You can take comfort in the fact that it’s really a simple process.
First, register with IHS Realty. Find the right property for you, schedule a showing, then - when you’re ready to make an offer - complete a purchase form. Your broker will help you to fill out all of the paperwork, make the offer and get the best price on a home you’ll love.
It’s really that simple - see for yourself!
Flat Fee MLS & Realty
Get the info you need about flat fee realty services for buyers..
Internet Home Services Real Estate Blog
Posted by Manager on April 10th, 2007
Whether you are selling your home or looking for the perfect home to move into, the high costs associated with sellers’ fees and buyers’ fees can be daunting. But when you use a flat fee realty service like IHS Realty you will be able to save money.
Sellers can save by listing their home on the MLS without a sellers’ agent. Buyers can save with rebates after closing.
When you sell your home, you want to be sure that you get as much for your home - and to put towards your new home. When you buy a home, you want to be sure that you are able to get the most for your money. In either case, when you cut out the high commissions associated with using a real estate agent, you are able to save. Flat fee realty lets you do just that.
IHS Realty
Learn more about Flat Fee Realty
Internet Home Services Real Estate Blog
Posted by admin on October 12th, 2005
“Consumer Protection” or “Industry Protectionism”
Brokers in Texas are facing new restrictions on the way they provide real estate services. No longer are limited service and MLS entry-only brokers able to offer an a la carte menu of services to consumers without restriction.
Because of the efforts of traditional Realtors who control the Texas Real Estate Commission and Texas Association of Realtors, legislators were convinced that the public needed "protection" in the form of stricter real estate requirements for real estate brokers.
Senate Bill 810 went into effect September 1, 2005 requiring real estate brokers to, among other things, present real estate offers directly to their customers. No longer do consumers have the choice of paying a real estate broker less for fewer services. Whether or not Texan home sellers want a broker to handle their real estate offer for them or not, they must now agree to allow the broker to present the offer (and, of course, pay for that extra service accordingly).
While the introduction of the new law was couched with the term "consumer protection" by it’s proponents, the obvious intent of these types of measures is protection of the interests of big brokers and their right to a traditional real estate commission of 5-7%. Limited service companies have made terrifc gains in the market over the past several years at the expense of traditional brokers.
So much so, in fact, that Realtor Associations in several states have called for and pushed through legislation on the unwitting public that requires them to pay for additional services they may not want or need. Aaron Farmer of Texas Discount Realty and Jack McLemore of BrokerDirectMLSTexas have both already raised their fees in response to the requirements of the new law.
It doesn’t seem like the consumer wins (or gets protected) when rates for real estate services go up in response to a new law and no benefit is derived.
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