When wanting to sell your home in Florida, high agent commission rates may daunt you. This is usually the biggest home-selling expense and that is why some try to avoid such high fees and sell their homes without the assistance of a real estate agent. Instead, they use the services of a flat fee MLS Florida to list their property on the local MLS (multiple listing service).
In this article, we talk about how to list on flat fee MLS Florida and give some handy tips on getting the most out of your flat fee MLS listing.
What is a flat-fee MLS?
A flat fee MLS service offers an alternative to selling a home through a realtor. The MLS is an online resource for agents. They list and share properties with other agents on the MLS, helping their clients sell/buy a home.
There are several local MLS databases throughout the US and if your property is not listed on a local MLS, your home may sit on the market without ever being discovered.
But only real-estate agents can access and list on the local MLS. This means that if you opt for For Sale By Owner websites mode, you won’t get access. This is where flat fee MLS comes in.
For an upfront fee, a flat fee MLS company will list your property on the local database. Examples of such companies include Houzeo, Zillow, Realtor.com & Trulia.
A flat-fee MLS in Florida will list your home for $75-$400 based on the packages you purchase.
How to list on the MLS?
If you are confused about how to list on the MLS here is a quick guide.
Step 1: Identify the best flat fee MLS in Florida
There are many flat fee MLS companies like Houzeo, Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia. Every company offers certain packages and have their own pros and cons. You should evaluate each company and decide what fits your bill.
Step 2: Pick a plan
Most companies provide a DIY plan plus a full-service plan. In the latter, there is a broker at your service in case you need any assistance.
Step 3: Submit the photos and details
Once you have chosen a plan, the flat fee MLS firm will ask for your home’s information. You should submit photos of both the interior and exterior.
Step 4: Sign the listing agreement
You will have to sign agreements and disclosures needed for the listing. If you opt for the full-service plans, the broker will put all the details into the MLS and he/she will be shown as the listing agent.
Actionable tips
While a flat fee MLS company will save you several dollars, it does come with extra responsibilities for you as a seller. Here are a few tips to list successfully on flat-fee MLS Florida:
Take lots of good photos
As per a 2018 study, 93% of home buyers used the internet to hunt for homes and 87% of them found photos to be the most useful feature. So do not underestimate the power of good photographs.
Not only will high-quality pictures get you more interest from potential buyers, they will also sell quicker with more money. Professional photos are always recommended and cost $100-$300 if you hire a good photographer.
Currently, you can post 100 pictures on the MLS.
Don’t tighten your hands for buyer’s agent commission
When listing your house on flat fee MLS Florida, your first thought is obviously to save money. But do not be skimpy on your buyer’s agent commission as it may hurt your sale.
Majority of the listings on the MLS offer 2.5%-3% commission. So your flat-fee listing would be the most competitive if you offer something at par.
Don’t make the mistake of offering a low commission at first and then raising it to get the house to sell fast. Commission changes are not highlighted on the MLS and agents wouldn’t come to know of the update.
Price your home correctly
One of the biggest mistakes sellers makes when listing on flat fee MLS Florida is overpricing the house and not making timely reductions in the price.
If your house is overpriced, no amount of marketing can save the day. All marketing gimmicks will be a waste of time and money.
Therefore price your house based on what other similar houses in your locality for sold for and not at what other houses are listed for.
Also, offer regular price reductions because the most successful sellers know that such features keep their listings fresh.
Showings
It is generally ideal to decide how you will be handling showings before you list on the MLS because flat fee MLS companies want to know if they can include this in the description. If your company offers a showing time service like ShowingTime, take advantage of it.
If you are looking for detailed information about top Flat Fee MLS companies in any other states, you can check them out here:
Connecticut:- Flat Fee MLS Connecticut
North Dakota: Flat Fee MLS North Dakota
South Dakota: Flat Fee MLS South Dakota
Wyoming: Flat Fee MLS Wyoming
Nebraska: Flat Fee MLS Nebraska
New Mexico: Flat Fee MLS New Mexico
