You provide a real estate company the exclusive right to sell the house - contracting listing agreement for a specified period - usually between three months to a year and often without the right to termination. After the expiration of the contract the company reserves the right at the time a commission if you sell your home to anyone who watched him during the listing and was registered by the company as a potential buyer. As part of listing agreement Real Estate Company:

1. Gives you recommendations on preparing homes for sale in order to make it more attractive to buyers.

2. Conducts analysis of real estate sales in the neighborhood to determine the optimal price at home for different types of sales (a quick sale, etc.) with its real strengths and weaknesses (location, design features, size, taxes, etc.).

3. Puts information about selling homes on the Internet for professional Realtors (MLS) and the general public.

4. Set beside the property sign on its sale.

5. Produces brochures with information about selling property and sets next to the house the device for their free distribution.

6. Conducted exhibition and sale at home on a regular basis.

7. Advertises homes in the media, including - in the special editions.

If the first five points of performing almost all of the realtors, the sixth depends only on the integrity of the company, and the seventh is available only to a limited range of Realtors (not cheap is fun).

8. Coordinates the activities of other realtors participating in the show house.

9. Responds to all calls relating to the sold object and performs a free show to buyers.

10. Assert your interests (sales price and the terms of the transaction) during negotiations with the buyer.

11. In the case of selling a home exercise control over the correctness of registration of all necessary documents.

Such a contract typically is 7% of the first hundred and 5% - with further distributed between the agency representing the interests of the buyer, and your listing Agency. Thus, with the selling price of homes in the $ 150,000 will have to pay $ 7000 + $ 2500 = $ 9500.

Despite the high price of this specialist service is worth the money, because it allows the buyer to get the maximum money for your home and avoid 'surprises' that may arise if to entrust the case fans. To sleep, sellers sometimes offer even higher commissions and additional bonuses to agents. It must be borne in mind that realtors get a commission only in case of sale and the costs have since the signing of a contract for the exclusive right to sell your home (in case of failure of these costs are not compensated).

Advice. Speak with several professionals before you make a choice. During listing presentations Pay particular attention to the marketing plan (like your house will be advertised) and the possibility of monitoring its implementation. Remember: not a good realtor, who offers to put the house for the highest price, but the one who proves a real plan to sell for real money.

Agent who has pledged to establish an excessive price, or inexperienced, or not quite honest. Putting a house into a higher price category, it is not designed to sell your property, and to attract more `expensive 'customers (with whom he can work as a buying agent). In this approach, the longer the property is on the market, the better realtor. And in the meantime you lose these customers, who simply do not want to look too expensive house.

If you do insist on a higher price, an experienced real estate agent must include in the contract item, which gives the right to reduce the price in case of non Offer within two - four weeks (of course, with your consent). Also keep in mind that the agent who was able to sell you their services for the maximum price you are more likely to sell your house than someone who is easy to forgo their future earnings. The agent most likely will not provide the full range of services, and therefore reduce the likelihood of a successful sale.

2. Exclusive contract for sale. This is one of the options with a limited set reeltorskih services for less.

Usually a combination of so-called flat fee (from $ 500 to $ 2 100) and approximately half the standard commission (usually 4% from the first hundred, and 3% - with the remaining amount, although variants are possible).

Accordingly, with $ 150,000 you pay $ 950 + $ 4000 + $ 1500 = $ 6450. Thus, the savings compared to the full commission is approximately equal to two months' payment in the payment of debt for the house.

Companies that provide such services, aggressively promote themselves, usually with an emphasis on flat fee, and nothing about the commission. Virtually every newspaper found the calls of type `Sell any house for just $ 995`.

We will understand how to actually operate such schemes.

First, they rely on a seller who has the ability to sell your home By Owner, ie, on its own, shows, hold Open House. But it agreed to pay for realtors with real buyers.

In other words, the scheme is designed for those who want to save on payment listing agency, taking over most of its functions. If the house really for sale By Owner, it is costing you in the very same $ 995 (or other amount as determined by the contract). Moreover, the entire amount you must pay real estate company in advance, when signing a contract to sell, and regardless of the outcome, the money will not be returned.

For the money the seller receives a sign for the sale of the house with a telephone number where interested can obtain the necessary information and agree on a show. Information about the house falls into the MLS (Multiple Listing Service for Realtors) and the Internet. Produced brochures or flyers. Sometimes you are offered one or two advertising publications in the mainstream press. With your consent for the house create a special lock for realtors with a key from the house.

After this house is sold or you (then with you and with the buyers take the extra money for the paperwork), or customers' agent (if you have to pay that part of the commission, which was stipulated in the contract).

There is a third option: the house is not sold at all. And then you lose not only time but also money paid at the conclusion of the contract. In this case you have already paid for the right to sell your home By Owner, without any liability to the agency upon the expiry of the contract.

Advice. When signing the contract, pay attention to the level of fees and how they are distributed between a seller's agent and buyer's agent. After all, is not always the commission, to which you have to fork out, are charged only for the buying agency. If the MLS for a house will be offered lower pay a buying broker than another, it is likely that agents representing buyers, but rather offer them a home of your competitor than you.

Also, keep in mind: You can order a similar service in virtually every agency. For the same or less money there is always the possibility to specify the agent more flexible and more solid set of real estate services.

3. You can ask your property consultant, who for the firm will charge you the desired professional work.

In this option, stop those who want to sell the house without intermediaries, but get professional advice on estate agent on pricing, marketing or processing of documents.