What is the MLS?

MLS stands for the Multiple Listing Service. The MLS is a database of homes for sale in a certain area. The MLS is used by Real Estate Brokers to list homes for sale and find homes for their clients. Listing in the MLS is the best way to make Real Estate Brokers aware of your home as it is typically one of the only tools they use to locate properties for their clients. Only licensed Real Estate Agents have access to the MLS and only they can list property for sale in the MLS.

What Happens when a Broker wants to Show my Home?

Your name and phone number are placed in the "Agent Only Remarks" section of the MLS listing and brokers are instructed to contact you to schedule a showing. The broker wishing to schedule a showing simply calls you and to schedule an appointment. We recommend that you meet them to let them in, provide a flyer on the property, give a quick introduction to your property and then let them look around on their own. After they have finished viewing your property you can make yourself available for questions.

Why Should I Have my Home or Property Listed in the MLS?

Real Estate Brokers use the MLS almost exclusively to search for homes and property for their clients. Since more than 80% of buyers are represented by a Broker, we feel that having your home listed in the MLS is a tremendously important part of the marketing mix.

What Commission Do You Recommend Offering the Buyer's Agent?

While there is no standard commission, the majority of sellers in the Santa Fe Area offer the Buyer's Agent or Broker a 3% commission at closing.  When deciding how much to offer, remember that the higher the commission the more attention it will get from Buyer's Brokers. If you happen to find a buyer on your own, through Craig's List, newspaper advertisements, a yard sign or other means, you will not have to pay any commission increasing your savings even more.

At what Price Should I List My Home?

The price you decide to list your home for is entirely up to you. It's best to be realistic about the price you ask as a price that is too high will make your home more valuable. Since you will be saving so much in commissions you have the opportunity to be aggressive in your pricing and undercut the competition. You can also change your asking price at anytime. In your listing packet, we include a price change form that you can fax or e-mail to us as many times as you wish during your listing term. We are happy to provide you with a Comparitive Market Analysis (CMA) for $40.00. This report will detaill all active, pending, and sold properties near your home or property.

How long does it take for my Listing to be added to the Santa Fe MLS and to show up on Realtor.com?

We will post your home to the Santa Fe MLS within one business day of receiving your paperwork and photos. Approximately 24-48 hours after your listing is visible in the MLS it will also be available on Realtor.com, other IDX web sites.  Please remember that we have no control over the content that appears on sites that receive data feeds from the MLS so the time could be greater for some sites.

Can you use my Pictures for My Listing?

Yes, absolutely. Once you have paid for your listing package, simply e-mail your photos to Photos@SantaFeFlatFeeMLS.com, please be sure to include your listing number in the e-mail. For best results we recommend that photos be taken that are:

• Light and Bright - turn on interior lights when taking your photos
• Free of Clutter - a clean home always shows better
• In Focus - make sure your photos are sharp

Photos have to conform to the following:

• Minimum of 800 pixels wide or tall - we will format your photos to the proper size upon receipt
• JPG or JPEG file type

If you decide that your photos are not strong enough to sell your home, we can shoot the photos for your for a small fee or recommend reasonable photographers to you.

How long is the Listing Agreement?

All of our listings are for 12 Months. You are free to cancel your listing (without penalty) at any time as long as the property is not under contract and/or there are no active negotiations.

Can I cancel my listing?

Yes, you can cancel your listing at any time. Just let us know if you decide to take your home or property off the market.

Do you offer any other listing programs?

Yes, we offer a unique Full Service Flat Fee listing program that still allows you to save thousands of dollars, but removes the burden of selling on your own. You can learn more about this innovative listing program here.

Can I use a FSBO sign?

Unfortunately, No. The Santa Fe MLS forbids any sign other than a sign from the listing broker (us in this case) to be placed on the property once the listing is included in the MLS. As part of our listing package, we provide you with a corrugated plastic sign that has your contact name and number professionally printed on the sign. We are required to also print our name and phone number as well, but we pass on any and all calls that we receive directly to you. We can also provide you with a metal sign with your contact information for an additional $55.00.

Who Handles the Forms and Paperwork?

After we receive your listing order, we will e-mail you a listing packet that contains all the necessary forms and disclosures. You will then complete them and return them to us via e-mail, fax, or mail. Once we receive the paperwork, we will review it and contact you if there is anything missing or completed incorrectly.

At the time you receive an offer, it is up to you and the buyer to complete counter offers and purchase agreements on forms you both agree to.If you decide you need additional assistance, we are here to help. When we step in, you will still find that we are still much less expensive than full service real estate brokerages. When you ask us to take an active role in the transaction, we will represent you and assist you with:

• negotiating offers
• handling contingencies
• handling all paperwork on approved Real Estate Association of New Mexico Forms
• seeing you through the closing process

The cost of this service depends on when you choose to signup:

• If you decide to have us represent you in all contract negotiations, from the beginning, you pay only $500 at the time of listing, and we will help you with as many offers as you receive.
• If you decide to have us represent you in contract negotiations, when you get an offer, you pay $500 when you receive your first offer and then $500 for each subsequent offer.
• Of course, if you decide that you do not need our help, you pay us nothing more than the $395 listing fee.

What Type of Listings do you Accept?

Your Listing in the MLS can be for just about any type of property, Including:

• Residential Homes
• Land
• Commercial Buildings
• Multi-Family Properties
• Rentals (both commercial and residential)

What is a Lockbox and should I use One?

A Lockbox is a metal container that is typically attached to your front door or gate. Inside the lockbox, you place your keys. There are two types of lock boxes:

Electronic Lockbox - is a lockbox that only Real Estate Brokers can open using a key that electronically monitors access.

Manual Combination Lockbox - is a lockbox that you can purchase at any major home improvement center. The lockbox is opened using a combination.

The MLS Listing will advise Real Estate Brokers if a lockbox is in place and how to access the property using the lockbox for showings. The decision to use your lock box is entirely yours. We like lock boxes as they allow your home to be shown when you are at work or out of town, assuring full exposure to prospective buyers. In addition, most Real Estate Brokers choose the path of least resistance when deciding which homes to show. If you home does not have an electronic lock box many brokers will decide that showing your home is too much of a hastle. If you decide to use a lockbox it can be removed at anytime - please let us know if you remove it so we can update the MLS listing accordingly.

If you decide to use an electronic lockbox, we have them available for rent for the term of your listing. The charge to use one of our lock boxes is $180, with $80 of that amount refunded to when you return the lockbox to us.

If you have a Question that has not been Answered...

Please feel free to Contact Us at any time, we are happy to talk talk with you at any time!