What is the MLS?
MLS stands for Multiple Listing Service, a search website that nearly all
Realtors use to find homes for their customers. The general public can also search homes listed on MLS (see "Public MLS"
link below). Most of the information feeds into other websites such as Realtor.com, Zillow, Yahoo, Google, etc. MLS has been
around a long time and is used across the country and beyond. It is by far the best real estate marketing tool available.
We belong
to MFR MLS which covers 22 counties. You can see them by clicking the "Public MLS" link at the bottom of this page.
This is the public website where anyone can search for homes. Once listed, your home will be on this too! (A list is
also at the bottom of this page).
What areas do you serve?
Although we're licensed to sell real estate throughout Florida
our MLS input is MFRMLS. We can certainly list a home anywhere in Florida but we limit providing a for sale sign and
taking pictures for you to Sarasota and Charlotte counties at this time. If you can provide us with pictures we'd be
happy to input your listing. All listings in Sarasota and Charlotte county will be listed on our website as well under the
"Our Listings" link on the left.
How does this flat fee listing work?
It's rather simple really.
You sign a listing agreement with us for up to 12 months. You pay Sun Realty $399 and we input the listing
into MLS including property description, pictures and all other vital information. Your listing will look like any other MLS
listing (see a sample in the "Our Listings" section by clicking any picture of a home). We can take pictures
for you or you may provide them to us. Once inputted your home will be "on the market" immediately. You may cancel
anytime but of course the fee in non-refundable. If your home does not sell within 12 months we can extend it for an additional
6 months at no charge.
Who takes care of showings from other Realtors??
We do. Each Realtor is required to use the "Showing Request" button that will instruct them
how to show your property. This is a great tool to help us keep a record of every Realtor that wants to show your home
and also an easy way for them to provide feedback.
What is the seller required to do?
You, the seller, will be required to speak with a Realtor that wants to make an offer on your
home and handle all offer negotiations, etc. Once you accept an offer the Realtor will contact you for access for inspections,
appraisal and other items that the buyer will want.
How will a Realtor gain access to my home?
There are several ways this can happen. We can provide an electronic lock-box with a key they
can use or you can provide a combination lockbox. The lockbox code can be written in the "Showing Request" area
so a Realtor won't need to contact you for the code. You can also stipulate that the owners must be present for all showings
but this is not recommended because it will limit the times a Realtor can show your property. You want to make it as convenient
as possible for them to bring a buyer to view your home.
Electronic lock boxes are
available in Charlotte and Sarasota county only. If not in Sarasota or Charlotte county you must use a combo lock-box.
What are the rules regarding how much commission I must offer?
There are no rules regarding commission, no "required" amount you must pay. Many listings offer 3%-4%
to the selling broker. What you choose to offer is up to you. Remember, you must offer something to a selling broker in order
to be on MLS. For homes priced under $30,000 we recommend offering a minimum of $1000 to the selling broker.
Can you help us price our home correctly?
Yes.
With
the MLS Listing Input can you look over an offer if we don't understand all of the terms?
No, we cannot offer to look over a contract and advise you on anything. In doing so we would be practicing
law without a license because Sun Realty would not be a party to the contract. You would need to hire us as a full service
listing broker for us to legally read a contract.
Can I change my listing to full service and
have you handle everything?
Yes, you can change to a full
service listing at any time. You would pay Sun Realty the commission you agreed to pay any broker in the listing
agreement minus the $399 you already paid for the limited input service.
Do you offer flat
fee MLS input for rentals?
Yes, but we do not handle anything regarding leases, tenants,
etc. We are not a property management company and do not offer full service for rental properties. As with selling a home
on MLS you are required to offer compensation to a real estate broker as a referral fee. Some fees are as low as $50
or as high as equal to one month of rent. What you offer a Realtor to bring you a rental referral is up to you.
Why do you mention paying the real estate broker? Don't we pay the agent?
No, by law a real estate agent cannot be paid directly by a seller. All commission is paid to the broker and
they disburse the commission to their agent. All of the money will be disbursed by the Title Company that closes your deal
including the real estate commission so you won't need to "physically" write a check. The flat fee you pay for our
MLS input service is paid to our broker, Sun Realty and you'll need to write a check for that!!!
How will I be able to provide all of the amenities our home offers so you can put them on MLS?
We have a four page form we'll email you to fill out. It lists everything about your home so a
potential buyer will have a clear picture before actually viewing. You also have final say about "public comments",
the section of the MLS sheet that describes your home. You will have the option to make changes to the description, price
changes, etc throughout the term of your listing. You will need to provide any changes to us in writing; email will do
just fine for this.
If you're not comfortable
handling your real estate transaction yourself using our Listing Input service then by all means we'd be more than happy to
be a full service brokerage for you. In fact it's possible we can still save you some money. If we bring a buyer and have
what is known as "both sides of the deal" we charge 4% commission. We adhere to the Realtor Code of Ethics in all
transactions.
