Welcome to Pacific Northwest Houses for Sale FAQ
Flat Fee Real Estate Listing - Common Questions and Answers
What is the MLS?
The MLS is short for the Multiple Listing Service. In Washington State the largest MLS is the Northwest Multiple Listing Service which is an internet based company who provides real estate brokers and agents/Realtors with a members only data base service for advertising real estate properties for sale. We are not the NWMLS, we are a member of the NWMLS.
How is real estate generally sold?
!. By using a licensed Realtor/agent to list and sell real estate. Generally fees are charged has a commission that is based on a percentage of the selling price of the house. Commissions can range from 4 - 7%. A commission is split between the "Listing Agent" (the Realtor/agent who places your house up for sale) and the "Buyer's Agent" (the Realtor/agent who is representing the buyer who places an offer on the property). The "Listing Agent" advertises the property for sale, locates a buyer by varies ways, negotiates with the buyer/buyer's agent when they offer to purchase a property. Most of the time the "Listing Agent" directs the home selling process from listing the property for sale to the close of the property in escrow. Part of their advertising will consist of placing a for sale sign in the front yard, putting up directional arrows and advertising on the internet, newspaper and magazine ads to attract a buyer. Some agents will host Open Houses to attract buyers.
2. For Sale by Owners will place a sign in their front yard and do some advertising in their local newspaper to attract a buyer. They deal directly with buyers wanting to see their properties. They will also be in charge of the whole buying and selling process including ordering title and opening up an account at an escrow company that will be handing the closing paperwork.
3. Flat Fee listings, best of both worlds, that covers both FSBO & Realtor/agent. Flat fee real estate listing service adds extra exposure and cuts some of the cost of having to advertise your property for sale. A flat fee listing agent places the property into the same data base that agents/Realtors use for advertising properties for sale. Buyers agents contact you directly to show the property, to negotiate terms and to present an offer to purchase. You get exposure and advertising on all major real estate web sites. The really positive part of all this is you save the commission that you would of paid to a "Listing Agent". You only paid a buyer's agent a commission if the property closes. You still advertise has a FSBO and you can end up paying nothing out in commission if a buyer comes to the property that is not represented by a agent/Buyer's Agent.
What is the Flat Fee Listing program?
We use the same process that Puget Sound Realtors/real estate agents use to advertise property for sale. We place the property into the NWMLS data base and advertise the real estate property for sale. This allows you to have exposure and attract more buyers who are working with a Buyer's Agent. Buyers. Buyers/buyers agents can view the property info online. Once the property is in the NWMLS data base it is then downloaded and goes into major real estate web sites that have a downloading agreement with the NWMLS. These web sites then display the property info to try to attract a buyer. The property is also posted on Realtor.com. The property owner is then in charge of arranging the showing of their property to agents/buyers. The owner would also be responsible for negotiating with the buyer/buyer's agent when an offer is presented.
Why should I use your company?
We are a locally based company in the Lakewood/Tacoma Washington area. We have no middle man, like so of the larger FSBO companies. You may wait for days before you are contacted by the agent assigned to you by the larger companies. With our company you can be listed on the MLS in the same day that we receive your filled out paperwork. We accept major credit cards or personal checks & money orders.
Do I have to pay a buyer's agent commission?
In order to place your property into the NWMLS data base you must be willing to offer a Buyer's Agent commission. This is a requirement no matter what List On the MLS Flat Fee Listing company you use. Remember, the Buyer's agent commission is only owed if you accept an offer from a Buyer's agent and the sale closes. Only then would you owe the commission and the escrow company will handle all the details.
How much commission do I have to pay the buyer's agent?
You are free to offer either a commission or a flat dollar amount. There is a spot on the paperwork where you can list what you prefer. Keep in mind that if other sellers in your area are offering 2.5 to 3% commission and you offer a flat dollar amount or less commission then other sellers you may have fewer showing or in some cases, no showings. Just remember that this is a money industry and the more you offer to the buyers agents the better the showings.
How long does it take to get my property Listed On the MLS?
You can be listed in the same day that we receive your paperwork back in our office. The paperwork will take you about 1 to 2 hours to fill out. Once you have completed the forms then you fax or email them back to our office. Paperwork received in our office by 6:00 PM Monday - Friday & Saturdays until 3:00 PM will be entered into the MLS on the same day.
How long can my property be listed for sale?
You can list for 6 months, then if your property hasn't sold you can renewal for another 6 months (for FREE).
Will my name and phone number be listed so buyers can call me directly?
MLS rules in Washington state do not allowed the owner name or personal info to be displayed for the general public to view. This rule applies no matter which List On the MLS Flat Fee Listing company you use.
How will buyers be able to contact me?
Buyers who call our office will be provided your name & number and told to contact you directly to book an appointment. We redirect all buyer inquires to our FSBO Flat Fee Lisitng customers. Buyers generally contact us by either email or phone calls. Emails regarding your property will be forwarded to you. Your phone number will also be displayed on our Featured Home & FSBO web pages with your property listing. Your number will be on the House For Sale sign that you will receive with the Bronze or Gold FSBO Flat Fee Listing packages.
How do I sign up for your Flat Fee Listing program?
visit our Flat Fee Listing paperwork page, http://www.pacificnorthwesthousesforsale.com/Flat_Fee_Listing_Paperwork.html . Fill the forms out and fax back to us at 253-589-3230. Toll Free 1-866-870-8798. Check out our For Sale By Owner Flat Fee Listing programs at http://www.pacificnorthwesthousesforsale.com/Flat_Fee_Real_Estate_Listing_Service.html, email us the number of photos for the package you are choosing to alice@pacificnorthwesthousesforsale.com. Your photos will be uploaded to the NWMLS after we have inputted your property info into the NWMLS data base. Once you are live and advertised for sale in the NWMLS we will email you a confirmation. Payment is expected either when you sign up for the flat fee listing of your choice or within 24 hours after your property has been posted to the NWMLS. We accept Visa & Mastercard credit cards.
If you prefer to pay with a check, make payable to Pacific Northwest Houses For Sale and mail to:
Pacific Northwest Houses For Sale
1901 S, Jefferson Ave. Suite 102
Tacoma, WA 98402
Is there a shipping charge for the signs, key box or the sign post?
We currently have a shipping special, all shipping is free. You save has much as $40 off the normal shipping charge. Generally there is a shipping & handling charge to cover our material costs of processing and shipping to your home or business. The shipping & handling fee apply to the Bronze & Gold programs only. We use Fed-Ex, UPS or USPS for shipping.
What Is Your Refund Policy?
We issue a refund, (in the first 7 days of the initial credit card charge), minus a $50 processing fee. We have to pay this processing fee to the bank for every charge. *If your property has already been placed into the NWMLS then there are no refunds, since you have been provided the Flat Fee Listing Service. We ask that you make sure you want to list your property for sale using our Flat Fee Listing Service before you signup to avoid any refunds.
I've never sold a property before, do you provide assistance or help me with the sale of my property?
Since this is a for sale by owner program and we are not party to the transaction between you and the buyer/Buyer's agent we do not provide assistance with the sale has part of our Flat Fee Listing Service. We do have some services that are available through our A La Carte program that may be of help to you. We offer a service where we write up the Purchase & Sale Agreement for buyer. You could also use the services of a Real Estate attorney to look over any offers that come in. If you are going to need a lot of help you may want to check out our Full service Flat Fee Listing programs. Agent Assist Program Full Service - Full Represention
Can I change my property Information?
You can update your property information & photos at anytime, just send us an email so we have it in writing. Emails can be sent to customerservice@pacificnorthwesthousesforsale.com.
Can I post pictures of my property and how do I get them to your company?
You can post 6 picture with the Silver Package, up to 10 pictures with the Bronze Package, up to 15 pictures with the Gold Package. *We have no control over the pictures or information posted to the other real estate web sites. We only control the content on our web site.
Do I need a key box?
*You do not have to have a key box however we recommend you use one. The easier you make it for agents to show your property the quicker it sales. With the Bronze & Gold programs the key boxes are optional, they come with the program. The box records who accesses the key box to attain the key. Only members of the NWMLS or local MLS can access the key box.
Will Realtors and other Real Estate Agencies show my house?
Yes, real estate agents/Realtors and brokers will show your house. Your listing shows up just like any other property listed for sale in the NWMLS. Just an FYI, some agents will not show your property if the buyer's agent commission is lower than other property owners are offering in the area or if you offer a flat dollar amount. Please keep in mind that selling real estate is a business for these agents/Realtor so the more money they made on a sale the more they will show your property. Some agents will not show your home because it is a "Limited Service Listing" and they know you do not have a "Listing Agent". Please keep in mind for every agent who will not show your home there are lots of buyer's agents who will show your property and they are not bothered by the fact that you do not have a "Listing Agent".
Can I advertise my property has a For Sale By Owner once I have listed on the MLS?
You can advertise your property for sale by owner, has long has you include "Better Properties RE" in any online or print ads. This is a WA State licensing rule.
Can I have an Open House and advertise the Open House on the MLS?
You can have an Open House and advertise it in a newspaper ad. You would need to include some where in your ad either the MLS # or "Better Properties RE". This is required by the state licensing department. We can not advertise in the MLS data base if an agent is not in attendance.
What if I decide to cancel my listing?
You are free to cancel your listing at anytime and list with a full service agency. There is a form you would need to fill out and return back to us. We then send the form onto the NWMLS and they cancel the listing.
This information is presented by Pacific Northwest Houses For Sale/Owner Alice Zamnuik in association with Better Properties Real Estate.
*Flat Fee Listing Services are subject to change.
If you have additional questions that are not answered in the FAQ please call at 253-589-3230 or 253-273-6159 and we would be happy to answer any questions you may have. We have be listing Flat Fee FSBO properties since 2002.
Thank you for visiting our web site and have a wonderful day.
