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What is the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?
The Multiple Listing Service, MLS, is a marketing database system, used by Realtors®, containing all of the properties listed by Realtors® . It is designed to help a Realtor® find a buyer for your home.
When a buyer contacts an agent regarding a home purchase, the Realtor® will search through the MLS for homes meeting their needs.
For just about all Realtors® the MLS is the only place they look to find homes for their buyers. And most buyers use a Realtor® because the service is free for buyers. Realtors® don't want to waste their time with unqualified buyers, therefore they will always insist that the buyer be pre-qualified or pre-approved. So when a Realtor® brings a buyer to see your home, that buyer should be able to buy your home.
That's the reason over 80% of all homes sold have been listed in the MLS.
The National Assoc. of Realtors® states that on average a listing agent will sell only 1 out of 5 of his/her listings. The other 4 are sold by agents who looked for available homes for their buyers in the MLS.
With over 15,000 Realtors® in the Central Florida area, your chances are very high that one of them will find a buyer for your home!
If all you do is list your home in the MLS, you've got an excellent chance of selling your home. Why? Because the MLS gives your home the best exposure to the largest group of home buyers available, those working with REALTORS®!
Why do you offer your services for such a low fee?
We believe that today's customers are looking for these services at reasonable fees. We can do a greater volume of business and at the same time save you money! For us it's also a matter of conscience.
How long will my home be listed in the MLS and the national real estate websites?
Your $399 listing can remain active as long as it takes to sell. It shouldn't take that long to sell, because a home without anything unusual and that is "priced right" will probably sell by then.
Can I remove my home from the market ?
Yes. You can cancel your listing at any time prior to having a contract on your home.
Will my listing look like any other MLS listing?
Yes. Your listings are identical to all other listings in the MLS. Cooperating Realtors® will be offered a commission, just like all the other listings.
Will you place your sign in my yard?
It's your option whether to have our sign, or not. If you choose to have our sign it must be allowed by your community.
Can I have a "For Sale By Owner" sign, too?
You will actually be decreasing your chances of selling your home. Realtors® will probably not take buyers to see your home if it has a “FSBO” sign out front. The MLS will not allow the home to be listed if you place a "FSBO" sign.
Can I change the price of my home on the MLS listing?
Yes, you can change your listing at any time, within reason.
Do you advertise in newspapers, magazines, and hold open houses?
We believe the Multiple Listing Service, MLS, is a very effective marketing system. As long as your home is "priced right" without any unusual terms and/or any unique problems, the MLS is extremely effective in marketing your home. Your home will also appear on Realtor.com, MSN House & Home, and our own website where internet savvy buyers are always looking. However if you'd like we can provide these services for a fee.
Will my listing appear with photos of my home?
Yes. There may be up to 10 photos of your property available on the MFR-MLS and up to 25 on Realtor.com when you choose an Enhanced Listing.
How can my home sell at the highest price in the least amount of time?
It requires a mix of marketing and home pricing to accomplish both goals. Statistics tell us that homes that are priced "right" sell at the highest price in the least amount of time. Listing your home in the MLS just about takes care of the marketing side, since about 80% of all homes sold were listed in the MLS. Of course there are a number of other factors including, you guessed it, location, location, location, home style, condition, etc.
How will other Realtors® show my home?
They will show your home as per your specific instructions in the MLS. Usually they will call you to schedule the showing. If you are not home and a lockbox is available, they will enter using their electronic key.
Should I have a lockbox?
The MLS tells us that homes with a lockbox sell 30% more often than homes without a lockbox. They allow convenient, controlled access to a home. You don't need to run home for every showing or feel trapped in your home waiting to open the door for the agent. They enable last-minute showings, and make agents more likely to show the home.
Our lockboxes are "Electronic" and they are opened with an electronic "key". A record is created with the key number, the date & time, and the name of the agent that entered your home. This info allows us to know who entered your home. If you'd like a lockbox there is a $99 rental fee when listing for $399. No fee when listing for 1.5%.
If my home needs a lot of repairs can it still be sold?
Yes. But the price would have to be adjusted accordingly. There are many buyers looking for "fixer uppers" at the right price.
Can Quest Realty Services help me find a new home after I've sold this one?
It would be our pleasure to help you find your new home.
How do your services differ from "Full Service"
"Full service” is supposed to mean that your hand will be held throughout the process. You'll be told that they have the best marketing system to sell your home. I always wondered if they have such a great marketing system, why do they still insist on listing the home in the MLS and splitting the commission with some other agent?
Why not let their great marketing system sell the home allowing them to pocket the entire commission? If and when your home is sold by a Broker other than the listing Broker, you should pay the listing Broker no more than 1.5%.
The reality is that the marketing effectiveness of the MLS is what sells homes not all the promises and hype you will hear during the listing presentation.
Unless you like to give money away, call or email me today for more details! and save thousands $$$
Armando "Manny" Rodriguez
407-427-7354 or email |