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Frequently Asked Questions
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1 - Why being listed in MLS is so important? |
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MLS stands for "Multiple Listing Service", and is
"the real estate market". Over 90% of all
properties sold in the US
are as a result of MLS listing exposure. Being listed in MLS means all the local
Realtors can find your home in their MLS database. Buyers can find your home on
thousands of public MLS websites, where they are most likely to be searching for
a home. MLS listed properties (for sale by owner or not) sell faster and for
more money than non-MLS listed "for sale by owner" properties. |
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2 - Why a Flat Fee MLS Listing? |
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You get the same MLS listing in
the same local MLS.If you sell your home
without a buyer's agent involved, there is zero commission. Your listing will
get more exposure on hundreds of national MLS websites. |
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3- Why we are the best choice for Flat Fee MLS Listing services?
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We are easy to reach by phone.
Most online companies cut costs by avoiding answering the phone, or you can only reach them by email. It can
be very frustrating when you have a problem and can't talk to anyone. We are
local Brokers. We live and work in your neighborhood. 99.9% customer
satisfaction rate (100% is impossible because some people are impossible to
please). NO HIDDEN FEES - We let you know what's included before you sign up so
there are no surprises. Our brokers have been handling listings for many years,
and strive to provide excellent customer service. You get a FREE webpage hosted
on our website to help you promote your listing. |
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4 - Who will be my listing agent?
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Are you paying the upfront listing fee directly to your listing
agent, or is the money being sent to a referral firm that is planning to
subcontract your listing to a third party listing agent? Dealing directly with
the listing agent allows you to know exactly who will be handling your
transaction before you pay. It will also allow you to check the Better Business
Bureau report on the listing agency to learn how they have handled previous
business. Check the agent's website for listing procedures and local properties.
Ask for MLS comparables before listing. We are a local brokerage service serving the Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Metropolitan Area |
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5 - Will I be able to view my listing documents before I pay? |
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Having access to a full preview of your completed listings documents is a critical step in selecting the
right flat fee listing. Not all listings are created equal. Viewing the
documents will show what you are obligated to pay as well as the specific terms
and conditions of your listing. Insist on access to fully-completed documents
before you pay. Through the Point 2 Agent and
RELAY Transaction Management you will be able to preview your listing and view
your documents |
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6 - Will my complete listing be
placed in my local MLS? |
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A complete listing includes full property information (not just
minimum required fields), along with maximum property photos and all required
property disclosures. Your listing agent should create a complete listing for
your property so that it is presented properly to potential buyers. It should be
nothing less than those created by full-service agents. Partial MLS listings may
negatively affect a buyer's perception of your property and influence the
decisions they make. Missing property disclosures can delay potential offers and
can even provide a buyer's right of rescission in some states. Today's real
estate market can be challenging. It is wise to list with an agency that
provides full exposure for your listing.
Your listing will be complete as well as the maximum photos allowed by the
CMLS system and any other websites your property is listed on. |
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7 - Will I be charged extra for
listing changes and will I be required to pay a cancellation fee if I withdraw
my listing? |
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Your MLS listing should always be accurate and updated with your
property status and information. It is important to choose an agent that will
allow you make price and status changes at no additional fee. Prior to
purchasing your flat fee listing, you should find out exactly how change
requests will be made. A proper method of requesting changes to your listing
should be self-documenting and should track the history of your changes in a
manner you can access. Your listing agent should make the update promptly and
provide you with a copy of the updated listing sheet. Note that some MLS
services do charge the seller a small fee to withdraw a listing. However your
agent should not add on. You will not be charged extra
for price, status changes, add-ons or withdrawals |
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8 - Does my listing agent have a
reliable process for managing my listing? |
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It is important to maintain a working relationship with your
listing agent. That includes having ongoing access to all transaction documents.
Most successful agencies maintain a large portfolio of listings which can be
difficult to manage simply by phone or email. Make sure your agent has a
scalable, defined process for managing listings to prevent your listing from
being overlooked or mishandled. Online transaction systems provide convenient,
secure access to all parties involved in the transaction.
At McDonald Realty Group we use the RELAY Online Transaction Management system
to provide that convenient and secure access to all parties involved in the
transaction |
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9 - What is included in my listing
package? Max Photos? Virtual Tour? Color Brochure? "Showcase" Realtor.com?
Appointment Services? Lockbox? Yard Sign? Syndication to major national and
local real estate websites? |
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These are the features that will make your listing stand out from
the crowd and catch a buyer’s attention. Before you pay, find out exactly which
features are included in your listing package and which ones cost extra. Some
features (such as lockbox) are typically optional, however a good listing
package should include everything needed to promote your property. Working
directly with the listing agent should allow you to obtain these specific
details before you pay. We offer several plans which offer the above features. Click here to view the
features of each plan |
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10 - Will I be able to sell By
Owner without paying additional fees? |
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One of the reasons to choose a flat fee listing is to gain MLS and
Realtor.com exposure while keeping the option to sell By Owner and not pay a
real estate commission. Make sure (in writing) that your listing agreement
allows you to save the commission if you procure the buyer and handle the
transaction By Owner. The listing should also provide you with access to current
real estate forms. YES, our Listing Agreement is
worded so you keep your For Sale By Owner Status |
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11 - Will unrepresented Buyer
leads be given to me or referred to an agent who may expect to earn a
commission? |
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It's important that any leads generated by your flat fee listing be
handled properly. You may choose to have them referred to an agent who can work
with the buyer to get an offer. However, you should be given the option to have
those leads sent directly to you. Before purchasing your listing, check to make
sure your leads will be handled per your instruction. Your agent should be
equipped to display your contact information and/or website URL to buyers, if
requested. Paid Flat Fee owners have the
option to have unrepresented buyers go directly to them or be represented by one
of our Brokers |
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12 - Will my listing agent accept
incoming offers and forward them to me in a timely manner? |
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Many listing agents will instruct the buyer's agent to contact the
seller directly when an offer has been written. This can easily discourage many
agents and may influence which properties they promote to buyers. Even when the
listing terms state that the seller is responsible for offer negotiation and
contract closing, it is important that buyer's agent be able to submit the
initial offer to the listing agent. Ask if your listing agent will accept
incoming offers and forward them to you.
We accept all initial offers and forward immediately and directly to the
seller. Your offers will be entered into the RELAY Online Transaction Management
system and be immediately available to you |
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13 - Will I have an option to
request negotiation and closing assistance if I get in a tight spot and need
help? |
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It is recommended that you place your flat fee listing with an
agency that offers additional contract negotiation and closing services. These
services should be optional and any associated fee should only be due and
payable if the contract closes.
Yes, we also offer Full Service Broker Services to those who need and desire it.
There is an associated fee due and payable only if the contract closes |
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