REALTOR® Statistics
Hours worked by all REALTORS® (nationwide): 46 per week
Gross personal income by hours worked: $62,300 (median for 40 hrs.) Percent of business generated by REALTOR® personal web site (all REALTORS®): Zero - 28%; over 25%- 12%
Real estate experience of all REALTORS® (median): 9 years
REALTORS® by gender: Male 46%; Female 54%
Formal education of REALTORS®: Some college/associate degree: 45%; Bachelor's degree: 26%; High school graduate: 9%; Graduate degree and above: 11%; Graduate study: 9%
Affiliate membership of REALTORS ®: RLI: less than 1%; WCR: 4%; CRE: 1%; REBAC: 9%; CRS: 11%; CCIM: 2%Source: 2005 National Association of REALTORS® Member Profile
Discount Real Estate - sell your home your way - flat fee listings from $199, discount commission or full service listings. It's nice to have a choice!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Giving sellers options
Our main goal is to give the customer options. Most people are familiar with the full service listing. We are working at getting the information about the alternatives and what they provide. The flat fee listing can benefit the client in several ways, including paying no on listing commission and retaining the right to sell by owner with no commissions at all if the homeowner finds the buyer. The MLS listing looks like all the rest and goes on Realtor.com and numerous other internet sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same MLS that all of the Realtors in my area use?
Yes, your home will be listed by a licensed Realtor and your home's MLS listing will appear in the proper MLS for your area.
How do you provide your services at such a low price?
Most of our services are provided electronically. Since we don't maintain a large office and we do most of our busines via phone, fax, email, and the Internet, we have very low overhead and can easily pass our savings on to our clients.
Is it true that Realtors using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) sell most houses and that they usually sell for a higher price than homes that aren't listed on the MLS?
Yes, it's true on both accounts. According to the National Association of Realtors, approximately 80% of all U.S. homes are sold through Realtors using the MLS and homes listed on the MLS average net proceeds of 7% higher than homes sold for sale by owner.
When will my house be listed on the MLS?
Your home will be listed on the MLS within 24 hours.
How long will my home be listed on the MLS?
Your home will be listed on the MLS for a maximum of 4 months.
Will my listing look the same as those who have agreed to pay a full listing commission to a traditional agent?
Yes. Your listing will look like all of the other listings on your local MLS.
How will I know my property is listed with all of the correct information?
You will receive a copy of your MLS listing and you may make any changes you like, provided the changes are acceptable to the rules and regulations of your local MLS and Board of Realtors.
Do I have control over all listing information?
No. The MLS arranges required information according to multiple choice templates. We cannot customize the MLS data listed. Further, most fields are not transferred to public sites, only the most basic information will be displayed.
What if I sell my house on my own?
This is yet another benefit that sets us apart from your typical Realtor. When you list your home through Lauralei Properties you pay a flat fee of just * (depending on the location and price of your home), but you still maintain the right to sell your home on your own. If you find your own buyer, you will not be obligated to pay a commission on the sale.
If my listing Realtor brings me a buyer and sells my home, will I owe a commission?
Yes. If any of our affiliated Realtors present a qualified buyer to you and that buyer purchases your home, whoever brings you the buyer will be entitled to the buyers' agent's commission you agree to pay (generally 2.7%) for selling your home as the buyers' agent.
Can I use a lockbox?
Yes. We have combination lock boxes you use for the 4 months for $25.
Will you conduct open houses?
You may hold an open house of your own, if you so desire. We will conduct open houses for a fee. The fact of the matter is that open houses are primarily prospecting tools for real estate agents. Open houses are really a way for agents to get their names out there to prospective buyers who are early on in their quest to buy a home. Furthermore, very few homes are sold as a result of an open house because many of the visitors are tire-kickers, bargain hunters, nosey neighbors and people looking for something to do on the weekends.
Will my property be listed on the Internet?
Yes. Your property will be listed on www.realtor.com, www.lauralei.net and other real estate websites. These internet listings will give you national exposure to out-of-state homebuyers. Since many of your potential buyers will be from outside your local area, this exposure can be a vital component in selling your home quickly and for the best price. The independent websites, realtor.com and homes.com, will obtain your listing directly from the MLS. Keep in mind that they pick up whatever they wish from your MLS listing to publish on their websites. Thus, we have no control over these independent websites and we cannot change or edit their content.
Who will do all of the paperwork involved in the sale of my home?
If an agent submits an offer it will come to Lauralei Properties and I will assist you. If you get a for sale by owner client you get forms directly from the buyer. If you do not feel comfortable with doing the paperwork involved and feel you need assistance, we will do the forms for a small fee.
Do you accept credit cards?
yes, we accept credit cards via Paypal, and we also accept personal checks.
Yes, your home will be listed by a licensed Realtor and your home's MLS listing will appear in the proper MLS for your area.
How do you provide your services at such a low price?
Most of our services are provided electronically. Since we don't maintain a large office and we do most of our busines via phone, fax, email, and the Internet, we have very low overhead and can easily pass our savings on to our clients.
Is it true that Realtors using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) sell most houses and that they usually sell for a higher price than homes that aren't listed on the MLS?
Yes, it's true on both accounts. According to the National Association of Realtors, approximately 80% of all U.S. homes are sold through Realtors using the MLS and homes listed on the MLS average net proceeds of 7% higher than homes sold for sale by owner.
When will my house be listed on the MLS?
Your home will be listed on the MLS within 24 hours.
How long will my home be listed on the MLS?
Your home will be listed on the MLS for a maximum of 4 months.
Will my listing look the same as those who have agreed to pay a full listing commission to a traditional agent?
Yes. Your listing will look like all of the other listings on your local MLS.
How will I know my property is listed with all of the correct information?
You will receive a copy of your MLS listing and you may make any changes you like, provided the changes are acceptable to the rules and regulations of your local MLS and Board of Realtors.
Do I have control over all listing information?
No. The MLS arranges required information according to multiple choice templates. We cannot customize the MLS data listed. Further, most fields are not transferred to public sites, only the most basic information will be displayed.
What if I sell my house on my own?
This is yet another benefit that sets us apart from your typical Realtor. When you list your home through Lauralei Properties you pay a flat fee of just * (depending on the location and price of your home), but you still maintain the right to sell your home on your own. If you find your own buyer, you will not be obligated to pay a commission on the sale.
If my listing Realtor brings me a buyer and sells my home, will I owe a commission?
Yes. If any of our affiliated Realtors present a qualified buyer to you and that buyer purchases your home, whoever brings you the buyer will be entitled to the buyers' agent's commission you agree to pay (generally 2.7%) for selling your home as the buyers' agent.
Can I use a lockbox?
Yes. We have combination lock boxes you use for the 4 months for $25.
Will you conduct open houses?
You may hold an open house of your own, if you so desire. We will conduct open houses for a fee. The fact of the matter is that open houses are primarily prospecting tools for real estate agents. Open houses are really a way for agents to get their names out there to prospective buyers who are early on in their quest to buy a home. Furthermore, very few homes are sold as a result of an open house because many of the visitors are tire-kickers, bargain hunters, nosey neighbors and people looking for something to do on the weekends.
Will my property be listed on the Internet?
Yes. Your property will be listed on www.realtor.com, www.lauralei.net and other real estate websites. These internet listings will give you national exposure to out-of-state homebuyers. Since many of your potential buyers will be from outside your local area, this exposure can be a vital component in selling your home quickly and for the best price. The independent websites, realtor.com and homes.com, will obtain your listing directly from the MLS. Keep in mind that they pick up whatever they wish from your MLS listing to publish on their websites. Thus, we have no control over these independent websites and we cannot change or edit their content.
Who will do all of the paperwork involved in the sale of my home?
If an agent submits an offer it will come to Lauralei Properties and I will assist you. If you get a for sale by owner client you get forms directly from the buyer. If you do not feel comfortable with doing the paperwork involved and feel you need assistance, we will do the forms for a small fee.
Do you accept credit cards?
yes, we accept credit cards via Paypal, and we also accept personal checks.
Flat Fee listings and how they work
Flat fee mls works because there are two real estate agents involved in the sale of almost every house: the "listing agent" who works with the Seller, and the "buyer's agent" who works with the Buyer.
1. Listing Agent tasks include putting home in MLS, a sign, help with contracts....
Buyer's agent searches MLS for homes that match Buyer's wishes, takes Buyers to see homes and prepare offer and assist with negotiations
On a $200,000 house, the Seller typically pays 6% commission ($15,000) which is split evenly, with the "listing agent" getting $7500 and the "buyer's agent" getting the remaining $7500
A flat fee listing eliminates the $7500 that goes to the "Listing Agent" and replaces it with a "flat" fee of $195 - $495
This is a SAVINGS of thou$and$ of dollars
PLUS you can still sell your house yourself if you find the buyer and pay NO commission!!
check out my website
lauralei.net.....
Laura Ludwig
Lauralei Properties
314-503-1186
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Welcome to Lauralei Properties
Welcome to Lauralei Properties and the chance to sell your home your way! We are really interested in getting your input - questions and concerns - about the home selling process.... add your entry today - and check back often as the blog will be updated regularly.
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