Question: What is the Multiple Listing System (MLS)?
Answer: The Multiple Listing System (MLS) is the combined listings of all Realtors primarily listed for sale within the boundary service areas of that system. For example Sacramento Metrolist's MLS primary service boundaries are Placer County, Sacramento County, Eldorado County, and Yolo County.
Moreover, Unlike any other website, or marketing system or service ... Realtydollars2u.com offers real estate buyers searchable Multiple Listing data / MLS Access throughout Northern California and a large portion of Southern California. HIGHEST VISIBILITY ... as a Realtydollars2u.com client your property will be a featured listing on our site. Only our clients will receive the highest possible online visability for their MLS listed California property. Please take a little extra time to check out our live searchable MLS property feeds.
Question: Do you have access to all the MLS systems in California?
Answer: Except for a few counties we cover the entire state.
Question: Does my listing appear in Realtor dot com?
Answer: Your listing will not only appear in Realtor dot com, but it will appear as a Showcased (Featured Tour) listing! Your property will also appear in any other online portal that the utilized MLS system feeds to ... let's look at Sacramento Metrolist again ... Realtor dot com downloads listing data from Metrolist on a regular 24 hour basis. The Sacramento Bee also regularly downloads the Metrolist listing data for their online customers. If one were to utilize the Los Angeles MLS system, then your listing will appear in the LA times, Realtor dot com, and other website portals; if you utilize the Southern California MLS system, then your Realtor® will be able to choose from multiple online portals to post your listing to. In contrast the San Francisco Multiple listing is fed to greater than 100 clients/portals who use and distribute their MLS listing data.
Question: Will my listing look like other listings on the MLS system?
Answer: Your listing will look exactly like the other listings within the specific system entered ... the only difference (based on our experience) you might find is that your listing very likely will be more complete and more marketable compared to other MLS listed properties.
Question: How long have you been offering these innovative services?
Answer: We started offering this service in Sacramento in 2000. The program has been tweaked and upgraded. We strongly believe that what we offer to clients now is the near perfect online solution and marketing system.
Question: How long have you been a Broker?
Answer: Since 2000 … Prior to that I was the top salesman at Century 21, winning multiple awards, including customer service awards. Please also check out my Broker Bio and real estate articles for additional background information.
Question: Are you a Realtor®?
Answer: Yes. Not only am I a Realtor®, but I am a Graduate of the Real Estate Institute, GRI and an Accredited Buyers Broker, ABR.
Question: Do you have ANY derogative notes on your real estate license?
Answer: Absolutely not ... my license is clean without any comments whatsoever. You can review my license through the California Department of Real Estate website @ dre.ca.gov DRE license # 01243729.
Question: If I sell my property myself do I pay an additional commission?
Answer: No. If you sell your property without the aid of a Realtor® you are limited to the up-front fee only. With one exception ... the FSBO Discount Commission marketing package charges a listing fee at close of escrow ... see FSBO Discount Commission, 'Description of Service' for specifics.
Question: How many pictures can I place onto Realtor dot com?
Answer: Under our program you can place up to 25 pictures into your advertisement on Realtor dot com.
Question: How many pictures can you place into my MLS listing?
Answer: Each MLS system varies within the state ... typically from 5 to 99 pictures.
Question: Can I put my contact information in the property description?
Answer: Within the MLS system your contact information is only visible to other Realtors ... remember this is a Realtor® data base. We created a special site for clients to enter their own contact information so as not miss an opportunity of a possible direct client / buyer transaction for additional savings.
Question: What is the difference between your service and that of other so called "full service" Realtors®?
Answer: Not much, we perform open house functions on a case by case basis (depending on the marketing package chosen and property location). Unlike other Realtors® we have the ability to market your home throughout the web and through multiple web portals. We do not provide print media advertising of the subject property ... if our client wishes to advertise their listing within the local newspaper classifieds then they will have to pay for that service. Our online advertising and marketing program is much more extensive than online services offered by other Realtors®, or even the largest real estate brokerages.
Question: What is the difference between your service, and For Sale by Owner services on the web?
Answer: A huge difference ... WE can list within the local MLS system and not a hybrid non-Realtor® MLS. As a Realtor® / Broker and owner of multiple real estate sites, we have the ability to highlight your property on all the major useful online real estate portals. We keep abreast of current real estate law changes, including disclosure changes and or contract revisions. We can de-stress any real estate transaction.
Question: What is the difference between your service and MLS real estate discount services?
Answer: A huge difference ... We do not discount our services … We operate our business a little bit smarter than others, and our model lends itself to lower real estate fees being levied against the Seller. We believe and enjoy what we do for our clients, thus our service is not simply entry only and to one entry point only. We take a “hands on” client friendly approach into every transaction. We are there for our clients at all times when needed, and provide multiple resources within our web portals www.listanyhome.com and www.realtydollars2u.com. Our online marketing and advertising system is designed to achieve a successful sale.
Question: Do you offer a virtual tour?
Answer: Yes. If your property is within a reasonable distance from Sacramento we will create a virtual tour of your property. If you have several high quality digital images of your property we will turn them into a professional virtual tour. In some instances we may use a third party to create a virtual tour of your property.
Question: Can I get an electronic lockbox for my property?
Answer: In most cases ... yes, but there may be an extra fee for this service.
Question: Can I get a combo lockbox for my property?
Answer: Yes ... there is a package that offers a combination lockbox.
Question: Do you offer a property sales flyer / brochure for my property?
Answer: Yes. You will have professional marketing flyer choices.
Question: Do you offer a For Sale Sign and stand?
Answer: Yes. Your For Sale Sign will include your listing number which directs buyers to your online listing, property pictures, and virtual tour.
Question: Do you offer disclosure assistance?
Answer: Yes. Check each listing package for specifics. We also offer a disclosure transaction service only ... if you have already found a Buyer for your property.
Question: What if I want to cancel my listing … can I do that?
Answer: Our contract allows you to cancel you listing anytime and for any reason, as long as you have not committed to sell to a Buyer through purchase contract.
Question: Do you offer contract assistance?
Answer: Yes. Check each listing package for specifics.
Question: Do you offer transaction assistance?
Answer: Yes. Check each listing package for specifics.
Question: I know how to sell homes, I have sold several myself, and am familiar with the contracts ... will you provide disclosures with the basic $249.00 package.
Answer: Yes. But any other transaction assistance offered by the Broker will be limited in scope. Follow these rules for a successful transaction … disclose, disclose, and disclose!
Question: Are you located in the State of California?
Answer: Yes. You will find our base of operations in Sacramento California.
Question: How much money can I expect to save?
Answer: If you sell your home yourself with the aid of our extensive online advertising and marketing you will only be charged the up-front fee … If an agent brings the Buyer who successfully closes escrow with you, then you are limited to the up-front fee and the published agent’s /Brokers commission. Total savings can be significant!
Question: What is a typical commission?
Answer: It is strictly up to you as owner to set the commission that you wish to pay other Brokers. Most Agents / Brokers expect to see and be paid a commission in the range of 2.5 to 3%.
Question: I have heard that other Realtors® might avoid showing my property if it is listed at a discount, as they want to hang onto that 6 or 7 percent commission ... Is this a valid concern?
Answer: Consider this statement ridiculous … It is not a conspiracy. Realtors® are bound by a code ethics. The real estate business is rapidly changing. We have chosen to operate our business a little differently than others in response to the changing marketplace. A salesperson truly risks their Realtor® privileges if they steer clients away from any listing … it is also highly unethical for a Realtor® to make a statement of this nature … to scare individuals in effort to get a listing. If you do hear any Realtor® talk in these terms then please do yourself a big favor and consider using a different Realtor®.
We have a low overhead model, and operate effectively by giving back to our clients. The Buyer’s Broker still gets paid their typical commission when they sell one of our listings and therefore do not care, or likely do not know whether or not we have chosen to take less money for our efforts.
Question: How many houses have you closed escrow on?
Answer: Several hundred successful closed transactions.
Question: Can you handle even the most complex escrows?
Answer: We have worked on some of the easiest, and some of the most complicated transactions imaginable.
Question: Does Realtydollars2u.com have a strong online presence?
Answer: Realtydollars2u.com is one of the strongest Realtor® websites in the country. We promise excellent visibility for your listing on Realtydollars2u.com, and this site only represents a fraction of the overall marketing program.
Question: Why should I list my property with you today?
Answer: Hopefully we have answered most of your questions and addressed your concerns. If you need additional questions answered please do not hesitate to contact us anytime. By now you probably realize that you have everything you need right here packaged nice and neatly for a successful real estate transaction … experience, friendship, knowledge, online presence, negotiating savvy. Don’t throw your money away … when you’re with us it’s simply Realtydollars2u!