What is a Flat Fee Listing

A Flat Fee MLS listing is the modern way to sell your home. Listing with MySecretAgent, a top flat fee brokerage, gives sellers the advantage of saving thousands in commissions.  Flat Fee Listing Brokerage refers to the practice of a licensed real estate agent placing pertinent information about a property for sale on the MLS.   Every state requires a licensed agent to list a home on the MLS therefore giving traditional listing agents the upper hand. A flat fee brokerage will get you listed on the MLS without paying listing commission fees, saving on average of $12,000!

Not having to pay a listing commission can give a FSBO seller negotiation room in the listing price. This will create more traffic and leads in selling a home because it allows a seller to price better than their competition. In today’s market there are many advantages to listing with a flat fee brokerage. 

MySecretAgent, a Flat fee listing brokerage, will list a home the MLS giving sellers Internet exposure to local and national websites. Sellers have the option of receiving listing tools, like with a traditional agent, such as a keybox, CMA, directional signs etc.  Flat fee listing allows sellers to be in control of their listing. Besides, who knows a home better than the seller?

With a flat fee listing brokerage the seller is the primary contact to all real estate agents and potential buyers.  Sellers can make appointments to show there home based on their schedule and answer any question about their home.  Since owners know their home better than anyone else they will be able to answer questions, etc. In the result of an offer, the seller will negotiate with the buyer and/or the buyer’s real estate agent.  Not to worry, negations during this process seem scarier than it real is. When a seller does receive an offer please read our “What to do When I Receive An Offer” article, this will help organize the seller. 

Flat Fee Brokerage VS Traditional Listing Agent

Flat Fee Brokerage:

Listing your home with a flat fee brokerage, also known, as a discount brokerage is not much different than listing with a traditional agent.  Flat fee brokers will list your home on the MLS giving you the same internet exposure as a traditional agent. Most flat fee brokerages provide the same marketing tools as a traditional agent, all for a one time flat fee. Be cautious when comparing flat fee services, some of their less expansive packages will not include a listing on the local MLS, only on their website. All of MySecretAgent’s listing packages include a listing on the same MLS as traditional agents , giving you the same internet exposure. A traditional agent will do the same and not much more for 6%!  Using a flat fee listing broker the “for sale by owner” is in control of their listing 100% of the time. MySecretAgent allows all FSBO sellers to be in control of their listing 24 hours a day via an online account. They can change the price, photos, description, etc. at any time, handle showings by appointments, control access  and answer questions about the property. Who knows a home better than the owner? Is this work worth 6%? We at MySecretAgent don’t think so!  Any homeowner selling their own home can handle this with the help of listing on the MLS with MySecretAgent.com.

Traditional Listing Agent:

How many of you had agents promise they can sell your home better than the next? When they did get your listing you were not getting the result they promised. Yes, they may have a different approach to marketing within their network, but the main tool they use is the MLS. When a traditional agent, as well as a discount brokerage gains your listing they place it on the MLS. The MLS plays a huge role in both the flat free broker as well as the traditional agent’s network and marketing. 

A traditional agent’s main goal is to list your home on the MLS to expose your home to other agents and buyers, leading them to show your home and eventually buy it. If another agent brings a buyer, the 6% commission is split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent.  For example, on a $200,000 property  $12,000 is paid to both agents involved (6% commission), even if a buyer contacts you directly.

The listing agent will list your home on the MLS, place a yard sign in your front yard, host 1-2 open houses, and assist in the paperwork. Most sellers are capable and feel comfortable doing this on their own. State laws require a licensed agent to list a property on the MLS, therefore giving traditional agents the upper hand.  When analyzing the role of a traditional agent it is hard to justify paying thousands in commissions when you can get the same result listing with a flat fee broker such as MySecretAgent, a top discount broker.

MySecretAgent:

MySecretAgent.com, a top discount real estate brokerage, allows savvy home owners to sell their home without paying the 3% listing commission fee, maximizing local and national internet exposure through the MLS (State Accredited Multiple Listing Service), and stay in control of the home selling process. MySecretAgent.com provides the tools and customer service to FSBO sellers (For Sale By Owner) that will effectively sell a home and maximize the owner’s equity.

Check out the comparison chart showing the differences and similarities of a flat fee brokerage versus a traditional agent with one BIG difference: the amount you save with a flat fee broker is significant! 

Tips on Listing your Home By Owner

Selling your home on your own may seem daunting but with the right guidance you will be able to do it better than an agent! Below are a few tips on listing your home with MySecretAgent, a top flat fee brokerage.

• Exterior- Make sure your home has curb appeal. You only have one time to make a great first impression. Make sure the leaves are raked and gutters are clean.
• Interior- Stage each room to show off its features. De-clutter all rooms to make them appear larger. Here are more tips on staging rooms. 
• Price- Pricing your home right is key. If your home is priced right it will sell. To deterime the right price of your home call MySecretAgent for a free CMA (Comparative Market Analysis). 
• List- Once you made sure your home is ready to sell it is time to list with MySecretAgent. You can list in one easy step online. We offer 24 hour access to a secure online account that allows traditional home sellers and FSBO sellers to be in control of their listing. Our sellers may manage the price, photos, description, etc to their listing through our innovative website.
• MLS- One your home is listed on the MLS MySecretAgent will email your your MLS#. Being listed on the MLS will give you local and national Internet exposure allowing buyers and agents access to your listing. 

Should you have any questions on listing with MySecretAgent please email or call us.

Top 10 Reasons to List with MySecretAgent

Below is what sets us apart from other Real Estate Companies, Flat Fee Brokers, and For Sale By Owner Sites

#1 - Commission: My Secret Agent is a Flat Fee MLS Real Estate Brokerage and does not collect the customary 3% listing commission. Pay a ONE TIME flat fee to get your home on the MLS for local and national Internet exposure to all buyers and agents. Our discount MLS listing service and our discount real estate service will save homeowners thousands in real estate commissions.

#2 - Customer Service: We answer our phones and emails promptly, no phone maze! Our professional, licensed staff is ready to answer any real estate questions to make selling your own home easy. We have worked with Traditional home sellers and For Sale by Owner sellers (FSBO) for many years. We have a great reputation of being helpful and informative. Please call with any questions regarding our discount real estate service. Our customer service hours are Monday-Friday 9am-7pm.

#3 - Internet Exposure: Our Internet Exposure is not limited by price. Listing with MySecretAgent.com, a leading Flat Fee MLS Real Estate Brokerage, will give all sellers Local and National Internet exposure by utilizing the MLS and other major Real Estate sites. Don’t settle with other FSBO listing sites or flat fee brokerages that limit the exposure based on price. All our listings will be displayed on your local MLS, Realtor.com, and many more…

#4 - 24 Hour Listing Access: We offer 24 hour access to a secure online account that allows traditional home sellers and FSBO sellers to be in control of their listing. Our sellers may manage the price, photos, description, etc to their listing through our innovative website.

#5 - List Online: Home sellers can choose from our Flat Fee MLS service packages from above and list their home online in one easy step. Once the online listing is completed the documents are emailed instantly. Please see How To List My Home and How it Works for more information.

#6 - Turn-around Time: My Secret Agent will list your house on MLS within hours of receiving your signed documents. All new listings and changes take a few hours to propagate to all local and national real estate websites.

#7 - CMA (Comparative Market Analysis): Upon request, My Secret Agent will provide sellers a free CMA report. We give sellers all the tools to effectively price & sell their home. Other flat fee brokerages, FSBO MLS listing and FSBO listing sites, do not offer professional market analysis. Majority of for sale by owner listing sites do not offer a CMA, thus making it difficult for sellers to effectively price their home for the best result.

#8 - Post & Sign: My Secret Agent offers more than just a listing on the MLS. With our Extended and Full Packages we provide a custom sign and post. Our CUSTOM sign has the owner’s phone number and MLS# printed on directly! NOT with a marker! This provides consumer confidence that your home is listed professionally.

#9 - Tools: We offer the same tools that any traditional agent would in selling a home: Electronic MLS Key Boxes, All Documents, Signage, Flyers, CMA, Assistance from licensed MLS agents, and much more… Many for sale by owner listing sites do not provide these tools.

#10 - Knowledgeable Staff: My Secret Agent strives to serve For Sale by Owner and Traditional home sellers through knowledge, service, marketing and support. We look over all documents prior to listing your home on the MLS to ensure accuracy and the best outcome.

Tips on Holding a "For Sale By Owner" Open House

Open houses can be overwhelming when hosting them yourself. Traditionally, an agent will host them and report back to the seller with feedback. When holding a "For Sale By Owner" open house you are doing the work the agent would normally do. Besides, who knows a home better then you anyway?  With these easy steps you can host your own open house and hopefully find a buyer.

• Advertise- Open Houses are typically on Saturday and/or Sundays from 1-4PM. Advertise your open house on various websites such as Craigslist, Zillow and MLS. Another great avenue is making fliers stating an open house and placing them in a flier box outside your home. For your convenience, we have open house signs and directional signs available.  
• Competition- By now, you should know what homes are on the market and what your competition is. As a seller, you should know how your home is better that the rest. For example, price, size, upgrades, etc. You should this information to your advantage to up sell your home. Selling your home with a discounted real estate brokerage, such as MySecretAgent, you are saving 3% and possibly more (if the buyer is not using an agent) so you have more room to negotiate the selling price. Use this as a leverage against your competition. 
• Flier- It is important that potential buyers and buyer's agent leave with a flier in there hand. Leaving with a flier will remind them of your home and the features it has. This will keep the information fresh in the head.
• Stage- Stage your home to show off the features. For some simple steps please refer to our Home Selling Tips. 
• Follow Up-  Finally, ask for feedback. Ask what each buyer thought of your home and would they consider buying it. Have a feedback form available for buyers to fill it out. This way you will get direct, honest feedback.
  

Sample of MySecretAgent's FeedBack Form

Tips on Marketing Your Home

MySecretAgent is dedicated to provide information to help sell their home. Below you will find tips when listing your home. Read more for more information.

No Photos: Typically a seller should use at least 8-10 photos to showcase the property in the best possible way. If a listing has no, or to few, photos it may discourage a buyer to look any further. Remember- you only have one time to make a great first impression. Use photos that will highlight your property. The right advertising will help your home sell faster. 

Lack of Transaction Details: It is a good idea to identify the third party that is involved in the negotiation process.

Hyberbole: Claiming your property as "the best on the street" may be a little to outlandish of a statement and turn away buyers. Try to use description that will flatter your property without using such an overstated description.

Should you have any questions on how to price, market or list your home please contact our knowledgeable staff. 

Testimonials

MySecretAgent strives to serve our clients through superior knowledge, service and support. Our testimonials prove it! Should you have any questions listing your home please do not hestitae to call us at 1-800-915-9174 or email us. 

Happy Thanksgiving

From everyone at MySecretAgent, we hope everyone has a safe and filling Thanksgiving. This time of year is a great time to give back. Here is a list of food banks in Seattle to help out the less fortunate.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more…

It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

Author - Melody Beattie

Time to Winterize Your Home

Yes, it is that time of year already! Time to winterize your home for the winter season. Below are 10 simple steps in making sure your home is ready for the winter months. Hope these tips help you to stay warm. Happy Holidays from everyone at MySecretAgent! 

1. Clean Out Gutters- Clogged drains can form ice dams which water backs up, freezes and causes water to seep into the house. Making sure the gutters are cleaned out will help prevent this from happening. 
2. Block Leaks- One of the best ways to winterize your home is to block obvious leaks around your house, both inside and out.
3. Insulation- Add insulation to the existing insulation in the attic. This is an inexpensive project that you can do and reap the benefits in your heating bill!
4. Check the Furnace- Turn your furnace on, to make sure it's even working, before it is to late.
5. Check Your Ducts- Ducts aren't always easy to see, but you can often find them exposed in the attic, the basement and crawlspaces. Repair places where pipes are pinched, which impedes flow of heated air to the house, and fix gaps with a metal-back.
6. Windows- It is the time to take down the window screens and put up storm windows, which provide an extra layer of protection and warmth for the home.
7. Chimney-  Spring is the time to think about your chimney. That said, don't put off your chimney needs before using your fireplace. a chimney should at least be inspected before use each year
8. Reverse the Fan- Reversing its direction from the summer operation, the fan will push warm air downward and force it to recirculate, keeping you more comfortable.
9. Wrap the Pipes- Before freezing nights hit, make sure that the water to your hose bibs is shut off inside your house. Wrap them with pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation, available at hardware stores.
10. Finally, check those alarms- This is a great time to check the all alarms and change the batteries. Also, invest in a carbon-monoxide detector; every home should have at least one.

What Is A Flat Fee Brokerage

A Flat Fee listing is the modern way to sell your home. Listing with MySecretAgent, a flat fee brokerage, gives sellers the advantage of saving thousands in commissions.  Flat Fee Listing Brokerage refers to the practice of a licensed real estate agent placing pertinent information about a property for sale on the MLS.   Every state requires a licensed agent to list a home on the MLS therefore giving traditional agents the upper hand. A flat fee brokerage will get you listed on the MLS without paying listing commission fees, saving on average of $12,000!

Not having to pay a listing commission can give a seller negotiation room in the listing price. This will create more traffic and leads in selling a home because it allows a seller to price better than their competition. In today’s market there are many advantages to listing with a flat fee brokerage. 

MySecretAgent, a Flat fee listing brokerage, will list a home the MLS giving sellers Internet exposure to local and national websites. Sellers have the option of receiving listing tools, like with a traditional agent, such as a keybox, CMA, directional signs etc.  Flat fee listing allows sellers to be in control of their listing. Besides, who knows a home better than the seller?

With a flat fee listing brokerage the seller is the primary contact to all real estate agents and potential buyers.  Sellers can make appointments to show there home based on their schedule and answer any question about their home.  Since owners know their home better than anyone else they will be able to answer questions, etc. In the result of an offer, the seller will negotiate with the buyer and/or the buyer’s real estate agent.  Not to worry, negations during this process seem scarier than it real is. When a seller does receive an offer please read our “What to do When I Receive An Offer” article, this will help organize the seller. 

Officially Open in Oregon

MySecretAgent is pleased to announce that we are offering our services in Oregon. Homeowners in Oregon can take advantage of selling there home themselves and save thousands. We will list you on the local RMLS, the same MLS traditional agents use. The listing process is done online in one easy step. Call us for a FREE market anaysis today!

Updated Custom SIgn

MySecretAgent strives to give our clients the best possible product. A new trend is emerging and we are proud to announce that our custom signs now display a QR code to easily direct buyers directly to the seller. A QR code is a type of two dimensional barcode a smart-phone can scan that will directly lead someone to a particular webpage. Our QR code leads buyers to our Feature Page.

Why List Your Home During the Holidays

There are MANY benefits to listing your home during the Holidays.

The first and most important reason is less competition. Most people delay listing their property after the holiday season thus facing a much larger competition. Additionally, because there are fewer alternatives available to a buyer you are more likely to sell for a better price.

Serious buyers are looking. Buyers looking for homes in December often have an imperative reason behind their search and are more likely to purchase a home than those looking during the summer months.

Your home is ready to show. Homes often look the best during the holidays because it is already clean and decorated for holiday entertaining. As homeowners prepare for holiday parties and visiting friends and family it should be easier to get your home ready for a showing.

Quick closings. Buyers are more likely to close on a home before the New Year, as they want to claim the mortgage deduction on their tax return. As a homeowner you can use this fact to press a buyer into a quicker deal.

For more information please visit MySecretAgent.com

What Sets MySecretAgent Apart

MySecretAgent allows savvy homeowners to sell there home without paying a listing commission fee. We provide the tools to effectively sell your home and maximize your profit. See what sets MySecretAgent apart from other flat fee brokerages:

24 Hour Access: We allow a homeowner to be in control of their listing 24 hours a day. You can change the price, photos, description, etc any time. With our Full Package all changes are free.

List Online: We make it easy to list in ONE easy step. Once list you list online all documents are emailed to you automatically. Please look over our “ How To List My Home” article for more info on listing online.

Turn- around Time: MySecretAgent will list you by the next business day we receive signed documents.

Customer Service: We answer our phone calls! Our staff is available to answer any questions you should have. We have a great reputation in being helpful and informative. Our business hours are Monday- Friday 9am-7pm.

Knowledgeable Staff: MySecretAgent strives to serve our clients through superior knowledge, service and support. We look over all documents prior to listings on the MLS to ensure the best chances in selling your home with us.

Internet Exposure: Listing with MySecretAgent will give all sellers local and National Internet exposure. All listings will be displayed on Realtor.com and more.

Post & Sign: MySecretAgent does more than list you on the MLS. With our Extended and Full Packages we offer a custom sign and post. The post is installed by the next business day of receiving signed documents. Our CUSTOM sign has your phone number and MLS# printed directly on it!

Commission: MySecretAgent does not collect commission even if the buyer comes to us first. We ALWAYS send sellers any leads without any hesitation.

Leads: If a buyer and/or agent come to MySecretAgent first we ALWAYS send the seller the leads. We feature ALL listings on our website with the sellers email and phone number.

CMA: Upon request, MySecretAgent will send sellers a free report on the recent activity in their neighborhood. We give sellers all the tools to effectively sell their home.

Tools: We offer the same tools any traditional agent would offer in selling a home. You many choose as many tools you feel will help sell your home.

MLS: Your property will be listed on the local MLS allowing access to all licensed agents. The property will propagate to local and national websites for extra Internet exposure.

Documents: Upon request, MySecretAgent offers a purchase and sales contract in case the buyer does not have one.

Effective: MySecretAgent makes listing your home as effective as possible- from the 24 hour access to your account, listing tools and knowledgeable staff. We are dedicated to offer professional services to help you sell your home, but most importantly maximize your profit.

We at MySecretAgent.com strive to serve our clients through superior knowledge, service and support. Whether you are already a client, or you are a homeowner who is interested in our services, we are here to answer any questions via phone or Email.

Compare Real Estate Services

Our Full $495 Package offers you the same services, that a full commission agent would offer for the fraction of the cost! Compare our package to see what is best for you.

Discover why thousands of sellers are choosing flat fee Multiple Listing Service. Even if you decide to use ALL the additional listing tools MySecretAgent offers, your total cost to list your home will be less then $1200 including the $495 listing fee and NOT the traditional 6%!

Top 10 Project Paybacks

Top 10 Project Paybacks

Once again, exterior remodeling projects lead the way for recovery on dollars spent in this year’s Cost vs. Value survey. When you compare the national averages, replacement projects that boost curb appeal—siding, windows, and decks—give you the greatest chance of recouping your money. Inside, only kitchen remodels can compare, at least on a national level.

1. Upscale fiber cement siding (86.7%)

2. Midrange wood deck (81.8%)

3. Midrange vinyl siding (80.7%)

4. Upscale foam-backed vinyl (80.4%)

5. Midrange minor kitchen remodel (79.5%)

6. Upscale vinyl window replacement (79.2%)

7. Midrange wood window replacement (77.7%)

8. Midrange vinyl window replacement (77.2%)

9. Upscale wood window replacement (76.5%

10. Midrange major kitchen remodel (76.0%)

Can I Successfully Sell My Home Using MySecretAgent?

YES, you can successfully sell your home with MySecretAgent. When listing with MySecretAgent a lot of the success has to do with the seller. MySecretAgent provides the tools to sell your home effectively but it is up to the seller on taking the tools to effectively sell their home.

Some tips on successfully selling your home are:

Pricing Your Home: The first and most important tip is pricing your home right the first time. If you price your home right for the condition and location it is in you will have better chances in selling your home faster.

Photos: You only have one time to make a great first impression. This is evident in your listing photos. Make sure the photos showcase your home in the best possible way.

Sellers have a HUGE advantage listing with MySecretAgent as they have more room to negotiate because they are NOT responsible for a listing commission!

Compare Real Estate Services

Our Full Package offers you the same services that a full commission agent would offer for the fraction of the price!

Discover why thousands of sellers are choosing flat fee Multiple Listing Service- MLS- exposure, but still retain the right to sell their home on their own. Even if you decide to use all the additional listing tools, your total cost to list your home will be less than using a traditional agent.