As a full service agent, I realize the value that I bring to my clients. I work HARD for my commissions and after the dealing is done and the transaction is closed, my clients can see the efforts that I have put forth and appreciate what I have done for them. In recent years, there has been an increase in Real Estate firms that specialize in FSBO’s (For Sale By Owner) by offering to list their home in the local MLS for a flat fee. Mr. and Mrs. FSBO list their home with an agency for a specified amount of time as with a traditional full service listing.
So, here’s where I’m going with this, if Mr. and Mrs. FSBO are only receiving a listing in the MLS and no other service from the Flat Fee MLS Firm, why are they treated just like a listing by a full service Realtor? In other words, if I am researching the MLS, and I see a FSBO assistance listing that has been on the market for an above average number of days, why can’t I call them? I would not hesitate to call a true FSBO! Yes, I realize that Mr. and Mrs. FSBO signed a contract with the Flat Fee MLS firm, so my question is, should it be that way? The Flat Fee MLS firm has already gotten their flat fee, all they are out is the time it took them to place the listing in the MLS. Oh, I know this is controversial! I can already envision the responses that may be made here. “That’s predatory marketing!” “Dirty sales tactic!” are a couple that come to mind. It is my opinion, that many sellers are lured by the commissions that they do not have to pay and don’t take into account all the work a full service agent does on there behalf. Work that now Mr. and Mrs. FSBO now have to do themselves.
So, to put all your minds at ease, I do not call FSBO’s listed in the MLS by the Flat Fee MLS firms. It is just puzzling to me why these agencies are provided the same level of protection as a full service Realtor when they provide so little service to the their clients.
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