When it comes time to sell your house, there is a lot to do. Prepare your home, price your home, market the home, deal with paperwork, emails, and banks. Some of the home-selling process can be easier with the help of a Chicago realtor. But, do you really need a listing agent? Or can you sell your property on your own? Or maybe something in between?
What is a Listing Agent?
Generally, when people think of a realtor, they think of the home-buying process. But there’s no home-buying process without homes for sale, and that’s where local real estate listing agents come in. While a buyer’s agent will work with potential home buyers to find them their new dream home, a listing agent helps clients sell their property. Listing agents understand the local real estate market to properly price the house, hold open houses and showings, and manage listings online and offline. They have connections and contacts to help sell your home faster and for the best price.
Having someone market your property for sale, negotiate with buyers, and understand the paperwork can mean less stress. While listing agents don’t get paid until your property is sold, their commission is around 2-3% of the final sale. For a $300,000 home, that’s around $9,000 to add to the selling your house budget. Listing agents can be a good option, but they are not a necessity. Sellers are able to sell their property without an agent, and thanks to technology, it can be easier than ever to get the “sold” sign in the yard.
Another Option: Flat Fee MLS
If using a listing agent is out of your budget, or you simply want full control over the real estate process, there are other options. Listing your property For Sale by Owner (FSBO) can be challenging, and flat fee MLS services make it easier.
Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a collection of localized databases. Chicago flat fee MLS includes the Midwest Real Estate Database or MRED, only accessible by licensed realtors. MRED includes properties in all of Chicagoland and covers Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. After a listing is on the MLS, the data is on Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, Google, and other common websites and apps.
Combining the FSBO concept with the ability to reach potential buyers across the internet can make selling your home without a listing agent easier than you may think. And you’ll save the commission fee from a traditional real estate listing.
Prello has a full team of Chicago realtors who can provide full listing services, or assist with MLS listings. Chicago flat fee MLS packages cost a lot less than a commission, and keep all the control in your hands. You’ll be able to determine your own listing price, and the content of the listing, and work around your schedule for showings and open houses. The team at Prello will take a backseat approach – offering advice, assistance with paperwork, and a la carte services such as photography.
Listing Agent or For Sale By Owner
The majority of homes sold in the United States are sold with the help of a listing agent. Over 80% of sellers enlisted the help of a realtor. FSBO listings can be especially appealing if you already have a buyer in mind, such as family or friends. If you have familiarity with the local real estate market, and the time to commit to marketing your property, FSBO might be the best way to sell your home.
The biggest benefit to using a Chicago flat fee MLS is the financial benefit. Not using a listing agent can keep thousands of dollars in your pocket. The biggest downside is having to do more of the work yourself. You may even want or need to hire a lawyer to assist with all the paperwork, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience reading legal jargon.
Prello Realty and FSBO
Many online flat fee MLS services simply input your data into the MLS system and then they’re done. Prello Realty remains in your corner throughout the entire selling process. Prello offers MLS listing packages designed to help you as much as you need with listing your home FSBO. Plus, our team is always here to answer your questions and offer advice. Selling your home can be complicated, but we aim to make it simple. Our MLS packages include:
- Basic: MLS Listing (MRED); Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.; Local Realtor sites like Redfin; 6 Month Listing Period; Standard Yard Sign
- Plus: MLS Listing (MRED); Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.; Local Realtor sites like Redfin; 6 Month Listing Period; Standard Yard Sign; Professional Photography
- Pro: MLS Listing (MRED); Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, etc.; Local Realtor sites like Redfin; 6 Month Listing Period; Standard Yard Sign; Professional Photography; Combination Lockbox; Showing Appointment Scheduling
Selling your house in the Chicago area does not require a listing agent. It just requires some motivation, preparation, hard work, and ideally, a professional Chicago realtor in your corner, even if they’re just there in the background. Connecting with Prello Realty for flat fee house listings is the smart choice for many sellers. We’ll be on hand to accept offers and counteroffers, and assist in negotiating and developing counteroffers. When you’re ready to sell your home, the team at Prello is ready to work with you whether you’re looking for a full-service listing agent, or some hands-off assistance navigating the MLS system. We even provide our flat fee listing clients with many tools and documents that a traditional listing agent would use to help you market your home. We have the reputation and experience to help you sell fast and for the most money.