How a Flat Fee Listing process work

Discover why thousand of sellers are choosing the benefits of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for a flat fee. Save thousands of dollars in real estate commission while your home is still exposed to all REALTORS®.

With the accessibility of the MLS listing on various web sites, survey shows that 90% of buyers start looking for properties on the internet. Thus the average listing agents have little more to offer than what Flat Fee brokers are offering, but they collect a sizable amount of commission when the home is sold.

We at Savvy Lane developed a program to offer you most of the same services that a full commission agent would offer for the fraction of the price. You have complete control over how much you will spend throughout the selling process. And, you retain the right to sell your home on your own.

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Here are a few answers to your questions, if you need more information or clarification, please feel free to contact us by phone at 800-915-9174 or Email.

What happens after I order?
My home was listed with a broker, can I use your services?
What is the MLS?
What telephone number will people call for a showing?
Do I need to come to your office to list my home?
Do I need a key box?
Can I send my own photos to be displayed with my listing?
Will my listing look the same as other listings?
Can I make changes to my listing?
Who will be the main contact person after my home is listed?
Can I ask a buyer if they are approved for a mortgage?
Will agents show my listing if I am not paying the full 6% commission?
Do I have to pay a buyer’s agent commission?
If my home sale does not successfully close, would I have to pay the buyer’s agent commission?
Are there any additional fees?
What is the listing period and can I cancel at any time?
How do I get started with your Flat Fee Listing program?
Is the yard sign included?
Can I list my home with you for a full service listing?

What happens after I order?
See our Seller’s Checklist and our Terms and Conditions for more detailed information.

My home was listed with a broker, can I use your services?
YES. If your property is listed with a broker it is not our intention to solicit that listing. However, it is your right not to extend the listing when expired or to cancel your listing at any time. According to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice 16-8 of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®: "The fact that an exclusive agreement has been entered into with a REALTOR® shall not preclude or inhibit any other REALTOR® from entering into a similar agreement after the expiration of the prior agreement."

What is the MLS?
The MLS – Multiple Listing Service – is a broker owned fee based service to licensed members to input listings for sellers and search listings for buyers. The MLS is the primary tool agents use to find a property when they have a buyer, it is used by all agents whether it is a traditional listing or a Flat Fee listing. The buyer's office commission amount offered is required by the MLS along with the detailed information about the home including pictures. Your advantage is the increased exposure to buyers. Our average flat fee customers save over $10,000. In recent years the MLS has made their data available to many local and national real estate internet sites. By listing your property on the MLS you will gain this increased exposure which is accessible to everyone who is in the market to buy a home.

What telephone number will people call for a showing?
You will be contacted directly by all buyers and agents with buyers who would be interested in seeing your home. The MLS requires to show our office information, but agents will be instructed to call you before they show your property. If agents or buyers contact us, they will be referred to you. According to MLS public websites are not permitted to show the owner’s name or phone number. This MLS rule applies to all companies that are members of the MLS.

Do I need to come to your office to list my home?
NO. Our services are set up to maximize your convenience. The necessary paperwork can be filled out online, emailed, faxed, or mailed both ways so there is no travel, appointment, or time-consuming meetings necessary to get listed. The sign, lock box, and/or other supplies are generally sent out the next day from our office.

Do I need a key box?
The MLS requires the use of a key box, unless you decline. We highly recommend that you use an electronic key box. This makes it easy and convenient for agents to show your home at any time. We have key boxes available for rental. Please return the key box within a week after your property is sold or cancelled. In order to minimize the risk of misuse of the key box we recommend against the use of key boxes on door handles that can be unscrewed from the outside or on other parts of the home from which the key box can be easily removed. As agents will have access to your property you should remove all valuables or put them in a secure place. Savvy Lane, is not responsible for any valuables lost.

Can I send my own photos to be displayed with my listing?
YES. You have a choice of taking your own photos and submitting it to us, or you can hire a photographer. We recommend that you choose up to 15 good images and save it to a folder, once you ready to list your home you can upload your pictures, we can then display it on the MLS and all other websites. Please note, the Basic $95 package includes one photo, and the Extended $295 Package includes eight photo uploads to the MLS. When selecting your photos, keep in mind that having a current photo is important, especially in season. All web sites will display your home information including the photos to the general public, prospective buyers will get the first impression by this presentation. Take photos with a wide angle lens. All photos must must be of your property. The main photo must be the exterior of your home. Other photos may include front and back yard, kitchen, living, dining, family and bedrooms, and any views from YOUR property if applicable. For more see our Home Selling Tips.

Will my listing look the same as other listings?
YES. Your listing will be identical to the listings of competing real estate companies. It will show all photos and all listing information, including the commission offered to an agent who successfully sells the home, and instructions for showing the home.

Can I make changes to my listing?
YES. You can make changes online, log on to My Account, or email your changes after reviewing the listing - there is no charge for corrections. You will be assigned a Listing Number and you can reference this number to agents to identify your listing. You can have several changes to your listing like price without extra charges with the Premium $895, Full $495 and Extended $295 packages, changes with our Basic $95 package is extra. You must fill out and sign the Change Request form. Our service include free status changes (Pending Sale–Subject To Inspection; Pending–Accepting Back up Offers; Pending; Sale Failed–Back On Market; and Sold.) Your changes will appear within 1-2 days on the MLS.

Who will be the main contact person after my home is listed?
Our broker and our staff will be your contact once you are listed. We are licensed brokers and members of the MLS. We are committed and focused on helping you sell your home for a flat fee with the least amount of hassle and inconvenience.

Can I ask a buyer if they are approved for a mortgage?
YES. Before you agree to show your home to a buyer you should know if they are in a position to buy your home. In today’s tight credit market all buyers should be pre approved for a mortgage before they begin looking at homes. Requiring a pre approval letter lets you know whether the buyer is qualified to buy your home and it will make the purchase process much simpler. The buyer should present a pre approval letter on the letterhead of a mortgage lender and signed by a loan officer. If the buyer does not have such a letter, you should not accept the offer until they have obtained one. Many lenders can provide these letters to a buyer within a day after the buyer completes the application and submits the required paperwork.

Will agents show my listing if I am not paying the full 6% commission?
YES. Agents want to find a home that meets their buyers needs as quickly as possible, as long as they get paid a competitive commission. The MLS listing does not show how much you are paying to list your home, only what you are offering to pay the agent who brings the buyer.

Do I have to pay a buyer’s agent commission?
YES. To list your property in the MLS you must be willing to offer a buyer’s agent commission. This is a requirement, no matter what company you use. However the commission is negotiable it can be a flat dollar amount or a percentage of the sale price, payable only when you accept the offer and your property is sold by an agent. Through our listing program, you retain the right to sell on your own. If you find your own buyer than you do not owe a commission.

If my home sale does not successfully close, would I have to pay the buyer agent commission?
NO. The commission is only paid if the buyer actually purchases the property and the closing is successful. If your buyer is unable to complete the transaction, you do not owe the buyer’s agent a commission.

Are there any additional fees?
NO. All of the fees we charge are listed on our web site. For the Listing Tools the shipping costs are included and there are no additional or hidden fees. We do not charge any other fees for the sale of your home. WA sales tax applies where applicable.

What is the listing period and can I cancel at any time?
The Basic $95 Package’s listing period is 3 month, the Extended $295 Package is 6 month, and the listing period is up to 12 months for the Full $495 and Premium $895 Packages. If you wish to renew your Full listing before the expiration date you may relist for only $295. Premium listing time is unlimited, MLS will require a renewal after one year, the fee will be $1.00. There is no discount to renew for the Basic and the Extended packages, they are $95 and $295 respectively. If you renew your listing after the expiration date the listing fee will be full price. You can cancel at anytime, there is no cancelation fee or refund. You must fill out and sign a cancellation form, your listing will be removed from the MLS within 1-2 days.

How do I get started with your Flat Fee Listing program?
Our services are simple, please fill out our online form, go to List My Home, it will take about 20-30 minutes. Select the additional Listing Tools, than submit your order with payment. If you have questions or need help filling out these forms, please call our office. Once the documents and your photographs are submitted to us, your property will be listed in the MLS the same day if received by 1:00 P.M. If we receive your documents and photographs after 1:00 P.M. or on the weekend, your property will be posted the next business day. All other websites, including REALTOR.com® will post your listing within 4-5 business days. Changes to an MLS listing are handled in the same fashion. Please refer to the Seller’s Checklist for more instructions. Once all the paperwork is signed and payment is received, we upload your property information into the MLS. You will receive a confirmation email once your property has been posted on the MLS.

Is the yard sign included?
YES. The yard sign is included in the Premium $895 and Full $495 Packages, with the Extended $295 and the Basic $95 package this service is optional. The yard sign with a flyer box will be posted on your property within 5-7 business days. Once you have completed your listing, uploaded your pictures, and received your MLS number, you can immediately generate a PDF listing flyer. You can print it at your convenience, your flyer box will never run out of flyers. You may choose to purchase any listing tools at any time, including a lock box please log in to My Account to order and it will be shipped the next business day.

Can I list my home with you for a traditional service listing?
YES. If you are still unsure and feel the need to be represented by a traditional agent, our traditional real estate program is designed to help owners like you. We will take all the guess work out of the home selling process by putting you in contact with one of our qualified real estate agent who can help you affective market and sell your home. Our traditional service commission fee is 6% of the total selling price of your property.

Your satisfaction is our #1 priority!
If you have any other questions More More About Our Services, please contact us.

We are here to help! Contact us by phone 800-915-9174 or Email with your questions. We are dedicated to offer professional services to effectively help you sell your home, but most importantly maximize your equity.