Posted by Manager on December 20th, 2007
When you are going to be selling a home, especially when the housing market is in a bit of a cooling off period or a slow season, there are two things that are absolutely essential.
First, there’s setting the right price. It’s impossible for sellers these days to sell their home when the price is too high, and when the market has slowed a bit, you’re going to find that it’s even more difficult to get your asking price. This is mostly because there are less buyers vying for the property. However, if you’re able to take the time to set the right price for your home - based on other properties in the area and the size and condition of your home - your chances are going to be a lot better. And, of course, when you sell with flat fee MLS, you’re still in a better position to profit when you sell.
Flat fee MLS also addresses the second essential element for selling in a cooling market: exposure for the property. With flat fee MLS, your home will be listed alongside those represented by listing agents and you’ll have the chance to clearly identify all of the house’s best features and selling points. As a result of increased exposure, there will be increased interest and that leads to a greater chance that your home will sell.
What you’ll find when you use flat fee MLS to sell your home is this: you’ll have access to the tools you need to sell your home, be able to access tips and tools designed to help you sell and, even in a cooling market, you’re in a better position to sell the property regardless of what the market is like.
Posted by Manager on April 20th, 2007
Home sellers sometimes find themselves bogged down by high costs. There are the costs associated with making home improvements inside and out. There are costs associated with marketing and listing. And there are high costs associated with the commissions paid to sellers’ agents.
But if you are a looking to save and have not yet begun to work with a seller’s agent, you’re in luck: IHS Realty’s Flat Fee MLS listings are a great way to save.
You’ll be able to market your home in the same MLS listing directories that a seller’s agent would use. You’ll be able to have access to tips and tools that will make selling your home a simple process.
And you’ll get it all for a low flat fee.
Why pay more for the same services? Home sellers can save with IHS Realty’s.
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Home Sellers: Save with IHS Realty.
Internet Home Services Real Estate Blog
Posted by admin on July 13th, 2006
Sellers are saving thousands using flat fee MLS
Saving thousands in equity, while maximizing marketing potential seems to be the motivating factor for home sellers that enlist the services of a flat fee MLS broker. Savvy home owners have quickly come to realize the valuable savings advantage offered by these types of flat fee MLS service providers and discount realtors. Flat fee MLS and discount providers offer the same exposure through the MLS and public websites as any traditional agent with the only difference being, homeowners maintain complete control over the showing and contract negotiation process. With flat fee MLS, customers are afforded the same ancillary services such as home warranties, virtual tours, open houses, and broker assistance (usually available for an additional fee.)
Posted by admin on July 11th, 2006
Slight decline for the remainder of 2006
The market continues to show signs of stabilizing although homes sales are expected to decline modestly until year’s end according to David Lereah, NAR’s Chief Economist. Existing home sales are expected to decline by almost 7 percent this year while new home sales are expecting to show a considerably higher decline of nearly 13 percent. Contributing factors to such a decline are the rising interest rates which are expected to hit 7 percent for a 30-year mortgage by the end of the year, and rising unemployment rates. As homeowners prepare to sell their homes in a stiffening market flat fee MLS can provide a competitive advantage to sellers trying to maximize equity, maintain control of the transaction, and create a pricing advantage.
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Posted by admin on July 4th, 2006
Traditional agents are fighting to keep market share
In 2002, flat fee MLS listings and discount MLS listings represented less than 2 percent of the market share. 2005 showed a marked increase as 11 percent of home sellers utilized the services of an "alternative" provider to sell their home. As market share has increased for such service providers, full service-traditional agents and brokers have pushed back actually forcing the intervention of the Department of Justice. As litigation continues surrounding the alternative listing models and "minimum service requirements" traditional brokers have found other business models to attack. 2005 has marked the arrival of Zillow and Zestimates, Redfin, BuySide Realty and other alternative models to the outdated real estate transaction process. While flat fee MLS and discount brokers have been a topic of debate for some time now, new models focusing on the buy side of the transaction are coming under scrutiny. Redfin and BuySide Realty have both recently been in the news because agents are boycotting their buyers and refusing to show them homes.
In one case an agent is trying to refuse commission payment to BuySide because it was she who showed the home to the purchaser - even though the purchaser had a buyer agency with BuySide and disclosed such information before seeing the home. In another case involving Redfin, an agent would not take an offer written through the Redfin buyer program.
The bottom line is full-service agents are going to do everything in their power to dissuade customers from using any alternative model, whether a buyer or a seller. But it seems as hard as they push, they are only drawing more attention to the existing commission structure that consumers are growing more and more tired of paying. As a home seller you could be forfeiting $30,000-$40,000 in realtor commissions, the equivalent of a brand new luxury vehicle. You are PAYING that much to SELL your home, sounds weird right?
Posted by admin on June 1st, 2006
Another state eliminates consumer choice
The decision of the Michigan State Senate to pass the DOJ opposed bill effectively removes the opportunity for home sellers to take advantage of low cost real estate alternatives. The new bill mandates licensees who enter into service agreements with clients must provide certain services for that client, including acceptance and delivery of offers and counteroffers; assistance in developing, communicating, negotiating and presenting offers, counter-offers and related documents or notices; and furnishing or causing to be furnished a complete and detailed closing statement.
How can laws be passed that stifle competition? The notion that these limited service laws are created out of concern for consumers is absolutely ludicrous. Even though proponents of these minimum service laws maintain that the laws remain neutral with respect to alternative models, that just is not true. The laws increase both the responsibility and liability of the listing broker forcing a change in the existing structure and business model of limited service brokerages. These brokerages include flat fee MLS companies and other discount brokers. Consumers should be empowered with choice and these laws do the opposite. These laws will most likely lead to an increase in fees associated with the home sale.
Enough just cannot be said about how outrageous these laws are!
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Posted by admin on April 6th, 2006
Supply catching up to demand
The 45% of agents reporting a higher number of buyers than sellers is far more balanced than the 61% just 3 months ago. The final results of the survey tallied 45% of agents reporting more buyers than sellers, 31% reported more sellers than buyers, and the remaining 24% reported a balanced split. The balanced split could serve as an explanation to other results of the survey.
- Home inventories are continuing to rise
- Multiple offer frequency has decreased by 31% from 70% in the first quarter of 2005 compared to 39% in the first quarter of 2006
- Only 7% of sellers are getting more than the asking price
As the market continues to cool it will be important to use selling tactics for a slow market. Flat fee MLS listing is a good alternative to the traditional method saving sellers thousands in commissions. The MLS is an important marketing tool as 75% of home sales take place through the Multiple Listing Service. Sellers will have the opportunity to use commission savings advantageously in pricing and enticing agents to bring potential buyers.
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