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Have you ever wondered about how buyers' agents find homes that match the needs of the buyers? Have you ever wondered how buyers find a home with all of the features - number of bedrooms, bathrooms, finished basement - that they are looking for when they search online?

The answer to both questions is similar: both buyers' agents and individuals searching for a new home online find what they're looking for using the Multiple Listing Service - the MLS.

In the past, the only way to ensure that, when you sold your home, it would be included on the MLS was to use a seller's agent who would add your listing. For those who wanted to save the commission that would be paid to a seller's agent, the compromise meant that they would need to do a lot more marketing for their home so that buyers and buyers' agents would find the listing.

Now, however, that's changed. Since the introduction of Flat Fee MLS, for sale by owner sellers are also able to ensure that their homes are able to be found by buyers and buyers' agents. Since the introduction of Flat Fee MLS, for sale by owner homes can be listed on the same multiple listing service that real estate agents use without having to pay a seller's agent's commission.

Instead, thanks to companies that offer a Flat Fee MLS listing service, home sellers can pay one low flat fee to have their home included in the MLS for a particular amount of time - typically six months. Instead, thanks to companies that offer a flat fee MLS listing service, home sellers can ensure that buyers and buyers' agents are able to know the features of a home on the market, as well as the asking price for the home.

In other words, Flat Fee MLS is a service provided by a number of real estate companies that allows home sellers - in particular those home sellers who do not wish to use sellers' agents - to pay upfront to have their homes included in the multiple listing service.

Similarly, because these real estate companies recognize that there are may be other marketing materials that for sale by owner sellers can take advantage of, companies that offer Flat Fee MLS listings also offer other services, also for a single flat fee. These services may include lock boxes, websites, marketing flyers or brochures and the option to include additional photos or even a virtual tour to the property listing.

Each additional service that these real estate companies will com at a flat fee - just as the MLS listing did. Because of this, home sellers are able to know what their expenses will be up front. They know that they will pay a flat fee to have an MLS listing, another flat fee for renting a lock box, another for adding a virtual tour. Home sellers who use a Flat Fee Listing will also know that they will not be charged for services that they do not need.

When you sell your home with a Flat Fee MLS listing, you can be sure that you are only paying for services that you need to sell your home. When you use a Flat Fee MLS listing, you can be sure that buyers and their agents will be able to find your listing. And, when you use a Flat Fee MLS listing, you can be sure that you are saving money in the process of selling your home.