PROBLEM: "My FSBO listing needs max online exposure. It needs to be in the local MLS!"
BUT only licensed, member real estate agents can advertise real estate listings in the local MLS in Tennessee!
If you are not a licensed agent, NO MLS will allow you to input listings into their system.
For Sale By Owner listings are strictly prohibited.
Do you know how For Sale By Owner websites operate?
Let me give you a quick insight into their general practices…
First: a home seller (like you) searches online for FSBO sites to list their homes on.
Second: Seller is required to enter thier credit card information, to buy a listing spot on the online portal.
Starting to sound familiar?
Third: An agent goes online, looking to generate sales leads and where do you think they end up…you guessed it!
They sign up on the website that is hosting the FSBO listings, only now, the site is pushing the listings and the seller’s information as part of a lead generation program, targeted for real estate agents…which I can say, is ridiculously expense!
Oh but wait...it gets better!
Did I mention, the seller's info is sold to "multiple" agents as a sales lead?
FINALLY: The seller begins receiving call after call, from multiple agents, wanting to “help them” sell their home!
They never call at a convenient time either!
W hy pay to list your property on these websites, only to have your information sold to area agents, as part of a lead generation program? Some FSBO websites claim to list your property in the local MLS. Fact is, they can’t unless they are licensed and join the MLS association! Given the fact that most of these FSBO site companies are located in the California region, I feel it’s unlikely they are members of our local MLS here in the Smokies! But never fear, they engineered a work-a-round for that!
They solicit the information out (yet another program ) to licensed agent members of the local MLS who, in exchange for a stiff referral fee % to the “FSBO site company” might list your home in their MLS. Not saying they all operate this way, only the vast majority.
The winner in this is the website owners! They make $$$ three ways from one listing!
I ‘ve spent countless hours online, researching the For Sale by Owner websites, reading their terms and conditions and all the fine print that most consumers never click on. They are all much the same. I do have first hand knowledge from an agent perspective of their operation. I too bought into the programs years ago as a young agent. I remember the people on the other end of the phone telling me I was the — # to call them in 30 minutes! How humiliating!
That’s why I made the decision to find a way for East Tennessee sellers to get their listings into our local MLS associations. I started the Flat Fee MLS Listing Service as part of Bryan Realty of East Tennessee. As a Broker, I can put the listings into the MLS but I felt sellers need more than just to have it put into the MLS. They need a property website to share with friends and family and their social media circles. They need professional flyers for prospective buyers. They need a yard sign with their contact information on it and that’s how I built my Flat Fee MLS listing package.
Flat Fee Package Includes:
6 Month Listing
2 MLS Submission (Greater Smoky Mtn. Association of Realtors MLS & Knoxville Association of Realtors MLS)
Max Photos Allowed by MLS
Listing Syndication to other websites via MLS feed
1 Yard Sign
1 Directional Sign
Free Support
Free Price Changes
1 Photo Change
100 Property Flyers
1 Flyer Box for Yard Sign
1 Single Property Website for Seller to share
1 eBlast to Neighboring Agents in Tri-State Area
Contract Representation $450 additional charge
Buyer pre-qualification due diligence
Negotiation of all offers
Contracts, Disclosures, & Addenda Reviewed
Appraisal, Pest & Inspection coordination
Title coordination, HUD & Closing Documents review
Additional Yard Signs – $50 each
Video Tour – $450 per property
Lockbox – $75
Replacement Flyers – $50 per 100