When selling their house, some people go with an agent and the MLS, and some people do it themselves without the MLS. This last category has historically been called “FSBO, or For-Sale-By-Owner.” I regard these people with more dignity than many, and I think of them as “Independent Homesellers,” and would like to introduce that term to the dialog at this time. It may be a matter of semantics, but I thought the explanation to be important. I am the champion of the Independent Homeseller, and this MLS connection is, of course, one of the subject of my books, but a question has prompted me to touch on it lightly here, too.
Can An Independent Have Access to the MLS?
The answer is “no.” And the answer is “yes.”
Direct access to the Multiple Listing Service is available only to someone who is a state licensed real estate agent, AND a member of the local, state, and national Board of Realtors, AND a member of the actual MLS. In other words, it is fairly exclusionary, which makes it even more valuable, but it’s FUNCTION is what determines its value in the first place. Some feel that a house is not for sale unless it’s in the MLS where everybody can see it.
Historically, the MLS is one of the prime reasons a person would list their house with an agent to be sold. Martin Properties, on the other hand, practices Graduated Services Real Estate, in which an Independent Homeseller can promote his or her house on the MLS, but still do much of the selling process work on their own, and save a lot of commission. Just a word, here, it is a lot of work to sell your own house, but doing that work yourself will save you a lot of money.
The process also is not always intuitive, so it is important to be associated with an agent who can provide supervision and advice as well as access to the MLS. There are a few agents who have begun offer this flat-fee MLS service recently. The important thing to do is to interview an agent and look at his system. Your house is no place for on-the-job-training, and we have been here for thirty years. (See www-FSBO-GUY.com)
Besides Flat Fee MLS, what ELSE will save me some money?
Our job here at the www.ReasonableRealtor.com is to help you save money, and selling your own house, or HELPING to sell your own house will save you money! In the month of March we will also be dealing with ways to make your kitchen “POP” to help you sell your house whether on your own or listed with a Realtor. Specifically, we will be talking about “under cabinet lighting” and even ‘kitchen cabinet refinishing” in coming articles.
And never forget we go into much more depth about all of these subjects in my new book, The NEW REAL ESTATE, available on the upper right of this page. Also, if you join our list and subscribe here, you will always hear if new money-saving tips in advance of anyone else.
Yes, I am the Reasonable Realtor, Don Martin, MARTIN PROPERTIES (615) 973-8970. Just make your comments here, or you can reach the Dean of Graduated Realtors at www.FSBO-GUY.com or “like” him at http://www.facebook.com/MartinProps Quiet Lawnmowers Here.
