Alternative Method for Selling Your Home or Condo in South Florida – Flat Fee MLS You do not always have to go the traditional route when listing and selling your home. Can you actually list a home on the MLS without paying a 5-7% commission? The answer is yes. Along with doing all the right things that come with selling your home on your own, you can also combine that with a Flat Fee MLS listing. You need to make sure that you choose the MLS Company carefully and there are several things to look for. One important thing is that you should be allowed to sell on your own and not pay any fee. The reason this is so important is because you hear a lot of stories from people who found their own buyer but still had to pay a commission. For example, the next door neighbor sees the sign goes up and refers a cousin who ends up buying, and you pay the full 6% for them to only perform the contract writing, inspections, attend the closing, etc. It is good to choose an MLS listing service which has good person to person support and answers the phone when you call. The last thing you need is to not be able to make any changes once the listing is entered into the MLS. Changes like price drops or adjusting minor details should always be easy to do and free of charge. There are services which boast low pricing starting at around $49 and services which add extra features which can go up to around $1,000 or more depending on the level of services. The key is that you want to choose the lowest pricing with all other factors being equivalent. Most people typically choose a Flat Fee MLS service based on who has the highest ranking in the Google searches which is not always the best way to decide. Try to see if there are online reviews for the company you are considering. Right now there are not all that many reviews online for Flat Fee MLS companies and the most important thing is that they are a member of the local board of Realtors, and that you gain a level of comfort with the way you are treated as a customer. Make sure that all of your questions are answered knowledgeably and with a certain level of expertise and confidence. It might be smart to give a quick call to the Board of Realtors for the city you are located in and make sure the company is a member in good standing with full MLS privileges. In addition, you might check with the BBB but not all of the smaller companies are registered so just make sure they do not have any complaints unresolved on file. Do your homework and see if you can have camaraderie with the person who you are dealing with. The next step is to review all the paperwork prior to signing anything or paying any fees. You want to review all the paperwork thoroughly so you fully understand what to expect. Tell the company that you will pay the fee after they send you written proof that the property is on the MLS and active. In order to do this you should be willing to sign the listing agreement and return it to the MLS provider because they must have that in their records prior to putting your home active. You will be taking the calls directly from agents with buyers. The MLS Company does not and should not field your calls. Often times they put in the remark section “Do not call the Real Estate Office,” and will show your phone number and name as the direct contact. Just field the calls, assist with setting appointment times, and have the home in great condition for showings to the prospective buyers. The agents will make offers directly to you and the MLS Company typically does not participate in the contracting, negotiating or closing – without an additional FEE/. Written by Edward Cambas, a Lic. Real Estate Broker 786-200-8817 or go to www.edwardcambas.com