What Is A Flat FEE MLS Listing Service?

Flat fee MLS, is an online listing service, allowing a home owner who is getting ready to sell their home, the opportunity to get it sold, and save thousands of dollars in realtor fees.

What Flat Fee MLS provides -
A flat fee MLS service provider, places the seller's home on an online market, and helps the owners sell their home quickly. A multiple listing service (MLS), is an online site where realtors place homes they are selling for clients; as a home owner, using the flat fee sites, you can skip the middleman, and have the online directory, place your home on the market.

What services are included? -
This depends on your market, and the flat fee company that you choose to list your property through. All companies will list your home, on their online directory, along with other homes in the area the home is being sold in. Additional services, which some listing companies provide include:
- Yard signs, which include the seller's phone number.
- Supra Lockbox on the property
- Negotiation of offers (if desired)
Although not all flat fee MLS companies offer these services, House Connect does. Depending on the price you pay for listing your home on their site, some or all of these services, may be included in the flat rate.

Advantages of using these MLS sites -
One of the biggest advantages of using these listing services, is that your home is going to be placed on the same exact directory and online site, as homes which are being sold by a traditional realtor. If you want your home to sell, it has to be listed on an MLS site; therefore, listing with a top flat fee company, is something the home owners should do, if they want more exposure, and want their home to get sold, in less time.

Another benefit is the fact that you truly save on the cost of listing. Most realtors charge 6% (or higher), for the sale; on a $400,000 home, you are basically losing out $24,000 in fees you pay a realtor. Commissions of 3% and higher are generally charged on top of this listing fee; that means, an additional $12,000 is going to the realtor. Also, other fees and costs might also be required, prior to a real estate agency listing and selling your home. Using a flat fee MLS, you avoid these huge costs, and you simply pay a flat fee, to have your home listed on a major online database, allowing prospective buyers to see the home.

With a flat fee MLS service, you are going to cut out a great deal of expenses, which are associated with selling a home. By cutting out the middleman, you keep more of the profits, when your home is sold. And, for a flat fee, all the listing work is done for you, meaning you do not have to worry about going out there and marketing the home, through several other sources online and locally.

Get Your Atlanta Home Ready For A Winter Listing

     Metro-Atlanta was hit hard this week from the national Polar Vortex sweeping most of the United States, reaching record lows and leaving many Atlantans feeling unprepared for winter. We thought it was only fitting to post about how to keep your Atlanta real estate listing optimally winterized and eco-friendly, both of which we predict will be trending for homebuyers in 2014.

Insulate: Extra insulation is the best way to winterize your home. There is a section in your MLS listing where you can list energy features your property possesses. If you want to optimize your listing for the winter months it may be time to add extra insulation to nudge you ahead of the competition. Eco-friendly options such as cellulose & spray foam, in place of traditional insulation, give your listing an extra-green boost.

Have your furnace serviced: Letting sellers know that the furnace has recently been serviced & is in good condition is a great way for your Atlanta listing to stand out from the others. Another eco-friendly tip -- think about installing a permanent furnace filter which cuts down on waste & helps inhabitants breathe cleaner air.

Upgrade to a programmable thermostat. It can save you money without sacrificing comfort, AND you can list it as an energy feature on your Atlanta MLS listing.

Install weather stripping: Sealing gaps around windows & doors is an easy way to make your home feel warmer & save you money on your energy bills.

Another quick fix: Foam insulation gaskets for outlets & switches. They prevent air leakage, and you can get multipacks at most major hardware stores for $5 -$10.

Use evergreens or shrubs on your property line to create a natural windbreaker. That’s about a “green” as you can get, and it could save you up to 30% in energy costs.

Little items that go a long way: If you can’t spend the time or resources for major upgrades, make minor ones and market the heck out of them. Replacing the air filters & all exterior lights is an easy way to let buyers know that your Metro-Atlanta real estate is well-maintained. Then place neatly printed notes on all energy efficient features so potential buyers are aware during showings. Finally, be sure to list these feature in your Atlanta MLS listing. It will guarantee your house stands out among the competition as environmentally friendly and winter ready.

Happy selling Atlanta! We hope these tips help you have a speedy & successful home-selling process this winter. Please call us today at 770-640-6800 or visit us online to learn more about our $499* flat-fee listing & how you can save thousands versus using a traditional real estate company.

From our House to Yours

We also offer plenty of Atlanta real estate tips online! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, & Pinterest as well. We’re constantly posting Atlanta market tips, real estate trends, and home selling pointers to keep you ahead of the competition. Not to mention the money you’ll save in commission prices!

Please feel free to post comments, send emails, visit our social media pages and the House Connect website, or call us directly at 770-640-6800 for more info. We have dedicated, knowledgeable professionals waiting to assist you with selling your home without the pricey commissions.

House Connect is an Atlanta flat fee MLS listing company offering an alternative to the high cost of selling your home. We offer a discount realty service which saves Atlanta home sellers thousands of dollars versus using the traditional real estate brokerage.

* * A transaction fee of .0015 x the sales price will be paid at closing.

FAQ Series: How Does House Connect Profit From A $499 Flat Fee Listing?

     Since launching our discount realty company last year, our listing agents have run into a few common questions that home sellers have about our Flat fee MLS Atlanta listing service. House Connect Company President/Owner Mike Prewett has decided to take a minute to answer each question personally, via Google Hangout, so that Atlanta home sellers can better understand what a $499 Flat Fee MLS Listing can do for YOU!

How Does House Connect Make A Profit?

Check Out House Connect Online: 

We also offer plenty of real estate tips online! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, & Pinterest as well as subscribing to this blog. We’re always sharing our market-insider tips on current trends, home renovations, and mortgage information to keep you ahead of the competition. Not to mention the money you’ll save in commission prices!

Please feel free to post comments, send emails, visit our social media pages and the House Connect website, or call us directly at 770-640-6800 for more info. We have dedicated, knowledgeable professionals waiting to assist you with selling your home without the pricey commissions.

**House Connect is an Atlanta real estate company offering an alternative to the high cost of selling your home. We offer a flat fee MLS listing service which can save thousands of dollars versus using the traditional real estate brokerage.

Qualified Mortgage & Ability to Repay in 2014: A Seller's Perspective

Next year a new set of mortgage rules amended to the Truth In Lending Act by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will go into effect, no doubt changing the home buying process. Here is a quick refresher course so that as a seller, you can know what to expect in your future real estate transactions.

Overview:

Home buyers often struggle to understand the type of monthly payment they can afford. If approved for a mortgage bigger than their wallets, results are likely to be delinquency & foreclosure, exemplary in the years leading up to the financial crisis. The Truth In Lending Act was established to hold banks accountable for the size of loans they approve & the documentation needed to support lending.

New Rules:

On January 10, 2014 an amendment to Regulation Z will go into effect requiring lenders to look at a consumer’s financial information and be sure the consumer has the ability to repay that loan. This rule creates a category of more stable loans called Qualified Mortgages and reduces the risk of reckless lender tactics such as “teaser” rates, negative amortization & loan terms longer than 30 years.

How this will affect Home Sellers:

In the past five years since the financial crisis, real estate agents have changed how they qualify buyers drastically. Many agents now require proof of funds or a pre-qualification letter from a lender before they will even meet a prospective buyer to show the property. Expect more of the same with the new rules meaning fewer showings, inquiries & offers for your real estate.

The Good News:

Loans often fall through in the home selling process after the property has gone into Under Contract status, cutting off potential buyers who may be more qualified to purchase your “Active” property. Also, this new rule lessens the chance that you will be tied up with tedious paperwork from buyers who are not financially able to close your real estate transaction.

 So while it may seem like you're not getting as much traffic as you have in a previous transaction, it is important to be aware of the changing mortgage laws and adjust your expectations accordingly. Remember: “It’s Quality Not Quantity.”

We also offer plenty of real estate tips online! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, & Pinterest as well as subscribing to this blog. We’re always sharing our market-insider tips on DIY renovations, home staging tips, and Atlanta market trends to keep you ahead of the competition. Not to mention the money you’ll save in commission prices!

Please feel free to post comments, send emails, visit our social media pages and the House Connect website, or call us directly at 770-640-6800 for more info. We have dedicated, knowledgeable professionals waiting to assist you with listing your Atlanta real estate without the pricey commissions.

**House Connect is a Metro Atlanta flat fee MLS listing agency offering an alternative to the high cost of selling your home. We offer a discount realty service which saves Atlanta home owners thousands of dollars versus using the traditional real estate company.

Simple Steps to Selling Your Atlanta Real Estate

Selling your Atlanta real estate can be a quite complex. House Connect has simplified that process for you while also saving you thousands of dollars! In fact, here’s a simple infographic of how simple selling your home with our simple flat fee Atlanta MLS listing service can be!

We also offer plenty of real estate tips online! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, & Pinterest as well as subscribing to this blog. We’re always sharing our market-insider tips on DIY renovations, home staging tips, and Atlanta market trends to keep you ahead of the competition. Not to mention the money you’ll save in commission prices!

Please feel free to post comments, send emails, visit our social media pages and the House Connect website, or call us directly at 770-640-6800 for more info. We have dedicated, knowledgeable professionals waiting to assist you with listing your Atlanta property without the pricey commissions.

**House Connect is an flat fee Atlanta MLS listing company offering an alternative to the high cost of selling your home. We offer a discount realty service which saves Metro-Atlanta home sellers thousands of dollars versus using the traditional real estate agent.

Things You Learn When Selling Your Home

Whether you are going the For Sale By Owner route or using one of the best real estate agents ever (ours hint, hint), selling a house can be both exciting AND stressful. In hopes of helping you get through the listing process as painlessly as possible, I’ve put together a few truths that are inevitable when selling.

1)     You will need to declutter. You want to highlight as much space as possible, and you want the buyer to picture the home as their own. That means clearing out any extra items to show that great open floor plan, and taking down all of those family portraits & art projects that make the home yours. Note: You may want to pay to store your things elsewhere. You DON’T want to turn your closets & garage into a messy area that’s off limits during showings.

2)     You will need to paint. That bold color scheme that matches your furnishings perfectly may not be what the buyer has envisioned. The best way to present a house for sale is with a neutral color pallet. Even if neutrals are already in use, once you declutter there will be holes that need repairing and repainting. A new coat throughout will freshen up the entire house, making it look clean and airy.

3)     Some cleaning projects are going to be tedious. Once you decide to sell you start looking at your home objectively. That’s a good thing. The problem is that you then start noticing “quirks” you overlooked before, i.e., stains & fixer-upper items that you could live with (and did). Now those things need to be fixed, and will probably take longer than you expect.

4)     In fact, everything will take longer. It’ll take longer to clean, paint, and especially move. You’ve acquired more stuff than you even know. Go ahead and mentally prepare for these projects and allow time for any unexpected snags.

Finally, just remember: once you’re done, you’re not done. It takes time to sell a home, and you’ll need to show it multiple times, but if you prepare for the move with the tips above, maintaining the property will be less stressful and you’ll be show-ready & able to maximize your showing potential at all times.

 Happy Selling!

We also offer plenty of real estate tips online! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, & Pinterest as well as subscribing to this blog. We’re always sharing our market-insider tips on home staging, DIY home renovations, and market trends to keep you ahead of the competition. Not to mention the money you’ll save in commission prices!

Please feel free to post comments, send emails, visit our social media pages and the House Connect website, or call us directly at 678-256-2753 for more info. We have dedicated, knowledgeable professionals waiting to assist you with selling your home without the pricey commissions.

**House Connect is a Roswell discount real estate broker offering an alternative to the high cost of selling your home. We offer Atlanta residents a flat fee MLS listing service which saves thousands of dollars versus using the traditional real estate consultant.

New Year Resolutions for Home Sellers

2013 is going to be a GREAT year to sell your home. Statistics are already showing that the market is rising, buyers are out and looking, and the busy holiday season is behind us. The only hitch is that this is going to be a great year for your competitors as well. Here's a list of New Year Resolutions to keep you ahead of the game so that you can sell your home quickly.

First resolve to improve your "curb appeal." First impressions mean everything. If a buyer is turned off when he/she see the outside of the house, there's little you can do with the inside to change that negative opinion. Make sure to rake leaves or shovel snow and ice. Just because the holidays are over doesn't mean you can't decorate outside; there are many tasteful wreaths that aren't just for the Christmas season. Also, highlight your outside features. If you have a deck or patio, still keep the furniture out and add some throws & a heat lamp.

Next, organize and clean inside! This is an inexpensive way to help sell your home quickly. Think about applying a fresh coat of interior paint. Not only will this improve the way the inside of the house looks, it also is a cheap way to improve the value of your house.

If you can afford to do so, reinvent a room. A house addition can be costly and time consuming, but turning an attic into a bonus room or finishing a basement could do wonders with the space you already have.

Fix poor plumbing fixtures. Poor plumbing can be a major red flag for buyers & possibly indicative of the condition of the entire house. Fixing plumbing issues before the house is shown will help insure you sell quickly and that your home appraisal comes back in good condition.

Determine how to make your house more energy efficient. Energy efficient features such as windows and light bulbs are a hot commodity with home buyers right now. Buyers are aware that these features will lower the home energy costs exceedingly. This will also make the house seem more modern and socially conscious.

Lastly, price your house appropriately. It is important to know what comparable homes are selling for. One of the many benefits of listing with House Connect is that we will provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to help you determine the right price for your home and list your house for a low flat fee of $499. Not having to pay a listing broker commission gives you more wiggle room in your sales price...listing below your competition can help sell your home faster.

Please feel free to post comments, send emails, visit our Facebook & Twitter pages and company website, or call us directly at 770.640.6800. We have dedicated, knowledgeable professionals waiting to assist you with selling your home without the pricey commissions.

Tips For Listing During the Holidays

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season quickly approaching, many home sellers may have become discouraged about listing their homes, but when done correctly, listing during the holidays can be an advantage to the savvy seller. Here are a few tips to help those who brave selling during December.

First, know the pros & cons of selling during the Holidays. 'Tis the season for lots of shopping and traveling, so you may have fewer showings...don't get discouraged. Keep in mind that the buyers you DO have will be serious. Someone taking the time to view your home amidst colder temperatures and bustling holiday affairs are interested in buying quickly. Remember: it's quality not quantity that is most important.

Secondly, make plans with your House Connect agent about your availability. If you're having guests, going on vacation, or planning a holiday party that may affect the times your home can be shown, let your agent know in advance so that they can plan showings accordingly.

Next, decorations -- The biggest debate about showing during the holidays is whether or not to decorate your home, but if done tastefully, this could be a selling advantage. Decorations can make the house look homey. Buyers will picture celebrating their future holiday traditions there. The key is to remember that the best theme is neutral. Religious decorations are fine if done conservatively, but too much of any type of decoration will distract from the house itself. Some lights on outdoor bushes, a wreath on the door, and a Christmas tree inside will add to the house for most buyers.

Lastly, remember to consider an appropriate selling price. One of the benefits of listing with House Connect is that we will do a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)of your property to help you determine the right selling point. Most importantly, since House Connect is a FLAT FEE LISTING service, you don't have to factor in paying the pricey commissions that a traditional real estate company charges. This means you have the ability to list your home at a more competitive rate.

The holiday season may at times be chaotic, but it's a joyous time as well. Following these simple tips will help you enjoy this festive time, and possibly have a much merrier New Year.

Please feel free to post comments, send emails, visit our Facebook & Twitter pages and the House Connect website, or call us directly at 770.640.6800. We have dedicated, knowledgeable professionals waiting to assist you with selling your home without the pricey commission.

Steps YOU Can Take When Selling

Selling your home can be a complex process no matter how experienced you are at it. One of the most important factors to consider is the price point at which you'd like to list your house. With a traditional real estate company you need to factor in the commission the selling agent will receive, but with House Connect - a flat fee listing company, you have more flexibility to offer your house at a competitive rate. This is one advantage to marketing your home that allows you to focus on other, small steps you can take to sell your home more quickly.

•         First, make sure the property is clean. A clean home gives a good first impression of both the home AND the seller. Small maintenance work that’s needed will not look as crucial if you give the impression that the property has been taken care of. This includes the yard or your "curb appeal"; something as simple as raking and mowing will entice a buyer to come see the interior, and we all know how important first impressions are.
•         Next, use your clean space well. Getting rid of clutter will keep the buyer from being distracted. Also, the less you have, the bigger the house looks AND the less for you to move.
•          Take high quality photos that highlight the house. Research picture taking tips online & capture the best parts of the house; no one knows the best areas of your home like you. Maybe there’s a view you love from your patio; be sure to think outside the box. Having pictures that show room size, large closets, a stunning staircase, or other features of your home will put you ahead of the competition.
•         Repair what you can. Don’t spend too much money upgrading a house you’re trying to get rid of, but some DIY handy-work will increase the value of the house exponentially more than the cost to do it. Also, this will increase the attractiveness of the property, drawing in more buyers.
•         Lastly, finishing touches. Simple tricks can go a long way when trying to sell your home. Make yourself scarce so the buyers can feel comfortable looking around the house, make sure the house has an inviting feel; simply opening the blinds and curtains goes a long way. Make it smell GOOD – an old realtor's trick is 2 caps of vanilla extract in an oven safe coffee cup at 300 degrees for one hour.

Remember, an agent’s best tool is the information YOU provide. Listing features of your home, labeling overlooked amenities (garbage disposal & dimming switches, washer/dryer hookups, etc.), and following these simple steps can help you reach your house selling goal faster. Being a savvy seller & listing for less with House Connect will save you time & money, putting you ahead of the curve. List. Sell. Save.

Please feel free to post comments, send emails, visit our Facebook & Twitter pages and the House Connect website, or call us directly at 770.640.6800. We have dedicated, knowledgeable professionals waiting to assist you with selling your home without the pricey commissions.

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FLAT FEE LISTING WITH HOUSE CONNECT

Why pay THOUSANDS of dollars in commissions to sell your home? -- List for just $499* with HOUSE CONNECT.

The key to listing is exposure.

We'll insure that your listing is placed in both FMLS (First Multiple Listing Service) & GA MLS (Georgia Multiple Listing Service) as well as 50+ other real estate related websites including our own.

AND THAT'S JUST THE BEGINNING!

List with HOUSE CONNECT. It's quick, easy, & saves you THOUSANDS in commission!!!

What Else We Provide:

• Complete CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) for the property.
• Assist the seller in determining the list price.
• Add Seller provided pictures to the listing in both services.
• Provide a House Connect yard sign and Supra lockbox.
• Assist in completing all necessary forms, negotiating all offers received, and all activities related to closing the transaction.
• Unlimited changes to listing.
• Show the property to any interested party not represented by a real estate agent.
• Create an account for the seller on the House Connect website that gives him/her access to all necessary forms and information.

Also, be sure to follow us on facebook & twitter and subscribe to this blog. We will post useful tips for selling your house including pointers on staging & taking the best pictures, and DIY renovations to improve the value of your home, just to name a couple.

*An FMLS fee of .0012% will be charged at closing (ex: $100,000 sale price = $120).