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Recently our company joined another MLS and I was required to attend an MLS Orientation. Being in a class filled with brand new Realtors brought back memories of my start in real estate back in 1989 and also made me feel like a grizzled veteran. I struggled to resist the temptation to tell stories of how it was back when I started in real estate and the challenges to get established in the...
We just had a seller who was having trouble getting showings on their listing, and therefore their home was taking longer to sell then they expected. I had a chance to talk to them, and looked at their listing and saw the common listing comments "hardwood floors, across the street from a park, remodeled bathroom..." and then I saw it: "No showings without 24 hour notice and no showings between...
I just got back from a trip to a conference at the Consumer Federation of America (CFA). I was invited to represent flat fee brokers in a CFA Real Estate working group. The CFA wants to support the growth of flat fee mls listings by advocating for fair competition and vigorous enforcement against any traditional broker that attempts to compete unfairly. Our working group will meet regularly,...
A few weeks ago a reporter with Money Magazine flew into town and wanted to interview me about a number of real estate topics, including flat fee MLS listings and closing costs. I was happy to help out in any way. I liked the way the reporter focused on finding tips that their readers can use to save money on their closing costs, which isn't easy.
I hope that I will be mentioned in the article...
I am frequently asked by Flat Fee Sellers "what should I offer as a commission amount to the buyers agent?" or more directly "can I save even more money by offering the buyer agent a lower commission?"
I have a strong opinion on this topic: Pay the most common buyer commission amount for your given area, around half the total commission sellers pay to sell a home the traditional, expensive way...
In the past year I have been contacted by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC). It seems they want to make sure that as the Flat Fee MLS Listing evolution of the MLS takes off and becomes popular, that there is no backlash from traditional brokers. I have often worried that as Flat Fee Brokers become more successful that traditional...
I am excited to start a log of what is going on in the flat fee MLS industry. I firmly believe that flat fee listings are the future of real estate and look forward to discussing their development here. My goal is that this blog with be a resource for consumers considering a flat fee listing, as well as a way to for sellers to learn how to best sell their home.
For those of you who don''t...
This week ABC Television News broadcast a lengthy story on Albert Hepp and the "new" Flat Fee MLS Listing selling option for real estate sellers. The story showed an interview with Albert about how the service works, and how successful sellers have been. BuySelf Realty's yard sign and website were also prominently shown in the video story.
This month's issue of Parents Magazine had the following quotes about FlatFeeMLSListing.com: "Selling your home? You don't have to pay a 6 percent brokers fee…to cut costs, Check out FlatFeeMLSListing.com"
This week the Philadelphia Inquirer did a story with FlatFeeMLSListing.com, here are some of our favorite quotes from the story: "Why pay an agent 5, 6, or 7 percent? …it’s not as difficult as many real estate agents would have you believe…Most buyers work through real estate agents, so…have your property listed on the Multiple Listing Service, the mother lode of homes for sale…FlatFeeMLSListing...