Orange County Information Center - Home Selling

What should I look for when choosing a flat-fee real estate agent?

Of course, cost will always be an important factor, but it shouldn’t be the only factor you consider when choosing a flat-fee agent. It is equally important to find out exactly what is included in the flat-fee service you purchase.

Some companies will advertise a very low flat fee to get you to buy a service from them. But be careful! If the fee looks too good to be true, it probably is. You may pay a low flat fee upfront, but find that you end up paying a lot more in the end because you have to pay separately for each of the additional services you need to sell your home. Moreover, many companies do not tell you upfront which services you will need to sell your home.

For example, some companies will charge a low flat fee just to list your property for sale on their website. This fee doesn’t include listing your property for sale in the Multiple Listing Service. But most agents go to the MLS to find a home to show to their buyers, not a website that only has For Sale by Owner listings. You should therefore make sure that any service you purchase includes a listing in the Multiple Listing Service.

When you purchase a service package from O.C. Real Estate Advisors, your home is always listed in the Multiple Listing Service.

Some companies will also charge a low flat fee because they don’t allow you to contact a licensed real estate advisor if you have any questions about the home sale process. Instead, they just advertise your property for sale and the rest is up to you to figure out.

The home sale process can be complicated and quite confusing at times. We therefore recommend that you purchase a service that includes access to a licensed real estate advisor.

When you purchase a service package from O.C. Real Estate Advisors, you will be assigned a licensed California real estate advisor who is there to answer all of your questions and guide you through each step in the home sale process.

Some companies will charge a low flat fee because their service does not include the disclosures all sellers are legally required to give to anyone who purchases their home. As a home seller in California, you are legally required to give at least 6 separate disclosures to the buyer.

When you purchase a service package from O.C. Real Estate Advisors, you will receive the disclosure forms created, and approved, by the California Association of Realtors®. Because the forms can be complex and somewhat difficult to understand, you will also have access to a licensed real estate advisor who can help you complete the forms.

Warmest Regards,

Peta Carley
Orange County Real Estate Advisor

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