What are “Flat Fee” MLS services? 

(Click here for Wikipedia's definition)

A few years ago, most of the Multiple Listing Services (MLS) within the United States began permitting their members (licensed real estate brokerage firms) to utilize their networks when offering “Flat Fee” MLS services to sellers.

The “Flat Fee” MLS model essentially does away with the Seller's Agent (Listing Agent) and in turn eliminates his/her customary three percent (3%) commission (Listing Fee) for representing and marketing your home.

Under a “Flat Fee” MLS model, you (the Seller) can list your home ‘for sale’ on the MLS by paying a “one time, flat fee” vs. a “fixed rate of commission”.

Even more exciting, with the “Flat Fee” MLS model, you (the Seller) reserve the right to sell your home to a Buyer, who you have procured on your own (without the assistance of a Buyer’s Agent).  In which case, you will not pay a commission to anyone.

If your home is placed under agreement and sold to a Buyer, who was procured by a Buyer’s Agent, a commission will be due and paid to the office of the procuring Buyer’s Agent, only if and when the Deed is recorded and considerations ($) are paid to you (the Seller).  The Buyer's Agent commission is determined by you in advance of entering your listing in the MLS.  This commission is commonly referred to as the "co-broke".

Aside from offering you (the Seller) access to the local MLS network, Be Happy! Realty “Flat Fee” MLS service publishes your listing on Realtor.com; the official website of the National Association of Realtors.

Despite the opinions of many “traditional” real estate brokers, “Flat Fee” MLS services have proliferated across the United States and “Flat Fee” MLS brokers have enjoyed a growing popularity amongst real estate consumers (Buyers & Sellers).

In conclusion, “Flat Fee” MLS services are not a replacement for the services of a “traditional” real estate broker but rather a change to the “one-size-fits-all” mentality when it comes to the typical real estate commission structure.