It is not uncommon for a FSBO client to decide they do not have the time, energy, or resources to take on all the responsibilities associated with selling a property themselves. Or a FSBO buyer finds a property they want to purchase but the property is listed by a realtor listing agent. In both of these cases FSBO Midwest can step in at a discounted commission structure and offer full services brokerage services. Below is a comparison of Traditional Commissions, vs. FSBO Midwest Discounted Full Service Commissions. We can represent you as a seller, or a buyer. The discounted commission rate applies in each instance. If you are a seller and have decided the best thing to do is list your property on the Multiple Listing Service (the system that real estate agents use) then contact us and let FSBO Midwest listing your property as a discounted full service MLS listing. If you are a buyer and find a property you wish to purchase, but the property is listed with a full service commissioned listing agent, then contact FSBO Midwest and we will represent you as a buyer agent and you then have the benefit of being represented by a licensed real estate agent and attorney at a discount of 1.05% from the traditional 3% buyer broker commission. This is a savings of $1,050.00 per $100,000.00 in sale price. The savings is credited back to you at closing.
Traditional Commission Structure
(3% Buyer Broker, 3% Listing Broker)
| $100,000 | 6% | $6,000 |
| $200,000 | 6% | $12,000 |
| $300,000 | 6% | $18,000 |
| $400,000 | 6% | $24,000 |
| $500,000 | 6% | $30,000 |
| $600,000 | 6% | $36,000 |
| $700,000 | 6% | $42,000 |
| $800,000 | 6% | $48,000 |
| $900,000 | 6% | $54,000 |
| $1,000,000 | 6% | $60,000 |
Discounted Full Service Commissions Structure
(2% Buyer Broker, 1.95% Listing Broker)
| $100,000 | 3.95% | $3,950.00 |
| $200,000 | 3.95% | $7,900.00 |
| $300,000 | 3.95% | $11,850.00 |
| $400,000 | 3.95% | $15,800.00 |
| $500,000 | 3.95% | $19,750.00 |
| $600,000 | 3.95% | $23,700.00 |
| $700,000 | 3.95% | $27,650.00 |
| $800,000 | 3.95% | $31,600.00 |
| $900,000 | 3.95% | $35,500.00 |
| $1,000,000 | 3.95% | $39,500.00 |
As the above commission schedule indicates, a traditional full-service MLS listing involves a commission of 3% to the listing agent, and 3% to the buyer agent, for a total of 6% of the sale price. A discounted full service listing commission (through our office) is calculated as 1.95% to the listing agent and 2.0% to the buyer agent. The importance of the discounted commission rate is:
- Increases net proceeds to the seller.
- Decreases net proceeds needed from buyer for purchase.
- Allows the property to be listed for a lower sale price making the price of the property more attractive to potential buyers when compared to other properties that have a higher sale price to cover a full 6% commission.
- Allows seller to provide more seller concessions – paying for repairs, paying for buyers closing costs, which makes the transaction more appealing to potential buyers.
- Provides seller some wiggle room to decrease sale price from the original listed sale price and net the same amount of proceeds while at the same time giving the impression that the seller is lowering the sale price – which buyers and buyer agents always love to see.
As a real estate brokerage, we can list properties for sale on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This is a website that realtors, appraisers, and other real estate professionals use that costs approximately $1,000.00 - $1,500.00 per year to have access to. With the press of a button, your property is made available to over 7,000 real estate agents. When the property is entered into the MLS system (listing) the information on the property and pictures propagate to Zillow.com, Realtor.com, Trulia.com, Homes.com, and Redfin.com. As a result of propagation, the listing information and pictures of the property provided by the agent in the MLS is made available to non-agent buyers that do not have access to the MLS system but can access the pictures and property information through these other websites. MLS listings provide the most comprehensive supply of buyers and buyers agents.
A realtor listing property on the MLS (listing agent) is typically considered a FULL-SERVICE LISTING. This means the listing agent takes responsibility for every aspect of the sale from taking pictures, to showing the property to interested non-represented buyers, accepting and discussing offers with the seller, assisting through inspections, and otherwise working with the seller through closing. It is possible for a listing agent to also represent the buyer if the buyer is otherwise unrepresented.
In that case the listing agent becomes a Transaction Agent, or Disclosed Dual Agent, and in this capacity does not advocate for the individual interests of either the buyer or seller. The agent’s responsibility is to do the paperwork only and answer whatever questions the buyer and seller may have. Transaction Agency or Disclosed Dual Agency is not something to be recommended because you pay all the fees of a full-service listing, but do not end up being represented at all. It is highly encouraged that you have a selling agent and buying agent involved in every sale with each agent advocating the individual interests of their client. This is going to provide the best representation to both the seller and buyer and result in the best overall outcome. Agents love to represent both the buyer and seller because they get double the commission. Do not let it happen. Have your own agent!
Typically, the property is listed by a real estate agent (listing agent), a buyer finds the property online, the buyer then calls a real estate agent (buyer’s agent) to gain access to the property if listed on the MLS. It is possible to get your property listed on the MLS for a minimal fee (limited service listing) wherein a real estate agent enters the property information into the MLS and it is up to the seller to take pictures and show their own property. The realtor only does the paperwork. Although this may appear on the surface to give most of the advantages of having a real estate agent without the cost, it is not something that our office does (limited service listings) and not something that should be encouraged.
Let us list your property on the MLS as a FULL-SERVICE DISCOUNTED LISTING or represent you as a BUYER AGENT AT A DISCOUNTED COMMISSION. You will get the benefit of a FULL-SERVICE LISTING or buyer representation at a discount and avoid overpaying commissions. In both instances you get the benefit of having an agent AND attorney to represent you.