Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q: How does the ListMyWay.com system work?

A: Based upon how involved you want to be in the sales process, you decide the level of service you need.  If you show your home to the buyer, you save the commission and pay only the $500 listing fee.  If you don’t have the time to show your home, we can show it and if we’re successful in securing a buyer you’ll pay us a commission of 1% of the sales price.  Even if you show your home to the buyer, you may find that you want or need us to be handling all the details of the transaction.  We can take care of everything for a small additional fee of $1495.  Through the MLS you will also offer a cooperating commission to other agents who show your home to their buyers, thereby enlisting an army of real estate agents to help sell your property.  You’ll get massive exposure and still save thousands.       

Q: What are some advantages using ListMyWay.com and Revolution Real Estate Services?

A: 1) You choose how much help you need and what you pay. 2) You can use the commission dollars you save to offer incentives to the buyer. We have the expertise to show you and your buyer how to best use those dollars.

Q: If I have to do some of the work myself, why wouldn’t I just sell as a For-Sale-By-Owner?

A: A single advertisement in the Sunday paper can cost as much as our listing fee.  By listing with us and offering the minimum agent cooperating fee to enter the MLS, far more buyers searching the MLS and REALTOR.com will see your home advertised.  In addition, if you get overwhelmed by the process, you can get help, often at no additional cost.

Q: Why should I offer a cooperating fee to agents?

A: In order to get the huge advertising exposure of the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS), you must offer compensation to cooperating agents.  By including your property in MLS, millions of potential buyers, searching through thousands of linked sites, will see your listing.  In addition, over 80% of listings are sold by an agent other than the listing agent. This increase in exposure improves the opportunity for you to sell faster and at a higher price.

Q: How long is the time period of your listing contract?

A: Our listing agreements typically are written for a term of six months or less.  However you may cancel at any time with 48 hours notice.

Q: What happens when someone wants to buy my property?

A: They should call your Revolution Real Estate Services agent to discuss terms and conditions and prepare an offer to purchase.  We call you to present the offer, help you with negotiations, and guide you and the buyer through the process of closing.

Q: How will I know if the buyers of my property can afford it?

A: Revolution Real Estate Services offers the first property marketing system with a unique focus on leveraging current financing programs to help sell real estate.  By training our agents in the fundamentals of mortgage finance, they are in the position to qualify prospects before they enter your home.

Q: How will I know what happens at showings on my property?

A: We use an automatic feedback request system, Homefeedback.com,
http://www.homefeedback.us/downloads/hfb_list_pres.pdf, to follow up with agents who show your property.  You are notified of each request and will receive the feedback responses directly from the source.  The system also tracks and presents reports to show patterns to help identify measures we can take to better position your property to sell.        

Q: Can I really sell my home for only $500?

A: Yes.  If you show your property yourself, we’ll help your buyers with the paperwork and provide guidance though the inspections, financing and closing process at no additional charge.  In the event you find that you need more help and representation, you may purchase transaction administration services for a very reasonable $1,495 fee.  Some sellers feel more comfortable having a professional handle all the details.

Q: How do I know other real estate agents will show my property to their buyers?

A: In order to place your property on many local Multiple Listing Systems (MLS), you must offer compensation to cooperating and buyer agents.  You may offer as little as one dollar ($1.00).  Although it is against Article I of the REALTOR Code of Ethics, some agents might not want to show your property unless you offer a competitive incentive.  We advise our clients to offer a commission percentage or flat fee that will entice agents to actively show your property.     

Q: How can I know at what price should I list my property?

A: We will search similar recently sold properties as well as competing for-sale properties and show you how to make adjustments for differences to arrive at a fair market price.  You can also hire a licensed appraiser to provide a professional, unbiased report which you can present to potential buyers to show how you priced your home.

Q: Does Revolution Real Estate Services advertise my property in the local papers and real estate magazines?

A: From time to time we will advertise in print media.  If you want to purchase print ads to augment your marketing program, we will help you with writing and placing the ads at the cost of the advertisement.  However, print advertising is very expensive and relatively ineffective in selling your property.  Traditional agents advertise to appease their sellers, justify higher commissions, advertise their own businesses, and attract buyers in general.

Q: Is the ListMyWay.com system a “Discount Brokerage”?

A: No. We are a “Fee for Service” company.  We have broken down the various components of real estate brokerage into parts.  You select the services you want or need and pay for those services only.  We also strive to eliminate the time wasting activities in the process by encouraging buyers to view properties on the web and drive by before they enter your home.  We encourage you to hold your own “Open House” on days when you don’t mind being home anyway.  We provide you the tools to stage a successful open house. 

Q: What about Open Houses?  Do they work?

A: Most agents, if they’re being honest with you, will tell you that very few homes (2-3%) sell as a result of open houses.  Most agents dislike sitting in your home on a beautiful weekend rather than being with their family, but they do it to appease sellers and to gather buyer leads.  Many truly successful agents simply will not do them unless there are extenuating circumstances such as a duress sale or they’re about to loose your listing to the competition.  Agents also deserve to be compensated for their time sitting in your home and that’s part of the justification for charging higher commissions.

We have found, however, that there may be a unique dynamic at play when a homeowner conducts an open house.  It may be that the buyer is more at ease without a salesperson present.  It may be that the homeowner is able to project a warmth and appreciation for the home that cannot be conveyed by an agent.  Agents who help sellers conduct their own open houses have reported that upwards of 50% of sales were through this marketing strategy.  If you’re going to be home doing yard work or simply enjoying the weekend, why not be available for an occasional tour.  It certainly can’t hurt.

Q: If I list with the ListMyWay.com system and then decide it’s not for me, can I cancel my agreement and list with a traditional agency?

A: Yes.  We feel we have a great offer, but if you’re not convinced of that, we’ll set you free.  With 48 hours notice you may cancel the listing agreement.  Not only that, but we will refer you to any number of independent agents in our Agent Network.  We know who’s who in the local markets and we are in a position to link you with the best.                    

Q: How can you market my property for such a low fee and still be profitable?

A: It’s real simple: we don’t waste a lot of time and money conducting low return marketing tasks such as driving buyers around, conducting open houses, and advertising in magazines and newspapers.  We also use the latest technology to streamline as many tasks as practical.

Q: Do you provide yard signs?

A: Yes.  Our professionally designed yard signs are made to look just like other real estate for sale signs.  However, we understate our logo and image and clearly state that this is a property “FOR SALE”.  There’s no indication that you are paying less for your service than any other listing and that there might be more “wiggle-room” in negotiations.

Q: How soon after signing a listing agreement will my home be seen in the Multiple Listing Service and REALTOR.com?

A: Local MLS rules require that your listing be submitted within 48 hours after a listing agreement is executed.  Sometimes photos take about a day longer to completely load.