Frequently asked questions about real estate and selling your home.

 

What is the MLS?
The Realtor Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a computerized database containing all of the properties on the market through real estate brokerage companies. When anyone contacts an agent regarding a home purchase, the agent will search the MLS for properties meeting their criteria.


Is this the real MLS?

Yes. As a licensed broker, Select a Fee Real Estate System belongs to the same MLS as other real estate companies. For example, Select a Fee Real Estate System belongs to the Multiple Listing Service of Northern Illinois (MLSNI) which covers 6 counties has over 50,000 realtor members in the Chicagoland area.


Will my listing look the same as all the other listings?

Absolutely. Listings are all formatted by the MLS and all are identical.


Can I still sell my home "By Owner"?

Yes. Unlike listing your home with a traditional real estate company, Select a Fee Real Estate System will not take away your right to sell your home by owner. In fact, Select a Fee Real Estate System encourages you to market your property by owner. Our only restriction is that you do not place a "For Sale By Owner" sign in your yard or window while listed in the Realtor MLS.


Why can't I use a "For Sale By Owner" sign?

We have found that Realtors are reluctant to show a buyer a home that has a "For Sale By Owner" sign. Therefore to use your own sign would eliminate benefits of being in the Realtor MLS.


Why do I need to be listed in the MLS?

Exposure!!! 85% of all home buyers get their information from Realtor agents using the MLS. Listing your home in the MLS will let Realtor agents know that your home is for sale. You will also have qualified buyers viewing your home because Realtor agents don't want to waste their time working with buyers who can't afford it.


Will you list my home on the internet?

Yes! As Realtors, Select a Fee Real Estate System works through your local MLS to add our listings to their high-traffic Real Estate website such as Realtor.com, ChicagoTribune.com, Yahoo.com, Homeadvisor.com, Homeseekers.com, Homes.com and Selectafee.com plus another 50 sites such as New York Times, AOL , Wall Street Journal etc…


How much do I have to offer in cooperating commission to have other REALTORS show my home?

The fee you offer is totally negotiable. The rule of thumb is always be competitive with your competition. And when the market is slower sometimes it make sense to offer a bonus or little more commission to the Realtor buyer agent. Find out what the other brokers are offering in your area and use that as a guide.


What happens if something goes wrong or I'm unhappy with your service?

We offer you an opportunity for a 100% refund if you're not happy with the service plan that you chose. Select a Fee Real Estate System is also a member of the Better Business Bureau to assure you that you are dealing with pure professionals with a clean track record after 1,000+ transactions and not one complaint.


What if I find my own buyer?
If you find your buyer that's great! You still retain the right to sell your home on you're own and pay anything to any Realtor buyer agents.


Will other Realtor agents still show my home?
Of course they will! Realtor agents make their money from commissions. As long as you are offering a competitive commission, Realtor agents will show your home. It is also against the law to not show a home based on the commission being offered. Realtor agents not only jeopardize their licence but are not acting in the best interest of their clients.

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