What’s the Best Day to Publish Listings on MLS?
While there isn’t any definitive answer for the best day to list, some studies have shown that Thursday could be the most effective day to post listings.
By posting on Thursday, the listing will go live on Friday (and send out notifications), which then gives potential buyers the opportunity to come and see the home over the weekend. However, if you can’t list on Thursday, it doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily see less interest; you just may not receive offers as quickly.
Why Would I Want My Property Listed in the MLS?
90% to 95% of properties sold in the United states are sold by real estate agents. The only way to assure those agents that they would be compensated if they bring you a buyer (or tenant) is through the MLS, as the MLS listing is a contract for cooperation. With such a large number of listings in the MLS, agents litteraly do not have the time to look elsewhere and negotiate compensation with individual sellers before suggesting properties to their clients.
How Can I Extend My MLS Listing?
All of our agreements are set to a 12-month term (as every listing must have an end date), but we’re more than happy to extend listings for our clients whenever necessary.
Clients just need to send us an email letting us know that the listing is about to expire, and we’ll extend the listing for you to ensure it remains active as long as necessary.
When Should the ‘For Sale’ Yard Sign Come Down?
When the sale on the property closes. Any sooner could invite problems, as deals do sometimes fall through before they can be closed (i.e., during due diligence, .)
What Does Contingent Mean When Selling a Home?
Contingent means that a property contract has been signed, and the buyer of the home now has the opportunity to perform due diligence (i.e., home inspections, check the title, etc.).
In some cases, this is also required in order for the buyer to obtain financing from a financial lender.
Will My Phone Number or Email Be Displayed on MLS or Other Websites?
Yes, your phone number and email address will be displayed in Broker Remarks, as well as in Showing Time for agents to contact you directly.
Those are “private” remarks; only agents see them, they’re not displayed on public websites. 3rd party websites (i.e., Zillow, Realtor,com, etc.), are legally required to display the Listing Broker contact information (ours).
Reeve provides interested buyers with your contact information automatically for text and email inquiries, and then “live transfers” the call to your phone number. It’s like magic.
Can a Messy House Hurt Your Home Appraisal or Value?
For an appraisal, no. This won’t have any impact on your estimate.
For your home value, absolutely. This can detract from your home value.
Who Pays the Closing Costs When Selling a House by Owner?
Typically, these costs are negotiated ahead of time between the buyer and seller, and these terms are laid out clearly in the contract.
To get an idea of what the costs might look like for your property, consider checking out our [Net Sheet Calculator], which can help estimate what the closing costs of your home will be.
Can a Seller Back Out of a Contingent Offer?
You would need to check with your legal council to get an accurate answer for this question. Agents are not allowed to provide any form of legal counsel or advice.
Offers are a form of contract, so if you wish to back out of the contract, you need to ensure that you meet all the requirements listed in the contract for cancellation, and that you don’t violate any terms of the contract in the process of stopping the sale.
Does Earnest Money Deposits Go Towards the Down Payment or Closing Costs?
It can be used for either, depending on the terms listed in the contract that’s negotiated between the buyer and seller.
What is an Appraisal When Selling a House?
This is when an appraiser is hired to come and look at the property, the state of the home, as well as comparable homes in the area, in order to make an estimate on the value of the property.
For more information, we’d recommend talking to an appraiser, who can provide more detailed information about the types of services they provide.
How Do I Host an Open House Without a Realtor?
HelloReeve can actually help prepare you for an open house. Our platform will help with an announcement, and you just need to focus on the on-site hosting. We’d recommend hosting on Saturdays, based on the listing on Thursday timelines we discussed before.
The snacks are completely up to you.
How Do I Vet a Buyer When Selling Without a Realtor?
The best way to vet buyers is to ensure that you either have proof of funds from their bank (i.e., a bank statement, etc.), or if they’re getting a mortgage to purchase the home, you’ll want to see a pre-approval letter from their lender.
What are Earnest Money Deposits in Real Estate?
It’s a form of regional deposit that is required in some states. In areas where earnest money deposits aren’t being used, an escrow fee is often applicable in lieu of it.
Do I Owe Any Commission if the Buyer Comes Without an Agent?
No, if the buyer comes without an agent, you don’t owe ANY commission. ZERO. Just the small flat fee we collected at sign up.
Can I List on Zillow Without HelloReeve?
Yes, you can. However, it’s just one platform.
By using HelloReeve, you get access to Zillow, Realtor.com, and 750+ other sites, which makes it much easier to have a successful sale.
Do You Charge a Fee to the Buyer/Agent at Closing?
No. We never charge a fee to the buyer or buyer’s agent. The only fee we receive is the fee you pay us. No gimmicks. No hidden fees.
Do You Have the Lowest Price Guarantee?
No, we don’t. But, we do provide the best value, customer service, and most efficient flat-fee service at a very fair price. A lot of low-cost providers will charge you additional fees, (i.e., for changes to the listing, etc.), for listing agreement extensions, additional pictures, showing assistance, etc. Make sure you measure apples-to-apples when comparing services offered.
Can I List on Realtor.com Without HelloReeve?
No, Realtor.com does not allow listings from owners-directly (for sale by owner).
However, you can list with us under the Limited Service Agreement, and we can then publish on Realtor.com on your behalf. We just charge a lot less than a traditional agent, and you get a lot more freedom.
