I listed my house with a flat-fee brokerage and got way less traffic

Last summer I put my 3-bedroom in Plaza Midwood on the market using a $500 flat-fee service instead of a traditional agent. I figured I'd save the 3% commission since I'm pretty handy with photos and descriptions. But after 45 days with only 4 showings and no offers, I finally caved and hired a full-service agent. Turns out the local MLS access and agent network matter way more than I thought. Has anyone else tried the DIY route and regretted it?

2 comments

2 Comments

sullivan.elliot14d ago

Respectfully gotta push back on that, @juliam40. In my experience a flat fee service actually got me plenty of showings and a sale within three weeks, just depends on your market and how you price it from the start.

juliam4015d ago

The flat fee route works best when you already have a buyer lined up, not for a full market listing. MLS access is the real key since that's where agents send their clients, and flat fee services often don't get you into the same local agent circles. Plus, most buyers' agents won't push a flat fee listing as hard because they know there's no one on the other end to negotiate with or coordinate showings easily. You also lose out on the pricing strategy advice and staging tips that come from someone who sees your neighborhood every day. For a quick sale in a hot area like Plaza Midwood, having an agent that knows all the local agents personally makes a huge difference. Next time, maybe try a discount broker that still offers full MLS listing and agent support for a lower commission rate.