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laurisantafe

fsbo questions: flat fee listing services??? Websites?

7 years ago

Hi:

Any thoughts on the best flat fee mls listing services? I don't need a realtor--I was a realtor in a past life. Just looking ahead in case I need to get the word out to a broader audience.

Also, any suggestions on places to list fsbo? Loving Zillow. Craigslist and Facebook are not listing the nicer properties in my area so I have ruled them out so far.

Thanks!

Lauri

Comments (2)

  • 7 years ago

    I used Zillow to sell my home. At that time (5 yrs ago) it was free and allowed many photos to be uploaded. I did pay a fee to the buyer's realtor, but I was generally happy. I think more people now go to Zillow than then. I did look at a few flat fee listers, but all you got for the fee was an MLS listing. Good luck!

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    It's a two-edged sword. Like you, I have extensive knowledge more than sufficient to conduct a transaction, but it is hard to find buyers on your own who feel competent to do so. They are told it is far too complex to do on their own, so they get agents to whom they pay thousands of dollars in the purchase price (shifting that to your proceeds by one time showing agreements). I find that perplexing as an attorney would be a better choice but they would rather not pay a little up front.

    Agents do not wish to deal with FSBOs, and will do so only under compulsion. They think it is more work for them (and it might be, with unknowledgeable sellers but not with knowledgeable ones). They will try to get the deal first, and if you don't know what you are doing, you end up listing with them. At the least, they will demand a one time showing agreement.

    When you have a flat fee agent (and I have used a great one multiple times), it takes longer to sell because there are agents who object to anyone undermining their system and won't show those flat fee listing houses to their clients (unless clients insist, which they might do when your photos and house are fabulous). Everyone insists this doesn't happen, but it does. So just a few things to take into consideration.


    You will have to research your area and see who does flat fee listings and whose name shows up most frequently on the listings and then interview those people. There are likely a few. If you want to do FBSO, Zillow and Redfin are a couple that I have heard do a lot of business.

    laurisantafe thanked midcenturymodernlove