Hey Richardson, Texas. What is a flat fee MLS listing?

What is a Flat Fee MLS Listing?

A “Flat Fee MLS Listing” refers to the practice in the real estate industry of a seller entering into a service agreement with a real estate broker who accepts a flat fee rather than a percentage of the sale price for the listing side of the transaction.

What is a Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?

Today, through more than 800 local and regional MLS associations across the USA, brokers share information on properties they have listed and invite other brokers to cooperate in their sale in exchange for compensation if they produce the buyer. Sellers benefit by increased exposure to their property. Buyers benefit because they can obtain information about all MLS-listed properties while working with only one broker.

What is a For Sale By Owner (FSBO)

Abbreviated as FSBO, a home offered for sale without the assistance of a real estate agent. As a FSBO, you’re responsible for everything from start to finish. Pricing, staging, listing, marketing, negotiating, forms, contracts, legal compliance, and closing the transaction are your responsibility. FSBO’s receive a ton of calls from agents trying to get an MLS listing.

What is the difference between a Flat Fee MLS Listing and traditional 6% listing service?

The cost of the listing is a fixed amount not a percentage.
Upfront set up fees are common with Flat Fee MLS Listings.
Features are bundled differently and vary with different providers.
Flat Fee MLS Listings avoid conflicts of interest.

What is the difference between a Flat Fee MLS Listing and a FSBO?

We know the FSBO seller does all the work to avoid agent fees and commissions. For starters, to market any property in MLS, you have to pay a buyer agent commission of 50% of what would have been paid to a traditional 6% agent. When you go the bare bones Flat Fee MLS route, the broker at a minimum is responsible for creating the listing, scheduling open houses and making any updates. If you want additional help with pictures, lock box, signs, flyers, showing service, negotiating, closing, market analysis, you may pay more.

What questions should I be asking?

What are all the fees and commissions? (Avoid hidden fees)
Do you help with pricing strategies? (Get a market analysis and explanation)
How will you market my property? (MLS, photos, web sites, sign, flyer)
How will you schedule appointments? (You or a showing service)
What is your track record? (Past performance, how many deals are you working)
How do you provide representation? (Who is the point of contact, who handles negotiation)
Do I have to speak to buyers and their agents? (You or agent)
Do you provide transaction and closing assistance? (You or agent)
How long will it take to get my listing in MLS? (Days or weeks)
How do you communicate with me? (Email, text, phone, help desk)

What are my closing expenses?

It is critically important that you fully understand your costs and timing obligations before pricing your home, executing and negotiating a contract. Your agent should help you understand your closing expenses at the time of the listing based on your approximate list price. When an offer is received, contract terms can be different based on timing and terms and another evaluation is required to correctly understand the offer in hand.

How does the buyer agent get paid? Why am I paying his commission?

Buyer agent fees are always confusing. Real Estate is a unique industry in that the Seller sets and pays the representation fee for the Buyer. The compensation system was developed to encourage cooperation between Brokers and promote fairness. With this system, cooperating agents can know what earnings to expect without becoming a party to a transaction. The amount you pay is negotiated in your listing agreement.

What should I do to get my home ready to sale?

The way you sell a home and live in a home are different things. The foremost number one thing to do is, “declutter” counters, walls and rooms. I walk into showings all the time and the garage is stacked floor to ceiling with Tupperware crates of removed clutter. Clean and make attractive all rooms, furnishings, floors, walls and ceilings. Make sure the basic appliances and fixtures work and get rid of leaky faucets and frayed cords. Make the house smell great.

Should I make repairs to sell my home?

Making repairs leads to a better sales price and a faster sell. It’s not always an easy decision about what to do and how much to spend. Your market analysis and agent should assist you in making repair decisions.

How will I see where my home is shown on the Internet?

It is simple, in considering listing services, enter the property address and Google search some of their active listings. After your listing is live, Google search your property address. You will see all the major sites on the first page. 

What are the steps involved in selling my home?

When making a decision to sell your home, you need to establish an asking price and understand your proceeds. While some sellers successfully sell their homes on their own, a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) arrangement is complicated and risky requiring a great deal of personal time and expertise through the process. For this reason, most people consider the fee paid to a real estate Broker worth the investment, for the convenience, time savings, and overall guidance provided. In choosing any MLS Listing Service, make sure you understand what will be provided and at what cost.


DFWCityhomes is an established Flat Fee MLS listing Service and Full Service real estate company that represents buyers and sellers in Richardson, Texas. Our clients receive a full service experience with agent representation at a fraction of the cost. Our simplified process is hassle free, proven, and effective.

Interested in learning more? Watch this video and click MLS Listing Services Buyer Rebate Services to see how we may help you. Contact Us or Call (214)-207-0210 and we will explain to you how our services can save you time and money.


Richardson, Texas

Welcome to the City of Richardson, Texas with over 97,000 residents.  Richardson has two nationally acclaimed public schools systems, one State university, two community colleges, two public university satellite campuses, a flourishing hospitality industry, a renowned orchestra, and a thriving arts and culture community that enhance the City’s quality of life and business.  Today the City is no longer the bedroom community of the ’50s and ’60s, but is itself at the heart of a significant employment center, the Telecom Corridor®, where more than 80,000 people work each day. Richardson is a city in Dallas and Collin counties in Texas. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 99,223. Richardson is the new home of State Farm Insurance’s 1.5 million-square-foot campus under construction in Richardson. It is already the biggest office development underway in North Texas and will eventually bring up to 8,000 employees. 

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