New Real Estate Service Gives Home Sellers More Options

by Chris Miller

Jan 6, 2006, Atlanta, GA  Before the concept of homes for sale by owner became a popular choice, traditional real estate was the only method of selling a home. A third option is now rapidly beginning to take center stage and has garnered interest among sellers who are no longer willing to forsake six to seven per cent of their home equity or to go it alone in selling their homes. This third option now available to sellers is a Flat Flee Listing Service and  “its recent popularity, at least in Georgia, may be foretelling the newest trend in selling homes”, according to Carolyn West of Total Choice Realty.

A Flat Fee Listing Service charges a flat fee, usually starting in the $399 and up range and provides home sellers with a listing in the real estate Multiple Listing Service and First Multiple Listing Service databases.  Some flat fee agencies even provide additional services for this single price that typically include a Comparative Market Analysis, yard sign, lockbox, brochure box, and postings on various real estate websites.

The homeowner who chooses the for sale by owner method, does not have the MLS listing option and the maximized exposure that this multiple listing service provides.  Thus, home sellers find themselves wasting their valuable time.  Ninety per cent of all home sales in Georgia originate from a listing in a multiple listing service.

Flat Fee Listing Services assist the seller who wants to have more control over the process required to sell a house.  But, not all flat fee listing services are the same. Some flat fee listing services offer ala carte pricing, where a flat fee provides the basics, but with each additional service, additional fees are incurred.

Some flat fee listing services truly are flat fee, meaning home sellers pay a flat fee for a bundle of services that will assist them in selling their home…their way. These agencies not only provide the MLS listings for a flat fee, but, some provide website postings, yard signs and other various, valuable services as well.

Today, people want choices that suit their particular budget and needs.  While some prefer the full-service that traditional real estate offers, others prefer to go it alone.  But, for those in between, those wanting to pocket more equity without sacrificing the exposure that the multiple listing provides……a FLAT FEE listing service may just be the way to go.