FSBOConsultants.com Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are there any further or hidden charges?
A: NEVER. We do not play games. Most of our imitators require you to use a certain Escrow company, have a "transaction fee" per listing, a Flat Fee due at closing and sometimes insist you make the buyer use a specific lender.
Q: How long have you been doing this?
A: Entry Only listings were introduced by NAR over 10 years ago. We were doing Flat Fee Full Service listings with our Full Service Brokerage in 1990. With the introduction of Entry Only listings in all MLS's it was a natural subset service for us as we already envisioned and created the Flat Fee model almost 30 years ago.
Q: Can I cancel at any time?
A: Always! Unlike traditional offices and national franchises who will hold the listing hostage for months on end, all you need to do is email us that you want to cancel and you will be unconditionally cancelled usually within less than an hour. Please note that 80% plus of our customers sell using this valuable service and rarely do we get cancellations unless the property owners personal plans have changed.
Q: How much do I need to offer to the buyers agent?
A: Completely up to you, the average commissions to buyers agents in the MLS run between 2-3%.
Q: Can I use a Combo Lockbox?
A: Absolutely. In fact, we encourage this. Just email us the code and we can integrate it into the listing or we can structure the listing for agents to call you for the code.
Q: Will all calls come to me the property owner?
A: YES. Agents will call you direct. If any buyer emails or calls us, their info is immediately sent to you via email for you to make direct contact with the buyer. If you need our help should you and a buyer strike a deal, great..call us in for Flat Fee add-on services.
Q: How much are your Flat Fee add-on Services?
A: We get this question all of the time. We encourage every customer to get as far as they can on their own, if they get stuck, do not feel comfortable with the offer, the buyer or the buyers agent, that is the time to bring in the boss with 30 plus years of Full Time experience. We will customize a Flat Fee add-on service specific for what you need us to do.
Q: Will I be listed in my local MLS?
A: YES! Unless your property is in the Greater Antelope Valley, we can get you into your local MLS anywhere in Southern California.
Q: Why are you different from other services?
A: Firstly, we have been doing this longer than anyone, we created the Full Service Flat Fee business model in 1990. We are also NOT salespeople, we are customer service and support orientated. Our principal Broker came out of the hi-tech industry back in the 70's with a strong customer focused background. Lastly, unlike many other Realtors and Agents in the business, we are not on a personal ego trip and will never tell you what you want to hear.
Q: Do you cover Northern California?
A: Yes we cover most counties of Northern California.
Q: Can I submit a video?
A: Yes! As long as there is no branding whatsoever, just email us the URL to the video and we will integrate it into your MLS listing.
Q: How long does it take you to get my property into the MLS?
A: Many of our repeat customers know what we need when they submit a new property for sale so we can get them into the MLS sometimes in less than 20 minutes. In most cases though, it will take a customer a few hours to get us the pictures and marketing remarks and return the MLS forms via Esign or email, so normally same day service.
Q: How do I make changes to my listing?
A: Just email us anytime we are here to support our customers 7 days a week. Normally we will make the change within less than 5 minutes of receiving your email request.
Q: How many pictures can I submit?
A: For most MLS's in Southern California the limit is 74, some LA and Ventura County MLS's will allow up to 99, some Desert Area MLS's will allow 35, Northern California MLS's are around 25. It can be confusing but even our customers with 4000-10,000 square foot properties keep their pictures limited to under 40 pictures.
Q: How do I schedule an Open House?
A: Just email us, it will be scheduled within less than 5 minutes of receiving your email.
Q: Are there any charges for changes to my MLS listing?
A: NEVER.
Q: Do I have to use a certain Escrow Company?
A: Unlike our imitators we do not require you to use a certain escrow company.
Q: Can I convert to Full or Limited Service?
A: Yes, at any time. Just call us and we can discuss what your needs are and customize a Flat Fee plan specific for what you need us to do.
Q: What's the difference between you and a national franchise?
A: NOTHING, except we will save you Thousands of Dollars. You will be submitted to the same MLS that they submit to except you will be doing most of the leg work.
Q: I've never done this before, why should I use this service?
A: Great question. We have had teachers with ZERO Real Estate experience use this service and they go right through close of escrow with no problems. Conversely, many of our customers are Mortgage Brokers, former Real Estate Agents/Brokers who are not members of the MLS's anymore and they have called us in for help! So the short answer is, it all depends on the buyer, the offer and the buyers agent. The offers are written in English, always on a CAR form. Worst case scenario is that you have to bring us in to clean up any problems but again, 80% + of our customers sell without ever needing any further assistance.
Q: Where are you located?
A: Right here in beautiful Southern California! Once again, unlike some of our out of state imitators we are a licensed California Broker and have been for over 30 years.
Q: What makes your company better than the others who charge a little less?
A: Easy answer. Experience, no one comes close to our founder who has over 30 years Full Time experience in the Real Estate Industry.
Q: Can you answer questions if I have any?
A: As long as it is not specific to any purchase offer, yes. General questions are usually no problem and are included with this service.
Q: Can you get my pictures off my Zillow Ad?
A: As long as you took the pictures or paid someone to take the pictures, we can get your pictures off of any Internet site in less than 5 minutes!
Q: Can you Docusign the MLS forms to me?
A: Yes! Through the CAR Zipforms program Esign feature. The email will come from Ziplogix so watch your email folders.
Q: I don't see you on yelp or online reviews, why?
A: Our managing Broker is well versed in everything technology related, with almost 45 years technical experience he is well aware that reviews online can be made up, made fraudulent and manipulated to suit the user.
Q: Can you provide references?
A: YES! Hundreds of them, just ask us and we will email you as many as you want with their names and phone numbers. We insist on customer satisfaction and we have hundreds of "thank you emails".
Q: Do you offer credits or rebates to buyers if they purchase a property?
A: Yes! We started offering buyer credits/rebates almost 30 years ago to buyers who purchase a property through our Full Service Brokerage. By taking advantage of our Buyer Rebate/Credit division at CommissionCredit.com you can receive up to 90% of our commission at close of escrow. Call for details.
Q: Can we use Docusign for our MLS forms?
A: YES! Even though some of our imitators state on their websites that we do not provide online signing capabilities, we do. Through the CAR Zipforms software we can Esign you the MLS forms at anytime. .
Q: How come I do not see a lot of reviews for your company?
A: Reviews can easily be falsified and manipulated on any website even with verbal confirmation by the site posting the review. Our Broker has over 40 years technical experience and has no interest in following the crowd. If you would like to contact any of our customers, either on the market or that have sold their properties using our services, please call or email us and we will put you in direct contact with them so you can speak to them verbally. This way you can call their number and also google their phone number to make sure you are indeed calling the person at the number or email we give you..