You’ve made up your mind.
You
want to sell your home “by owner” but you want to be in MLS, FMLS, and
Realtor.com
Here’s a way to do it, for a flat
fee.
Bob
Wood Realty is excited to offer this program, there are just a few loopholes and
laws we should explain to you first.
The
only problems are that real estate brokerage offices must abide by certain laws
and the MLS systems only allow “Exclusive Right To Sell” Listing Agreements and
not “Open Listings” (meaning it is a true “By Owner”). We are a high integrity
company and have been family owned since 1973. We want to remain that way. We have been extremely careful in
designing this as to not violate any laws and to preserve our reputation in the
community. We have contacted the
local MLS’s and their viewpoint is that an Exclusive Right to Sell with Open
Listing, does not violate their policies… As of yet…
In
addition to the Exclusive Right to Sell problem, there is a law that all real
estate brokerage offices and agents have to abide by called BRETTA. The laws prohibit “buyers agents” from
negotiating with “represented sellers” directly. Some flat fee companies will refuse to
offer you representation, leaving you in a difficult situation under the
law. First off, let us
explain. We are typically not a
“flat-fee” company, nor do we want to be considered so. We are merely offering this option so
that you can try it and still “stay legal” if another broker sells your home;
and, if you don’t like it, you aren’t bound to limited or no representation, you
can upgrade to full-service to get the professional advice and marketing you
need to sell your home. If you
choose to upgrade to full service, we will even refund your $499 flat fee at
closing. Most people don’t realize
what real estate agents really do until they enter the profession. This is a great way for you to try
and sell your home For Sale By Owner and get listed in the MLS, FMLS, and
Realtor.Com services (you will have two listings on Realtor.com too!), because
that’s all real estate agent’s do anyways.
Right!?! If it works,
GREAT! If not, you have an
alternative that won’t require you to change agents or companies, resulting in
lost momentum.
Getting
back to “keeping it legal” and BRETTA.
We do not want to encourage real estate companies or agents that are
representing buyers to break this law.
We have been bombarded with agents calling us saying that they have
called an agent on a listing and they say that they “don’t represent the seller,
call them directly.” While this
might sound good, it can easily result in breaking the law. It also encourages
agents not to show these properties because they have to do the listing side of
the work and the selling side of the work for one fee. By having our $1499 representation and
negotiation fee that only comes into the picture once and only if your home
sells. we are available to still offer representation, negotiation, and maintain
a high reputation so agent’s will not shy away from our listings. This program also allows you to sell
your home yourself and pay NO selling commission and have a Realtor at your
disposal to draft all the paperwork.
The following page will outline what all is and is not included with this
$499 fee. You will also get your
$499 refunded to you if you purchase a home through your listing agent. That means you can list FREE and by
FREE! And remember, you can upgrade at anytime if it’s not working out, an
option you won’t get elsewhere.
Sincerely,
Bobby
Wood
Bob
Wood Realty
