MLS – or multiple listing services – are a set of tools that you’ll need if you want to sell your home at a good price, but that doesn’t mean that there’s a single flat fee MLS that’s right for every homeowner looking to sell. That said, there are a few specific characteristics that you should look for, and there are some MLS’ that excel in those key categories better than others.
What Is A Flat Fee MLS?
When you sign up for a flat fee MLS, you’re simply paying to have your home listed on a set of directories. These directories are one of the most effective ways for agents to scout homes and potential buyers to see them, and that means that they can dramatically expand the scope of your real estate marketing. The bottom line is this: If you aren’t selling a home to someone you know personally, using an MLS is necessary. And if you don’t want to pay a 3% commission to a realtor, a flat fee listing service offers the most accessible pathway to do it yourself. But what traits separate the best MLS from the merely average?
Flat And Reasonable Rates
The logic of paying an agent a commission is that they’re incentivized to get the best return on your home. There’s some sense of reason to that, but an MLS runs on a different philosophy entirely – that the amount they’re paid should be proportional to the services they provide. Look for a service that offers at least six months of listings and seek out a flat rate that’s appropriate for your home. Additionally, look for realtors like AZ Flat Fee that provide a flat rate for the MLS listing, along with full service for marketing, negotiations, and closing coordination.
Scalable And Transparent Pricing
Not every seller has the same needs, and not every service will be the price being charged for it. That means that you shouldn’t always be chasing down the most expensive service just because they come with a bunch of perks you’d never use. Figure out the features and services you need, and use it as a blueprint for comparing different services. Many MLS services offer different price tiers. HomeLister – for instance – provides versatile listings, a yard sign, tools for hosting virtual tools, and a scheduling management tool for no initial listing cost and a flat rate of $699. But they also offer two more premium plans that offer a deeper bench of marketing tools and services.
Good Coverage For Listing Services
Multiple listing systems are local, and not every service you find will offer equal coverage in different housing markets. Finding out whether or not a company can cover your needs should be your first consideration. Still, you also need to consider what sort of coverage they offer for international online listing platforms. Most MLS services will list your home on Redfin, Trulia, and Zillow, but keep your eye out for more thorough services that extend that reach to platforms like Homes.com and Remax.
The Right Level Of Guidance
If you’ve been professionally flipping houses for years, your needs are going to be different than for someone who’s looking to sell their first home. Many MLS services offer a thick bench of resources that you can use to guide you through the process. If it’s your first time, but you plan on making real estate a long-term investment, a service like HomeLister can double as a crash course in the ins and outs of real estate. They offer professional advice in various fields and a la carte services when your ambitions outweigh your means. Their transparency and wealth of focused services make them the best flat fee MLS around today.
