Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any surprise/hidden fees?
No, we never charge hidden or surprise fees. We are committed to transparency and since we own the place, we get what we want. We NEVER keep payment information on file. You will NEVER be charged by us for something you did not request. All of our payments are done through encrypted processing making your information completely secure. We also never charge a fee that hasn’t been quoted and agreed to by you. If you change your mind just let us know, and we’ll hit the delete button. We will never obligate you to pay for any service unless it is something you want.
Are you a licensed real estate broker?
Yes and we belong to the National Association of Realtors. We just choose to do things differently. Rather than charge a full-service commission, we only charge you for the services you need and the fee is not based on the value of your home. All services cost what they cost and we don’t charge people more just because their home happens to be more expensive.
Are you the listing company or do you refer our listing to another agent?
We list our properties ourselves and do not refer any listings to other agents or 3rd Party companies like a lot of other Flat Fee companies do. If it’s in the state of Ohio, we handle it ourselves. If it’s outside Ohio, we won’t take the listing.
Can I ask you for advice?
NOOO. Just kidding. Of course! If you have any questions throughout the process, we will help you out. You can reach us any number of ways. Email, text, call—but for the fastest and most complete response, use the email address at the top of the FAQ sheet. Ask away!
Can I choose which MLS my listing will appear in?
To a certain extent, yes. We are required to enter properties in the MLS that is primary to your county. However, certain counties border two MLS systems. In those cases, you may choose your primary MLS during pre-listing. We will alert you if this happens. Also, you may choose to list your property in two MLS’s. If you want to double the exposure, this is a great option. Let us know if you want to know more.
Can I edit my listing myself when it goes live?
The MLS is only accessible by Realtors, so you won’t be able to edit your listing directly. We have a nifty website where you can get your changes made quickly and easily. Navigate to www.mlsupdates.com and enter the information you’d like changed. We will make your changes within 48 hours of receiving your request. We also offer a “rush” option for $20 if you’re in a big hurry. It’s like a fast pass—you skip to the front of the line.
Do you handle strange and unusual questions?
Yes. For a small fee, we will consult our exclusive magic 8-ball for the answers. It never fails.
Exactly how does a Flat Fee listing work?
Instead of charging clients 6-7% to list their home, we charge a flat fee for a select set of services. For example, if you have a $250,000 home and sell through a traditional agency, you would probably pay around $15-17,000 in commissions. We will help you with that same home, but only charge you $297-997 depending on which package you choose so you would save $14,000-16,700 with us.
Hold on, changes cost $20?
No, they do not. All changes to your listing are free forever! You can pay $20 to jump the queue and get your changes made faster. If you choose not to pay the fee, you may have to wait 24 to 48 hours for your changes to be processed, depending on the volume of requests.
How do I schedule Open Houses?
Open houses are the easiest way to get a buyer without an agent, which equals NO Commission. You can schedule an open house by visiting www.MLSUpdates.com. Select the “Open House” option and add your dates and times. We will process the information within 48 hours depending on queue times and you can request as many as you like.
How do I schedule Showings?
Scheduling showings can be a very stressful task. We highly recommend using ShowingTime and the companion My Home app. With ShowingTime, you choose how to receive requests for showings (phone, text, email or push notification), you see the complete contact details of the agent requesting the showing along with the date/time of the appointment. You can approve or decline the showing and even recommend a better time. Our system will not allow double booking so you never have to worry about that. You can add showings to your reminder calendar and even get notified when the showing is over if you like. Also, when the showing is over, our system will automatically request feedback for up to five days. Once we get feedback, it is automatically forwarded to you. There are a dozen other features, but it’s safe to say, this is something you really need. The alternative is like the difference between a jet airliner and a scooter. Yes…we are serious about that.
I don’t want to list until I’m ready. Is there a Coming Soon option?
There sure is! You can email us and let us know you’d like to wait a while before listing. We will send you additional paperwork required by the MLS so we can enter your listing as Coming Soon. This will not affect your listing time, meaning if you buy a 6 month listing, and wait a year to list, we will still list you for six months.