Fee for service real estate, exploring in depth
Flat fee broker services allow real estate customers to save hundreds, even thousands of dollars on real estate commissions that they can apply toward their new homes instead. Sellers sign up with a flat fee agency for, as the name implies, a flat fee, that is paid upfront. The agency then assigns to the transaction a broker who assumes responsibility for uploading the listing to local and national websites and acting as contact point for contract negotiations or other occasions in which professional representation is needed. Seller clients are allowed to display a For Sale By Owner sign and show their homes to potential buyers but, if the eventual buyer is represented by a full service broker, they are still responsible for paying the commission. Another way to obtain a real estate commission discount is to engage a brokerage that offers time accountable, hourly real estate services.