Frequently Asked Questions: Greenville SC Flat Fee MLS $250 Flat Fee Listing
What is the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)? The MLS is a database of homes for sale. Agents use the MLS to find homes for buyers that they represent. Listing a home on the MLS notifies all local brokers that your home is for sale. Only licensed real estate agents, brokers and realtors can list property for sale on the MLS.
Is it Difficult to Sell without an Agent? Thousands of people just like you have sold their home by using flat fee MLS services and saved thousands in commissions. It does require some planning and work, but it's not complicated. If you use the tools and support we offer, you can sell as good as any professional. In the end, you care more about your sale and know your property better than any real estate agent. Call us if you have any questions about how it works or what to do next (864) 313-3337.
How does the MLS Help Me Sell My Home? Greenville SC Real estate agents use the MLS almost exclusively to search for homes for their clients. Over 80% of buyers are represented by agents, so it is a "must have" if you want to reach the most buyers and receive the most offers. In other words, if you don’t list on the MLS you'll be missing out on reaching 4 out of 5 buyers. The truth is most sellers agents don't go looking for buyers; they typically list a house on the local MLS and then are contacted by other agents that have a buyer looking to purchase a home. You can use this same professional tool and possibly save thousands in seller agent commissions. Call if you have more questions. We are happy to explain the process step by step.
How does listing on Realtor.com® help me sell my home? Realtor.com® is one of the largest real estate websites and resource that the public uses for finding homes. By listing your Greenville SC real estate on Realtor.com® your property is assured to have the widest exposure with access to millions of house hunters across the country. It is a key element in any serious home selling plan.
Is the MLS the same as Realtor.com®? No. The MLS system is made up of hundreds of local independent MLS’s across the country overseen by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Realtors® pay a fee to join their local MLS and use it almost exclusively to find and advertise homes for their clients.
Realtor.com® is a national real estate website operated by NAR to give the public access to MLS listings. Only homes that have been listed on a local MLS through a licensed agent will be shown on Realtor.com®
How Much Does Listing on the MLS Cost? It depends on the package you choose. The cost of our basic flat fee MLS listing package (MLS Pro) is a one-time, up-front flat fee of just $250. You pay no listing commission.
What is the Length of the Listing Period? The basic flat fee MLS listing period is 6 months (MLS Pro). There are other package options for homeowners which include an 8 or 12 month listing period. Also remember that listings can be withdrawn from the MLS at any time by written request as long as the property is not under contract with a buyer.
Who Handles the Listing Paperwork? All the necessary listing forms will be provided to the property owner by Greenville Realty, LLC. The owner is responsible for filling-out all forms. Once completed, you may email, or mail them back to Greenville Realty, LLC.
Are There Any Seller’s (Listing) Agent Commissions? No. You only pay one flat fee at the time of listing (with the exception of the Full Service Listing Package) to Greenville Realty, LLC to place your home on the MLS - that's it!
Are There Buyer's Agent Commissions? Only if a buyer who is represented by an agent purchases your property, would you be required pay the buyer's agent a commission. You decide how much commission to offer as part of the MLS listing process. The commission you're willing to pay is stated on the MLS listing. It is NOT negotiated on an agent by agent basis. We recommend offering a commission between 2.5% – 3% since your listing will be competing with others for agent's attention.
What if I Find a Buyer Myself? Will I have to pay any commissions? No. No commissions are owed if you find a buyer on your own (who is not represented by an agent).
Whose Phone Number is on the MLS? The MLS listing will display both the owners contact information and the listing agent. There will be instructions in the MLS listing for agents to contact the property owner directly for any showings (unless otherwise noted). If the listing agent inadvertently receives inquiries about your property, the interested parties will be directed contact the owner to set up showings and discuss details about your property. Realtor.com and other 3rd party websites do not allow the seller's phone number to appear in their listings, so any calls received from interested buyers will be advised to call the property owner directly.
How Soon Will I Be Listed After I Sign Up? Listings will typically appear in the MLS database within 1 business day after all forms have been completed and submitted. Once listed on the MLS, it typically takes REALTOR.com and other real estate websites 24 to 48 hours to upload listings to their site. This is an automatic upload and can't be expedited.
How Many People Will See My Listing? Just like any agent-sponsored listing, a flat fee MLS listing will receive national exposure on the Realtor.com® website. Realtor.com is open to the public and is one of the most popular real estate website on the Internet. Only properties listed on the MLS can appear on Realtor.com. In addition, MLS listings may be featured on Google, AOL, Yahoo!, MSN® Real Estate, Trulia®, Zillow and other real estate websites that attract thousands of local buyers.
What About Photos? Upload digital photos of the exterior and interior of the house (Full Service Package Excluded). Photos need to be saved in a .jpg file, with a minimum of 800 x 800 pixels. Email photos to GreenvilleRealtyLLC@gmail.com. The Maximum number of photos allowed on the MLS and REALTOR.com may vary.
Can I Get More Help if I need it? Greenville Realty, LLC. can provide additional services including full contract review, negotiation assistance, inspection review, and closing support. These services are available for an additional fixed fee (MLS Pro Plus and Full Service Package Excluded). If you are interested in extra services, please call us at (864) 313-3337 for assistance.
Can I use a Yard Sign? Yes. Although a sign is not required, Greenville Realty will provide you with a yard sign with both the MLS Pro Plus & MLS Full Service Packages. The MLS Pro package does not include a sign.
Do I have to list my home on Realtor.com® to sell it? A Realtor.com listing is a critical step for any serious home seller because Realtor.com® is one of the top ranked real estate sites nationally and one of the most important sites used by the general public to search for homes. By listing your home on Realtor.com® you are assured the wide exposure with access to millions of house hunters across the country, while retaining the right to sell for sale by owner without paying any commissions.
Is this the same Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for Realtors®? Yes, this is the exact same MLS that Realtors use. Realtors® join their local MLS and on occasion those of nearby towns. They use the MLS almost exclusively to find homes for their clients. Remember, one flat fee covers our service; no additional fees are owed to the listing agent.
Do Realtors® show buyers homes not listed on the MLS? Not typically. Realtors® are paid by splitting the commissions paid by sellers. Most Realtors® will primarily show properties that are listed for sale with a listing agent and have a stated commission split listed on the MLS. With a Flat Fee MLS listing, you specify what percentage you are willing to offer a buyer’s agent, typically 2.5% - 3%, but remember that you’ll be saving the entire cost of paying a sellers agent commission. Realtors® prefer to avoid FSBO sellers because of the time and uncertainty it requires to negotiate a commission. By solving this problem up front with an MLS listing, the buyer’s broker is assured that they will be paid and open your house to be shown by all the agents representing buyers.
Do agents use Realtor.com®, or just buyers? Realtor.com® is open to the public, but the vast majority of the users are individual buyers looking for a home. Realtors® typically use their own MLS service to find property listings. Because Realtor.com reaches millions of buyers even those without agents, it enhances your chances of selling FSBO if you find an independent buyer. Remember, if you find a buyer without an agent you will owe no commission.
Do I have to sign a listing agreement with Greenville Realty? Yes, you are required to sign an agreement in order to list your property on the MLS. However, this is to protect the terms and conditions you are paying for; and to offer a cooperative commission to any agent that procures a buyer for you. And keep in mind that even though your home is listed in the MLS, you always retain the right to sell your home for sale by owner and are not obligated to work with a buyer represented by an agent.
Am I able to cancel my listing and sign up with a full service agent? Yes, you may cancel your flat fee MLS listing anytime during the listing period with no further obligation as long as your property is not under contract with a buyer.
Who should I speak with for questions regarding my MLS listing? Feel free to contact Greenville Realty @ (864)313-3337 if you have any questions.
A recent U.S. Department of Justice study found that "Consumers Can Save Thousands of Dollars in Commissions" by using a flat fee MLS service when selling their home (see the Department of Justice website) .
More Questions? Call Us.
(864) 313-3337