A traditional real estate company wants you to sign a contract that pays them a commission of up to 6% of your homes selling price. In return they agree to place your home in the MLS, hold open houses, schedule showings and help with the contract negotiation process. The Listing agent usually splits (Co-Ops) the commission 50/50 with the Buyer's agent.

Listing with a traditional real estate company rarely helps you sell your home any faster. Did you know that less then 5% of all listings are actually sold by the Listing agent. It's a combination of proper pricing and sufficient exposure that will sell your home. The MLS provides the necessary exposure to sell your home quickly and for the most money.

With our Flat Rate MLS Listing program and guidance, the FSBO seller can cut their total commission in half by doing most of the work traditionally done by the Listing agent. All the seller pays is the Buyer's agent portion of the commission at closing (typically 2%-3%). The seller may also advertise the property themselves, and if a buyer is procured by those efforts, NO commission is paid if the buyer has no broker representing him as well

Not only will your property be listed on the MLS, but it will also appear on websites linked to the MLS database such as Realtor.com, Homeadvisor.com, and other local MLS partner real estate company sites.Illinois Listings include: ChicagoTribune.com (over a $100 value), Mlsni.com, 

This Flat Rate MLS Listing program works for FSBOs! If you want to save thousands in commissions, you are willing to negotiate directly with a buyer or buyer's agent, and have the time to schedule your own showing appointments then - this service is right for you. Sign up today and let the MLS bring qualified buyers directly to you.

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02. What will I receive for a Flat Fee of $499?

1. A listing on the Multiple Listing Service (the "MLS") for as long as you like. Your listing will be posted to the MLS within 48 business hours of contract acceptance. You can cancel at any time.
2. Free web exposure. Within 2-5 days hours of being listed on the MLS, your property will appear on several popular real estate web sites such as Realtor.com, Homeadvisor.com, Yahoo real estate , Chicagotribune.com (IL). Listing on all public MLS affiliated sites is subject to local MLS limitations and on a best effort basis.
3. If you send us a photo of your house our affiliates will include it in the listing, else for an additional $40 charge a color photo will be taken of the exterior of your property and included with your listing.
4. A Sales Preparation package that includes - required disclosure forms (available online)
5. Free Changes to your listing and Open House notifications during the listing period (Illinois). Other MLS Listings subject to local Realtor policies.
6. Contact us anytime with your questions.

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03. What is the difference between a traditional full service broker and your Flat Fee MLS Listing service?

A full service broker will help you determine a selling price, list your home on the MLS, schedule showing appointments and negotiate the sales contract on your behalf. For these services you pay a hefty listing fee of 2.5%-3% of the selling price (this is in addition to the 2.5%-3% you will be required to pay the Buyer's Agent). That's a total of 5%-6% in commissions! We offer you a way to list your property on the same MLS for a flat listing fee of only $499. In exchange, you assume most of the duties traditionally performed by the Listing Agent. You pay only the Buyers Agent portion of the commission at closing. If you find the buyer yourself, you pay NO commission. If you need additional help our agents are always there to help you for an extra hourly fee of $150/Hr or even 3.5% full service package.

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04. What is the MLS and who owns it?

In most areas, the MLS is a corporation owned/controlled by the local association of Realtors. To input listings, you must be a licensed member of the local association of Realtors (we and/or our local affiliates hold this membership in most areas). MLS Members cooperate by showing and selling the homes listed by other members, for which they receive a
commission for bringing the buyer to the seller. The commission amount offered to the agent who brings the buyer is almost always listed (usually required by the MLS) along with the detailed information about the home and picture(s).

The MLS is the primary tool agents use to find a property when they have a buyer. Over 80% of buyers use agents to help them find properties (especially the most motivated buyers: relocations, pre-approved, etc.). For most agents, the MLS is the tool used every day to find a home for their buyers (for many agents, it is the only tool they use to find homes.) The MLS is not available to the public, only MLS Members can view the MLS listings. In recent years, most MLS systems have distributed some listing information to websites like Realtor.com and allowed MLS members to show some listing information on their own websites.

Our service enables you to get the best of both worlds: get MLS exposure to buyers and pay a commission only if you accept an offer from a buyer involved with an agent. Our average customer walks away from closing with a check that is $8,000 or higher than using a traditional agent.

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05. What is the "Buyers Agent" commission and how much should I offer?

The Buyer's Agent commission is the amount you are willing to pay a real estate agent that brings you a qualified buyer. This amount is determined by you at the time of the listing and is paid to the Buyer's Agent at closing. This amount should be competitive with other listings in your area if you want to take full advantage of the MLS. These commissions typically range from 2.5% - 3.5% of the selling price.

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06. Can I list on MLS with no commission for buyer broker?

All MLS listing programs require the offering of a commission if a real estate licensee finds you a buyer. If you find a buyer without a real estate licensee, you will owe no commission. The amount of commission is determined buy you the seller. Typical commissions for buyers brokers range between 2.5%-3% of the selling price.

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07. Can I still sell my home "by owner" while it is listed on the MLS?

Yes. We do not take away your right to sell the property yourself. If you find a buyer on your own, you pay absolutely NO commission (because the buyer comes directly without a broker). Please review you final listing agreement for any limitations.

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08. Is this the same MLS other real estate agents throughout the country use?

Absolutely. Each area in the country has a specific MLS that they use in the area. For example, in the greater Chicago area, The Multiple Listing Service of Nothern Illinois (the "MLS") is the largest and most widely used database in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. So if your property is in the greater Chicago area, this is where we would list your home. Your local Flat Fee Listing Realtor can provide you with more details of coverage in your area.

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09. Will the MLS really help me sell my home?

Definitely. To sell your home you have to let people know it's on the market. The MLS gives you exposure to the hundreds of thousands real estate agents nationwide and the buyers they represent. The fact is over 80% of buyers use a real estate agent when looking for a home, real estate agents use the MLS. It's that simple.

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10. Will my home get exposure on the Internet?

Yes. Your home will appear on several popular real estate web sites linked directly to the MLS free of charge. These sites include realtor.com, mlsni.com, homeadvisor.com and other local newspaper  websites like chicagotribune.com (over $100 value) subject to availability. 

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11. Will my listing look the same as other listings?

Absolutely. The format is standard for all listings.

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12. What if I have a question during the listing period or want to change some information in the listing?

Please contact your listing broker directly with any questions as they will be familiar with your listing.  If you want to change some information in your listing (i.e. price, description, etc.) simply send your listing broker any changes via email (or fax) with your MLS# and they will make the change typically within 24 hours.

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13. Should I hire an attorney to review my sale contract, handle my closing, and advise me of any laws and/or regulations with which I need to comply in showing and selling my home?

Yes. Please remember that neither we or your Local Flat Fee Realtor is an attorney. None of us can offer legal advice. We recommend that you hire an attorney earlier in the home selling process rather than later or not at all. Since most people hire an attorney to review their sale contract and handle their closing, it makes sense to seek legal advice right from the start. Because most attorneys charge a flat fee for home sale contract review and closing related work, this should not require any extra legal fees.
Also remember that our agents are happy to assist you with additional questions  and negotiations etc r as required as required by law for an extra fee.

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14. Why not just advertise my home "For Sale by Owner" in the newspaper, and forget the MLS listing?

Most people responding to newspaper ads are not yet really serious about buying a home. They are still in the dreaming or just kicking the tires stage of home buying. Once a buyer gets serious, over 80% of the time he or she will hire a realtor, and that realtor will show the buyer homes that are listed on the MLS.

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15. May I still advertise my home for sale in the newspaper and other advertising venues in addition to having SaveOnMLS affiliated Realtors list my home for sale on the MLS?

Yes. However, if you want listing agents to stop calling you in an attempt to get your listing, any such ad should include your broker's name.

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16. Why do realtors use the MLS instead of other databases--for example the many internet sites that list homes for sale?

Each home listed on the MLS must include in the listing the compensation amount the buyer is offering to any realtor who produces the buyer. By using the MLS, realtors therefore are able to know upfront not only which buyers will compensate them, but how much they will compensate them in the case of a sale.

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17. Who determines the amount of compensation that will be paid to a buyer's realtor, if the buyer who purchases my home is represented by a realtor?

The compensation to be paid to the buyer's realtor, if the buyer is represented, is determined by you, the seller, and offered by our affiliates on your behalf in the MLS listing.

If you hired a traditional realtor, as opposed to one from our service, that realtor's exclusive listing contract with you might, for example, obligate you to pay him or her a commission of 5% to 7%* of the sale price of your home. The traditional realtor would then offer a buyer's realtor a portion of that commission, on your behalf, in the realtor MLS listing. A recent search of the MLS indicated that most sellers offer between 2.5% to 3% of the sale price to buyers' realtors.

* Because realtor commissions are determined independently, these commission percentages are just estimates offered to help you calculate your savings.

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18. Who pays the buyer's realtor?

You do, at closing.

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19. What kind of agreement do I sign with your affiliate Realtor?

Your agreement with your local realtor is typically non-exclusive. This means that not only may you terminate your listing at any time, but you may also work with other realtors if such realtors do not require an exclusive listing. Please see the listing agreement provided by your local realtor for details. It is our policy not to solicit clients who are already represented by another realtor.

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20. What if I want to change my asking price or any other listing information during the listing period?

You simply need to communicate your change requests to your local listing realtor via fax or email, please be sure to include your MLS Listing number. Price Changes: Most Realtors require that all Price Changes be made in writing and be faxed/mailed to them for your protection. Please Fax Requests to your local realtor. MLS Listing customers in Illinois may fax changes to FAX: 630.214.8160 or change@saveonmls.com.

SaveOnMLS affiliated Realtors makes all such listing changes free of charge. You are required to inform your listing broker within 24 hours of certain events (e.g. the asking price has changed, a contract for sale is pending, or a closing has been executed). Please see your listing agreement provided by your local realtor for details.

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21. If I want to hold an open house for buyers or broker tour, will ACR's you assist me?

Yes, to the extent that we will advertise your open house or broker tour by adding it to your MLS listing. It is your responsibility to actually conduct the open houses and/or broker tours.

To schedule an open house or broker tour, by the end of the day the Wednesday before the weekend you are planning the open house (or the week before the broker tour), simply telephone,fax or email to us with your open house or broker tour request.

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22. Can ACR provide me a combination lock box in which I can put a key to my home so that realtors to whom I give authorization can show buyers my home when I am unable to be there?

Yes. For an additional fee of $100, your local realtor will provide you such a lock box. If you return the lock box in working condition after your house is sold, they will refund to you $25. 

Electronic SUPRA Boxes also available for $150. For Further instructions on installing the Electronic Supra Lock Box click here

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23. Exactly how does the lock box work? How does the real-estate agent get the code or password to open the box?

Let the agent that calls you know where the lockbox will be (recommended to be on the front door) and combination for their files. Generally, agents will call you, request a showing at a certain time and date. You should write down their name, company, and office phone number. Then call them back, verify it is a real estate office and they are a licensed agent, then leave them a message with the lockbox combination (assuming the time and date is ok with you).

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24. Can you put up a virtual tour of our home?

Yes. For an additional fee of $80, your local realtor will coordinate getting a virtual tour produced and put online with your listing. For an additional $20 the tour will also be placed on Realtor.com

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25. Can ACR provide me a yard sign?

Yes. For an additional fee of $150, your realtor will coordinate providing you a yard sign. If you return the yard sign to them in good condition after your house is sold, they will refund to you $75. Yard sign provided free of cost by certain Local Realtors. Please consult your local realtor for details.

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26. What if my needs change and I want to terminate my listing? or make any changes to my listing.

You may terminate your listing at any time if you communicate your termination request to your listing realtor in writing (of fax). Please see you listing agreement for details

All price changes need to be in writing and need to be faxed to your listing broker.

To make other changes in your listing please email your listing broker with your MLS # and the changes you'd like. 

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29. Who's telephone number is used for contact information on the MLS?

In the MLS Showing instructions all agents with buyers would be instructed to contact you directly. 

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30. How can I pay for the listing?

You can either pay online with a credit card online 

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31. Where do I send the photo of my house?

Email photos to your local assigned realtor. The instructions will be provided to you once your order is received.

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