Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the most effective way to sell a home?
A. Despite extensive real estate advertising in newspapers, magazines and on for sale by owner websites, listing a property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) delivers the most highly concentrated exposure and the best results. 90% of all homes are sold through the MLS.
Q. How can you offer services for substantially less?
A. The real estate industry is changing at a record pace. With the technology and information available today, homeowners are becoming more informed about selling on their own and saving money on real estate commission. However, the success rate of "for sale by owner" transactions is considerably lower than traditional sales. I do understand the need for a discount real estate service that offers professional advice and have structured my business to offer selective programs to cater that market.
Q. What is the "Buyers Agent" commission and how much should I offer?
A. The Buyer's Agent commission is the amount you are willing to pay a real estate agent that brings you a qualified buyer. This amount is determined by you at the time of the listing and is paid to the Buyer's Agent at closing. This amount should be competitive with other listings in your area if you want to take full advantage of the MLS. Standard buyer agent commissions are in the range of 3.5% on first $100000 & 1.5 % on the balance plus applicable GST. You can also offer a flat amount that you agree to pay. Commission are not set by law. All commissions are negotiable. Any comparisons to a percentage commission, such as 7% on first $10000 and 3% on balance, are for illustration and comparison purposes only.
Q. Can I list on MLS with no commission for buyer broker/agent ?
A. All MLS listing programs require the offering of a commission if a real estate licensee finds you a buyer. The amount of commission is determined by you, the seller. There is no typical commissions for buyers brokers / agents: Commission are not set by law. All commissions are negotiable. Any comparisons to a percentage commission, such as 7% on first $10000 and 3% on balance plus applicable GST, are for illustration and comparison purposes only. Standrard commissions for buyers agents are 3.5% on 1st $100,000 and 1.5% on the balance of sale price plus applicable GST.
Q. Can I still sell my home "by owner" while it is listed on the MLS?
A. No. You should try to sell the property yourself first. If you do not find a buyer on your own, list your property on MLS to get the exposure you need.
Q. Will the MLS really help me sell my home?
A. Definitely. To sell your home you have to let people know it's on the market. The MLS.ca gives you exposure to over 5000 real estate agents and the buyers they represent just in Calgary and area. The fact is over 90% of buyers use a real estate agent when looking for a home, real estate agents use the MLS. It's that simple.
Q. Will my home get exposure on the Internet?
A. Yes. Your home will appear on several real estate web sites linked directly to the MLS free of charge.
Q. Will my listing look the same as other listings?
A. Absolutely. The format is standard for all listings. Quite frankly, this is why this program works. When the buyer's agent sees your listing in the MLS, they KNOW they area going to get paid their commission if they bring you a buyer. If they were dealing with you as a FSBO, they wouldn't be sure. And so they avoid FSBOs like a plague.
Q. Why not just advertise my home "For Sale by Owner" in the newspaper, and forget the MLS listing?
A. Most people responding to newspaper ads are not yet really serious about buying a home. They are still in the dreaming or just kicking the tires stage of home buying. Once a buyer gets serious, over 90% of the time he or she will hire a Realtor who would send them information from MLS. Buyers like working with realtors because they truck them around and provide them market/neighbourhood information/sataistics for FREE.
Q. May I still advertise my home for sale in the newspaper and other advertising venues in addition to having you list my home for sale on the MLS?
A. Yes. however, any such ad would include my name and contact number for pre-screening and qualification purposes.
Q. What if my needs change and I want to terminate my listing?
A. You may terminate your listing at any time if you communicate your termination request to me in writing.
Q. How long does it take to be listed on the MLS?
A. During the normal business week (Monday - Friday) it usually takes 3-5 days to process and be listed on the MLS (Realtors will be able to see your property as soon as it has been uploaded on MLS, but to be seen by public it will take more time - up to 72hours as realtors have priviliged access), however in order to speed up the process and expose your home for sale ASAP I personally GUARANTEE unique EXPRESS service: your property with all information and pictures (up to 20) will be posted on MLS within three working days after you sign the listing contract.
Q. We live outside of the Calgary, is it possible to list our home on MLS using your service?
A. YES !!! Alberta Real Estate Association allows all agents, licensed in Alberta to trade (list and sell) properties throughout Alberta , as long as they follow the rules and the law. They could be some technical difficulties (arranging the viewing of the properties, lockbox, sign...) BUT IT IS POSSIBLE; If you think that this service will SAVE you the money it could be done. I don't encourage you to do this, (they are lots of agents in your area) but you want feel free to contact me, and we can discuss this option.
Q. How do I get started?
A. Simply, CONTACT ME NOW at 403-889-6322. The most affordable MLS option Flat fee listing service ever offered is now available exclusively to savvy Calgary home sellers. For low, low flat fee of (Please contact Junaid Malik at 403-889-6322 for details) plus a commission (usually 3.5% on first $100000 and 1.5%* on balance plus applicable GST) paid to the buyers agent (paid at closing)*** I will list your property on MLS allowing all REALTORS - over 5000 in Calgary area to market your home to their buyers, while you retain the right to market and sell your home yourself.
Q. What is the most effective way to sell a home?
A. Despite extensive real estate advertising in newspapers, magazines and on for sale by owner websites, listing a property on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) delivers the most highly concentrated exposure and the best results. 90% of all homes are sold through the MLS.
Q. How can you offer services for substantially less?
A. The real estate industry is changing at a record pace. With the technology and information available today, homeowners are becoming more informed about selling on their own and saving money on real estate commission. However, the success rate of "for sale by owner" transactions is considerably lower than traditional sales. I do understand the need for a discount real estate service that offers professional advice and have structured my business to offer selective programs to cater that market.
Q. What is the "Buyers Agent" commission and how much should I offer?
A. The Buyer's Agent commission is the amount you are willing to pay a real estate agent that brings you a qualified buyer. This amount is determined by you at the time of the listing and is paid to the Buyer's Agent at closing. This amount should be competitive with other listings in your area if you want to take full advantage of the MLS. Standard buyer agent commissions are in the range of 3.5% on first $100000 & 1.5 % on the balance plus applicable GST. You can also offer a flat amount that you agree to pay. Commission are not set by law. All commissions are negotiable. Any comparisons to a percentage commission, such as 7% on first $10000 and 3% on balance, are for illustration and comparison purposes only.
Q. Can I list on MLS with no commission for buyer broker/agent ?
A. All MLS listing programs require the offering of a commission if a real estate licensee finds you a buyer. The amount of commission is determined by you, the seller. There is no typical commissions for buyers brokers / agents: Commission are not set by law. All commissions are negotiable. Any comparisons to a percentage commission, such as 7% on first $10000 and 3% on balance plus applicable GST, are for illustration and comparison purposes only. Standrard commissions for buyers agents are 3.5% on 1st $100,000 and 1.5% on the balance of sale price plus applicable GST.
Q. Can I still sell my home "by owner" while it is listed on the MLS?
A. No. You should try to sell the property yourself first. If you do not find a buyer on your own, list your property on MLS to get the exposure you need.
Q. Will the MLS really help me sell my home?
A. Definitely. To sell your home you have to let people know it's on the market. The MLS.ca gives you exposure to over 5000 real estate agents and the buyers they represent just in Calgary and area. The fact is over 90% of buyers use a real estate agent when looking for a home, real estate agents use the MLS. It's that simple.
Q. Will my home get exposure on the Internet?
A. Yes. Your home will appear on several real estate web sites linked directly to the MLS free of charge.
Q. Will my listing look the same as other listings?
A. Absolutely. The format is standard for all listings. Quite frankly, this is why this program works. When the buyer's agent sees your listing in the MLS, they KNOW they area going to get paid their commission if they bring you a buyer. If they were dealing with you as a FSBO, they wouldn't be sure. And so they avoid FSBOs like a plague.
Q. Why not just advertise my home "For Sale by Owner" in the newspaper, and forget the MLS listing?
A. Most people responding to newspaper ads are not yet really serious about buying a home. They are still in the dreaming or just kicking the tires stage of home buying. Once a buyer gets serious, over 90% of the time he or she will hire a Realtor who would send them information from MLS. Buyers like working with realtors because they truck them around and provide them market/neighbourhood information/sataistics for FREE.
Q. May I still advertise my home for sale in the newspaper and other advertising venues in addition to having you list my home for sale on the MLS?
A. Yes. however, any such ad would include my name and contact number for pre-screening and qualification purposes.
Q. What if my needs change and I want to terminate my listing?
A. You may terminate your listing at any time if you communicate your termination request to me in writing.
Q. How long does it take to be listed on the MLS?
A. During the normal business week (Monday - Friday) it usually takes 3-5 days to process and be listed on the MLS (Realtors will be able to see your property as soon as it has been uploaded on MLS, but to be seen by public it will take more time - up to 72hours as realtors have priviliged access), however in order to speed up the process and expose your home for sale ASAP I personally GUARANTEE unique EXPRESS service: your property with all information and pictures (up to 20) will be posted on MLS within three working days after you sign the listing contract.
Q. We live outside of the Calgary, is it possible to list our home on MLS using your service?
A. YES !!! Alberta Real Estate Association allows all agents, licensed in Alberta to trade (list and sell) properties throughout Alberta , as long as they follow the rules and the law. They could be some technical difficulties (arranging the viewing of the properties, lockbox, sign...) BUT IT IS POSSIBLE; If you think that this service will SAVE you the money it could be done. I don't encourage you to do this, (they are lots of agents in your area) but you want feel free to contact me, and we can discuss this option.
Q. How do I get started?
A. Simply, CONTACT ME NOW at 403-889-6322. The most affordable MLS option Flat fee listing service ever offered is now available exclusively to savvy Calgary home sellers. For low, low flat fee of (Please contact Junaid Malik at 403-889-6322 for details) plus a commission (usually 3.5% on first $100000 and 1.5%* on balance plus applicable GST) paid to the buyers agent (paid at closing)*** I will list your property on MLS allowing all REALTORS - over 5000 in Calgary area to market your home to their buyers, while you retain the right to market and sell your home yourself.