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Frequently Asked Questions |
Sellers
Q: What is the MLS?
Q: If I use Collier & Associates Real Estate, LLC to list my house, what do I pay the Realtor who finds a buyer for my home through the MLS?
Q: Is there any way around this 2% - 3% commission.
Q: What if I find my own buyer?
Q: How long is the listing period and will my listing appear differently than other listings in MLS?
Q: What Internet sites will my home be featured in?
Q: What's included for the $499. flat fee?
Q: What if I'm not comfortable handling the paperwork and negotiations required in a real estate transaction?
Q: What is included in the just over 1/2 of 1%* fee?
Q: Will buyers agents cooperate and bring buyers to my house since I'm using a fee for service firm?
Q: What are examples of my savings?
Sellers
Q: What is the MLS?
A: The MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is a large computerized database containing ALL of the properties listed by Realtors and seen by Realtors. When a home buyer contacts an agent regarding a home purchase, the Realtor will search through the MLS for properties meeting the buyer’s criteria. Only Realtors have access to the MLS.
Q: If I use Collier & Associates Real Estate, LLC to list my house for a flat fee, what do I pay the Realtor who finds a buyer for my home through the MLS?
A: Depending on your competition, you pay 2% - 3% of the agreed sales price to the buyers agent at closing. This seems high, but the just over 1/2 of 1%* to Collier & Associates Real Estate, LLC plus 3% of the sales price to the buyers agent beats paying a traditional realtor 6% - 7% to put your home in the MLS.
Q: Is there any not to pay the additional 2% - 3% commission?
A: There are only two ways;
1. Should Collier & Associates Real Estate, LLC sell your home we waive the additional fee to the buyer’s agent and you only pay our just over 1/2 of 1%* fee.
2. Selling your home by yourself (for sale by owner).
Other than that there’s no way around the fee. Paying the buyer’s agent motivates them to bring purchasers to your property. Since the MLS outlines commissions for the buyers agents, they know they will get paid no matter who has listed the house.
Q: What if I find my own buyer?
A: If you sell your house yourself, with no buyers agents involved, you pay no additional commissions. Collier & Associates will still be there to help if you need us to write the contract, make sure the buyer is qualified and follow things through for a smooth closing all for our low fee of just over 1/2 of 1%* or 2%*.
Q: How long will my home be listed and will my listing appear differently than other listings in MLS?
A: We list your home until it sells, you may cancel at anytime and we hope to make your home look better than the other homes listed in the MLS by having multiple photos.
Q: What Internet sites will my home on?
A: Through our listing partners your home will also be featured as a Showcase listing on Realtor.com (they are the first to be seen), Yahoo.com real estate classifieds, MSN.com, AOL.com, The Florida Living Network, FSBOonline.com, Collier-Associates.com, and other real estate companies websites.
Q: What’s included in the flat fee of $499.00 Flat Fee
A: Collier & Associates will:
1. List your property on the MLS, list your property on Realtor.com with a Showcase listing and other internet sites.
2. Provide up to 20 digital color photos of your home plus a virtual tour.
3. Handle buyer pre-qualifications so you don’t waste time with unqualified buyers.
4. Provide you with information to get your home ready for sell and a list of vendors and provide you with a guide to navigate the selling process..
5. Provide a talking house number for your home as some people just don’t feel comfortable speaking with a person right off the bat, this allows them to hear your homes features and possibly create more interest to call back.
6. Provide your home it’s own web address a saving if you decide to advertise in the paper.
7. Provide a yard sign and two leader signs to help you advertise your home.
8. * You can lease a Realtor lockbox for an additional fee which includes a follow up system to agents and e-mails you each time an agent accesses the lockbox on your home plus if they respond to our request for feedback it is e-mailed to you too.
Q: What if I don’t feel comfortable handling the paperwork and negotiations required in the real estate transaction?
A: No problems we are here for you all the way, you can upgrade to our just over 1/2 of 1%* or 2%* service at anytime and we credit you what you have already paid, we take care of everything from that point forward.
Q: What's included for the just over 1/2 of 1%* or 2%* fee?
A: Collier & Associates will:
1. List your property on the MLS, list your property on Realtor.com with a Showcase listing and other internet sites.
2. Provide a professional yard sign.
3. * You can lease a lock box only Realtors can access which includes a follow up system to agents and e-mails you each time an agent accesses the lockbox on your home plus if they respond to our request for feedback it is e-mailed to you too.
4. Provide up to 20 digital color photos of your home plus a virtual tour.
5. Set appointments to show your home.
6. Provide contract and inspection negotiations.
7. Follow your contract till closing to ensure a smooth closing and handle the closing process with a local title agency.
8. Handle buyer pre-qualifications so you don’t waste time with unqualified buyers.
9. Provide you with information to get your home ready for sell and a list of vendors and provide you with a guide to navigate the selling process.
10. Provide a talking house number for your home as some people just don’t feel comfortable speaking with a person right off the bat, this allows them to hear your homes features and possibly create more interest to call back.
11. Provide your home it’s own web address.
Q: Will buyers agents cooperate and bring buyers to my house since I'm using a reduced fee Real Estate firm or a flat fee for service listing?
A: First with our just over 1/2 of 1%* or 2%* program other agents experience the same service they would with any other real estate firm. Many sellers fear that they will be "black balled" by full service buyers agents. Our expereince has shown that buyers agents do not discriminate against our sellers - agents are interested in making a living and you're offering the same compensation that full service agents offer. In addition, the modern home buying process is largely buyer driven - the majority of buyers tell their agents which houses they want to see after previewing them on the internet - regardless of the listing company.
Q: What are example of my savings?
A: See the following charts and call or e-mail us with any questions.
Based on a sales price of $200,000.
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Traditional Real Estate Transaction |
Deluxe MLS Listing |
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Your costs |
$14,000
(7% of $200,000) |
$499.
(Deluxe MLS Listing Fee)
$6,000
(3% "CO-OP" fee paid to an agent if they bring a buyer) |
|
Total paid after sale |
$14,000 |
$6,499 |
|
Savings |
Savings of $0 |
Savings of $7,509 !!!
Sell yourself and Pay No Commission.
Savings of $13,501!! |
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Traditional Real Estate Transaction |
Premium MLS Listing w/ Realtor Assistance |
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Your costs |
$14,000
(7% of $200,000) |
$629.
(Deluxe MLS Listing Fee)
$6,000
(3% "CO-OP" fee paid to an agent if they bring a buyer)
$1,000
½% to Listing Broker for Assistance just like any other Realtor with Paperwork and follow through |
|
Total paid after sale |
$14,000 |
$7,629. |
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Savings |
Savings of $0 |
Savings of $6,371!!!
If No Co-Op Broker you pay only $1,629 We waive the co-op fee on direct buyers.
Savings of $12,371!!! |
*just over 1/2 of 1% fee equals a $629.00 upfront fee plus 1/2 of 1% at closing to listing broker.
*2% We will list your home for 2% with no upfront fee.
*You may lease a Realtor lockbox for an additional fee of $135.00 at anytime during your listing on MLS, or a combination Lockbox for only $50.00 at anytime during your listing. | 
