How the MLS Works for For Sale By Owner Sellers
As a seller, your home is listed in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) by a participating member of the MLS (like FlatFeeMLSListing.com and our affiliates).  Your listing includes a color photo, detailed information about your home (bedrooms, square feet, and much more), and the cooperative commission being offered to the agent helping the buyer.

MLS is the Most Powerful Tool for Selling  Homes
Agents that are working with buyers check the MLS many times a day looking for homes in a particular area, price range, and amenities.  The MLS sorts the homes and shows only the homes that meet the buyers criteria. 

How MLS Works with Commissions
The agent will then show your home at the scheduled time and contact you if the buyer has questions or wishes to make an offer.  Should you choose to accept an offer from that buyer, you will pay the commission amount you have listed in the MLS.  The commission amount is listed in the MLS, so it is not generally negotiated in the transaction.  Often, the commission is not even discussed by the agent.  If you accept an offer from a buyer without an agent, you do not pay any percentage commission.  You are not required to accept any offers.  You are free to advertise your home in newspapers, other places, and hold open houses if you wish.  (Consult local MLS rules for specific information).

Sell As Fast As Full Priced Agent Listed Homes
This listing process is the same regardless of whether you list your home with us or a full priced real estate agent.  Because of the cooperating commission you are offering, your listing looks the same as other homes for sale listed by full priced agents.  Agents are just as motivated to sell your home as any other home for sale.  Nearly every local real estate company participates in the MLS, so an MLS listing puts thousands of agents to work on selling your home.

Secure, Convenient Agent Showings
Lockboxes are not required, but they are ideal for having secure and convenient home showings controlled by the seller.  They also make it more likely that agents will show your home, as they know buyers spend more time in homes where the seller is not around, and that makes the buyer more likely to buy. Sellers like key lockboxes because they don't need to run home for every showing or feel trapped in their home waiting to open the door for the agent and buyer. Key lockboxes also enable last-minute and short notice showings, which often are the best, most motivated buyers (such as relocation buyers in town for a short time who need to buy a home quickly).

How MLS Showings Work
When a agent finds a home they want to show to their buyer, they call the telephone number on the listing (often this is your telephone number) and say "I would like to show the home at 4426 Maple Street to my buyer on Saturday at 11am."  We show you the security procedure the real estate industry has used for years for home showings.