No, there is no Multiple Listing Service (MLS) specifically for For Sale by Owner (FSBO) properties. The MLS is restricted to use by state-licensed REALTOR® members only. Non-realtors, including the general public, cannot directly access or list properties on the MLS. Only licensed REALTOR® members of a local MLS can add and manage property listings. 

Yes, listing your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is typically the most effective way to sell due to its extensive network of REALTORS® who represent home buyers. According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), homes listed through the MLS by REALTORS® generally achieve a higher net sale price compared to For Sale by Owner (FSBO) transactions. FSBO sales often result in lower prices due to limited market exposure.

Yes, a Flat Fee MLS Listing through Realmart appears identical to traditional listings on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). With this approach, you act as your own listing agent, while Realmart serves solely as a transactional broker. Your property is listed on the same MLS used by local REALTORS®, ensuring it looks no different from other listings. Buyer’s agents receive the same commission as they would for any MLS-listed property. By choosing a flat fee listing, you save at least half of the typical 5-6% total commission, significantly reducing your costs while maintaining full MLS exposure.

The location of your listing broker’s office has minimal impact on selling your home. Claims that a local office is essential are often a marketing tactic to secure your listing. Most buyers come from outside your neighborhood—often from another part of town, city, or even out of state. Even if a buyer lives nearby, the listing broker’s location is irrelevant to their decision. Buyers typically work with their own REALTOR® through the MLS, and over 98% of MLS sales involve a buyer’s agent distinct from the listing broker, avoiding dual representation due to potential conflicts of interest. Communication between the buyer’s agent and listing broker primarily occurs via phone or email for tasks like submitting offers, with in-person contact rarely required. A listing broker could be based in another city or state without affecting the sale process.

When you list your property with Realmart’s flat fee MLS service, you act as your own listing broker without paying a listing-side commission. To maximize the effectiveness of your listing, we strongly recommend removing all For Sale By Owner (FSBO) signs, flyers, website references, and other marketing materials as soon as your home is listed on the MLS. Continuing to market your home as FSBO can undermine your sale and cost you significantly. It’s also wise to keep the flat fee arrangement confidential, allowing buyers and agents to assume you’re paying the standard 5-6% commission.

Three Key Reasons to Remove All FSBO References:

1. FSBO Attracts Bargain Hunters: FSBO marketing often draws buyers looking for steep discounts, assuming you’re desperate to sell. This can lead to unreasonably low offers, reducing your sale price.

2. It Deters Buyer’s Agents: FSBO branding may cause local buyer’s agents to hesitate, fearing their commission isn’t secure. A flat fee MLS listing ensures buyer’s agents are paid the same commission as any other MLS listing, so removing FSBO references prevents confusion and encourages showings.

3. It Invites Solicitation from Listing Agents: Approximately 95% of realtors contacting you about your FSBO property aim to secure your listing at a full 5-6% commission for the same MLS exposure you already have. This undermines the cost-saving benefit of your flat fee listing.

By listing on the MLS, you gain access to thousands of buyer’s agents working to sell your home, leveling the playing field with traditionally listed properties. Buyer’s agents are fully protected with the standard commission offered through the MLS. Be cautious of local listing agents who contact you while your home is actively listed on the MLS, as soliciting your listing is unethical and may be illegal. If this occurs, report them to us immediately and file a complaint with NJAR (New Jersey Association of Realtors).

 

Your home should sell quickly when priced correctly.   On average, a home is sold within the first 3 months. Our flat fee listing is by default, 6 months, which is more than enough time for a buyer agent to sell it. 

As you know “PRICING” and “STAGING” are the most important factors for selling fast. Please review our site to learn more:

1) Pricing: http://wiki.realmart.com/pricing-your-home/

2) Staging: http://wiki.realmart.com/home-staging-tips/

Yes, to withdraw your listing, contact our office to request a withdrawal form. Complete and sign the form, and upon receipt, we will unconditionally remove your listing from the MLS. Be cautious of agents soliciting your listing while it’s active with us, as this is strictly prohibited by the Real Estate Commission. If an agent contacts you, collect their contact information and notify us immediately.

We offer a limited 100% money-back guarantee. If you decide to cancel and list with a full-commission broker, contact us first to explore a referral agreement. This option incurs no additional cost and may allow you to recover your flat fee at closing.

Yes, if you cancel within 30 days of placing your order, but before your listing is entered into the MLS, a $25 cancellation fee will be charged to cover credit card processing costs. For cancellations made more than 30 days after placing your order, but before the listing is activated, no refund is available; however, your order remains valid, allowing you to activate your listing at any time in the future. Once your listing is active in the MLS, the service is considered provided, and no refunds can be issued, though you may withdraw your listing at any time without additional fees. A $80 refund is available for returned Realtor lockboxes in good working condition, and yard signs are provided free of charge, with a $25 fee covering only packaging and shipping.

Listing your home with Realmart is fast and straightforward, with all listing forms and questionnaires completed online, and your property will be live on the MLS within one business day after signup. We provide live customer support from 9 AM to 9 PM EST, seven days a week, to assist with any questions about the listing process. Realmart is committed to delivering exceptional customer service. If you encounter any issues or feel we haven’t met your expectations, please contact our office, as we’re always here to assist.

All Realmart flat fee listings are eligible for a 100% money-back guarantee under specific conditions. If you choose not to act as your own listing broker, contact Realmart to connect with an experienced local agent. We will arrange a referral agreement with that agent, and upon closing the property with them, we will refund the flat fee you paid. This referral agreement incurs no additional commission costs for you.

With a flat fee listing, you act as your own listing agent for a one-time fee of $395, while Realmart serves as the transactional broker. The buyer’s agent typically receives a 2.5-3% commission. In contrast, a full-service listing involves complete representation by a listing agent for a 5-6% commission, split equally between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent.

Both listing types are featured on the MLS, and in nearly all cases, homes are sold through a buyer’s agent, as we rely on them to bring buyers. If you sell your home yourself while listed with Realmart’s flat fee service, you pay no commission. However, with a traditional full-service broker, you’ll still owe the full commission even if you find the buyer yourself.

• A Selling Agent is the Real Estate agency who actually sells the property. They are sometimes called Buyer’s Agents.
• The Listing Agent is the Real Estate agency who lists your home for sale in the MLS.

Yes, Realmart Realty has a network of over 300 agents across New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, serving as buyer’s agents. These agents receive the same 2.5-3% commission as offered for any other MLS listing. With a Realmart flat fee listing, you pay no listing commission, only the 2.5-3% commission to the buyer’s agent who facilitates the sale, regardless of which REALTOR® brings the buyer.

No, with a Realmart Flat Fee MLS listing, if you find a buyer for your home without a buyer’s agent as the procuring cause, you pay no commission. To avoid complications, confirm that the buyer is not working with any other buyer’s agent. The buyer must sign a statement indemnifying Realmart and you, the homeowner, against any claims if it’s later discovered they were represented by another agent.

We strongly recommend using a digital Realtor lockbox, which allows local realtors to access your home using an e-key. A lockbox is a secure metal container, typically placed on the front doorknob or gate, that holds your house key(s). Your MLS listing will indicate that if agents cannot reach you by phone, they may use the lockbox for showings. This ensures your home is accessible to buyer’s agents when you’re unavailable, maximizing exposure to potential buyers. Without a lockbox, agents must schedule appointments to meet you at the property, which could deter buyers with limited availability, potentially causing you to miss out on showings. Lockboxes are fully removable and under your control. Your Realmart listing agent will include showing instructions and a contact phone number in the MLS. If you opt not to use a lockbox, showings will typically be arranged by appointment only.

Yes, Realmart provides all necessary forms at no additional cost. When you list your home with our flat fee MLS service, all required forms are available online through our platform. In most cases, the buyer’s agent will prepare the purchase contract for you, simplifying the process.

Yes, you can make changes by submitting a change request online from Seller Tools.
Note: Some changes require an additional fee, most are free.

Your Realmart flat fee MLS listing will be distributed across numerous websites, depending on your location. Licensed REALTORS® can showcase MLS listings, including yours, on their private websites. It’s difficult to predict the exact number of sites your listing will appear on due to this widespread syndication. In addition to REALTOR®-owned sites, your listing may also be featured on major public real estate platforms such as REALTOR.com, Trulia, Zillow, Homes.com, Redfin, StreetEasy, and many others, maximizing your property’s exposure.

For privacy reasons, REALTOR.com and other public real estate websites typically do not display the homeowner’s contact information. The primary purpose of REALTOR.com is to connect home buyers with licensed REALTORS® for additional details and to arrange showings, not to facilitate direct contact with For Sale By Owner (FSBO) sellers, despite common misconceptions. In contrast, the MLS includes the seller’s contact details (name, phone number, and address) exclusively for REALTORS® to view and use for scheduling showings or other communications. At Realmart.com, our platform allows both buyers and REALTORS® to contact homeowners directly. Additionally, our customer service team promptly directs all inquiries to the homeowner to ensure seamless communication.

Realmart Realty’s experienced and qualified staff can review your initial purchase contract at no additional cost. If you require assistance with negotiations, contract reviews, or other aspects of the transaction, you can upgrade to our 1% Professional Service package. This upgrade provides comprehensive support, guiding you from negotiation through to closing.

Realmart has introduced this 1% professional agency plan due to high demands from sellers who are not 100% confident in representing themselves as a listing broker. This service provides a middle ground between flat fee MLS service and 5-6% commission full service listing plan. The details are listed below: 

$695 Flat Fee + 1% At Closing (Includes Legal Fee)

• Listing until sold with free rolling 1 year extensions
• Unlimited seller-hosted open houses (Agent hosted open houses available upon request)
• FREE 3D Photo and Floor Model (on-line open house 24 Hours a day)
• 365-day 9am-9pm live customer service with online appointment scheduling
• Free For Sale Sign Package (1 For Sale Sign + 4 Open House Signs)
• Realtor Digital Lockbox (Supra, Codebox or SentrilLock) where available
• Professional agent consultation on pricing, clean up, repair and staging ideas
• Full paperwork support and legal representation from contract review to closing (Save $1500 legal fees)
• Dedicated professional guidance/coaching on negotiation, inspection, appraisal issues etc.
• Total Cost: 3% (1% or $3000 (whichever is higher) to listing agent + 2% commission to a buyer agent)

100% Money Back Guarantee(see details)

The value of a full-service realtor depends on the services provided. A dedicated realtor who stages your home, advises on repairs and renovations to prepare it for sale, provides professional photography, and commits to hosting weekly open houses after listing is worth the 5-6% commission. These agents actively participate in every showing, working diligently to market and sell your property to buyers and their agents.

However, many realtors offer minimal services, simply placing a lockbox on your property and allowing buyer’s agents to conduct showings independently. They rarely host open houses themselves, often delegating to junior agents, and may have little direct involvement after listing your home on the MLS. Such limited services do not justify a 5-6% commission, making a flat fee MLS listing a more cost-effective option for many homeowners.