What to Ask the Flat Fee Real Estate Services Before Hiring Them

Do you want to save your commission fee? Now you might be wondering – why would any realtor not ask for their money? But it is actually possible. There are so many flat fee real estate services that take a minimal charge instead of the commission.

But why are they doing this? Because they focus on volume over high individual commissions (in simpler words, these services charge a fixed amount, regardless of the property’s sale price). However, some services can fool you into using this scheme and charge more than usual.

Scared? Don’t worry because we have a list of eight questions that you can ask to save yourself from such fraud.

8 Questions to Ask Flat Fee Real Estate Services Before Hiring Them

1. What Exactly Does Your Flat Fee Cover?

This should be your first question. These services often vary in what they include. For instance:

Basic Plans

These may only include a Multiple Listing Service (MLS listing).

Comprehensive Plans

These plans might feature:

1. Marketing support
2. Buyer lead forwarding
3. Transaction coordination

Ask for a detailed breakdown of their services to find and understand if their offerings align with your needs.

2. Are There Any Hidden Fees?

Some flat-fee real estate services have hidden fees that can inflate your expenses. It basically kills the purpose of opting for this service, which is to save money.

Ask questions about additional charges for listing updates or extensions, fees for canceling the listing, and extra costs for consultations or closing support. Transparency about fees helps you budget effectively and avoid unpleasant financial surprises.

3. How Long Will My Property Be Listed?

Most of these services include a specific listing duration, usually ranging from 3 months to a year. Knowing the timeframe is beneficial, especially if your property takes longer to sell than expected. Ask them:

1. Can I renew the listing if it expires?
2. Are there additional costs for extending the listing?

After getting answers for these, choose the flat fee real estate services that offer flexibility, so you’re not forced to relist or pay extra down the line.

4. Will You Assist with Pricing My Property?

While agents typically provide a comparative market analysis (CMA) to help you determine a competitive price, not all flat fee realtors include this. Ask whether they offer pricing tools or CMAs and if they provide expert advice on setting the right price.

What if they don’t provide it?

In that case, consider hiring an appraiser or doing extensive market research to avoid overpricing or undervaluing your home.

5. Do You Provide Marketing Support?

An MLS listing is a great start, but additional marketing can help attract more buyers. Some flat-fee real estate services offer this, while others expect you to handle it yourself. Here’s what to inquire about:

• Do you offer professional photography or videography?
• Will my property be advertised on platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, or social media?
• Do you assist with creating a compelling property description?
Marketing can significantly impact how quickly your property sells and the offers you receive.

6. What Happens When a Buyer Makes an Offer?

Handling offers and negotiations is where these services differ from realtors. Some services leave all the communication and negotiations to you, while others provide support. To understand their process, you should ask:

• Will you help review offers and provide guidance?
• Do you assist with counteroffers or contingencies?
• Are there any additional costs for negotiation support?

If negotiations aren’t included, be prepared to manage this independently or hire a real estate attorney.

7. Is There Customer Support?

Selling a home can be stressful, and having reliable support makes a huge difference. Before hiring flat fee real estate services, clarify their level of customer support. You can ask:

• Is support available during evenings or weekends?
• How can I reach your team—via phone, email, or chat?
• Will I have a dedicated point of contact?

Choose a service that offers prompt and accessible support so you’re never left in the dark during the selling process.

8. What Is Your Refund or Cancellation Policy?

Understanding the refund or cancellation policy will help you if you decide not to sell or switch services. Ask these questions:

• Will I get a full or partial refund if I cancel?
• Are there any conditions for refunds?
• How long does the refund process take?

Hire the services with a fair and flexible policy, so you’re not locked into a contract that no longer works for you.

Wrap Up!

Flat-fee real estate services offer an alternative to commission-based selling. However, some services may attempt to deceive clients who are unaware that these realtors do not take commissions. It is important to be aware of these tactics and to ask the right questions.

This way, you can avoid falling victim to misleading claims made in the name of policies or other pretenses. Always choose a provider that makes your home-selling process as smooth and profitable as possible, like Flat Fee Real Estate services.