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Alternatives to a flat fee MLS services in Austin, Texas
Not sure you want to use a flat fee MLS service? You still have options. Here are a few:
Option 1: Hire a full-service real estate agent
Full-service real estate agents are experienced in selling homes and handling all the tasks that contribute to a successful sale. That includes things like marketing, pricing, negotiations, fielding calls from potential buyers, and more.
“The question is, do you want your home just sitting on the market as a listing, or do you want to work with an agent who understands what’s happening in the market?” says Heuser. “Because numbers are changing daily. When one home in the neighborhood drops, it affects all the other homes.”
HomeLight can connect you to an experienced, trusted real estate agent in your market. Our free platform scans your local area and finds the top-selling agents that fit your selling situation.
Option 2: Flat fee real estate agents
Rather than taking a commission, flat fee real estate agents agree to help you sell your house for a lump sum. This route can make it easier to budget for a property transaction because you’ll know exactly how much money you’ll be pocketing after the sale. At the same time, flat fee real estate agents don’t have a compelling reason to sell your house for a high price. That means they may not work as hard on negotiations, marketing, pricing, or other tasks that full-service agents prioritize.
Option 3: Discount brokers
Discount real estate brokers still generally operate on commission, but they ask for a lower cut of the final sale price. These discounted brokers usually provide essential services, such as listing your home on the MLS, marketing your home, and handling paperwork. However, they tend to rely on high client volume in order to squeeze the most out of lower-commission jobs. That means you may not always get the attention and one-on-one support you’re looking for. The level of service you receive will depend on the quality of the discount broker.
Option 4: Sell for cash
If you want to expedite the home-selling process, you can also seek a cash offer from a house-buying company, such as an iBuyer or a We Buy Houses investor group. If you sell your home for cash, you likely won’t receive as high of an offer as you would if you listed your home. However, it’s a way to cash in on your home quickly, without having to spend time and energy prepping for a sale.
One easy and convenient way to sell your home fast for cash is to use HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform. This tool allows you to bypass repairs, showings, and commissions, presenting you with a cash offer in as little as a week. You’re under no obligation to accept offers, but if you do, this method makes it possible to close in as few as 7 days.
Will I save money with a flat fee MLS listing service?
While you’ll save money on the listing agent commission fee, you may be losing money in the long run. Not only will you be sacrificing time and work, but you will also be proceeding without the expertise of a professional who could save or earn you money later when negotiating with a potential buyer.
If you add in the cost of your time and the likelihood of a lower sale price, you might not realize the savings you hope to see. HomeLight data shows that homes listed with a top-performing agent sell for up to 10% more than those listed with an average agent.
Of course, your results can vary widely depending on the condition and features of your home, its location, and market conditions in your area.
Heuser cautions FSBO sellers to be realistic, explaining that flat fee MLS companies are often used by homeowners who think the market is still hotter than it is. “You get what you pay for,” he says.
Heuser adds that one complaint he’s heard about some flat fee MLS listing services is that they can be slow to respond to customer queries. “Time is money — buyers will just go to the next option,” he says.
More insights about flat fee MLS services in Austin, Texas
There aren’t specific rules governing the use of flat fee MLS listing services in Austin; however, there are disclosure laws that sellers need to be aware of, covering the state of Texas.
While a real estate attorney isn’t required to help close a sale in the state, FSBO sellers should consider the benefits of hiring a lawyer to assist with closing the sale. Not understanding the legalities of disclosures and contracts could prove to be an expensive mistake if they end up getting sued by the buyer over the transaction.
Here are a few additional insights to consider:
