| Have you ever wondered about how buyers' agents | | | | service. Similarly, because these real estate companies |
| find homes that match the needs of the buyers? Have | | | | recognize that there are may be other marketing |
| you ever wondered how buyers find a home with all | | | | materials that for sale by owner sellers can take |
| of the features - number of bedrooms, bathrooms, | | | | advantage of, companies that offer Flat Fee MLS |
| finished basement - that they are looking for when | | | | listings also offer other services, also for a single flat |
| they search online? The answer to both questions is | | | | fee. These services may include lock boxes, websites, |
| similar: both buyers' agents and individuals searching for | | | | marketing flyers or brochures and the option to include |
| a new home online find what they're looking for using | | | | additional photos or even a virtual tour to the property |
| the Multiple Listing Service - the MLS. In the past, the | | | | listing. Each additional service that these real estate |
| only way to ensure that, when you sold your home, it | | | | companies will com at a flat fee - just as the MLS |
| would be included on the MLS was to use a seller's | | | | listing did. Because of this, home sellers are able to |
| agent who would add your listing. For those who | | | | know what their expenses will be up front. They know |
| wanted to save the commission that would be paid to | | | | that they will pay a flat fee to have an MLS listing, |
| a seller's agent, the compromise meant that they | | | | another flat fee for renting a lock box, another for |
| would need to do a lot more marketing for their home | | | | adding a virtual tour. Home sellers who use a Flat Fee |
| so that buyers and buyers' agents would find the listing. | | | | Listing will also know that they will not be charged for |
| Now, however, that's changed. Since the introduction | | | | services that they do not need. When you sell your |
| of Flat Fee MLS, for sale by owner sellers are also | | | | home with a Flat Fee MLS listing, you can be sure that |
| able to ensure that their homes are able to be found | | | | you are only paying for services that you need to sell |
| by buyers and buyers' agents. Since the introduction of | | | | your home. When you use a Flat Fee MLS listing, you |
| Flat Fee MLS, for sale by owner homes can be listed | | | | can be sure that buyers and their agents will be able |
| on the same multiple listing service that real estate | | | | to find your listing. And, when you use a Flat Fee MLS |
| agents use without having to pay a seller's agent's | | | | listing, you can be sure that you are saving money in |
| commission. Instead, thanks to companies that offer a | | | | the process of selling your home. |
| Flat Fee MLS listing service, home sellers can pay one | | | | Lawrence Bunnell is a Partner and the Principal Broker |
| low flat fee to have their home included in the MLS for | | | | of IHS Realty, an Internet based, real estate brokerage |
| a particular amount of time - typically six months. | | | | company offering consumers online, flat-fee, 'a la carte' |
| Instead, thanks to companies that offer a flat fee MLS | | | | real estate brokerage products and services. |
| listing service, home sellers can ensure that buyers and | | | | Lawrence has been a full-time licensed REALTOR(R) |
| buyers' agents are able to know the features of a | | | | since 1984 and is currently a licensed real estate |
| home on the market, as well as the asking price for | | | | broker in Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Georgia, |
| the home. In other words, Flat Fee MLS is a service | | | | South Carolina and Pennsylvania. In addition to his role |
| provided by a number of real estate companies that | | | | as the firm's Prinicipal Real Estate Broker, his duties |
| allows home sellers - in particular those home sellers | | | | include serving as the head of web application design |
| who do not wish to use sellers' agents - to pay upfront | | | | and development and Internet marketing initiatives for |
| to have their homes included in the multiple listing | | | | IHS. |