Your second choice is a flat rate or discount broker. Aside from the benefits mentioned above – of paying someone else for their time and expertise, a discount broker can tap into resources you don't have access to, like the multiple listing services used by real estate pros. This one change can reduce sales times by half or more. While both discount and full service brokers have access to this service, the discount brokers generally charge less for them. Furthermore, a lot of discount brokers have a flat rate package (between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on services bundled) to help walk you through the federal and state disclosures.

Not all discount brokers are identical – some are flat fee brokerages (as described above), others try to work as a full service broker, but charge a lower commission rate to stay on top of the market. While these (like full service brokers) are negotiable, you should remember that the broker is going to work as hard as they think they're going to get paid.

That last piece of advice is the key to getting a winning relationship with a full service agent. While some agents try to tell you that commission rates are graven in granite, the truth is that there's always room for negotiation. In general, the stronger the housing market, the more readily you can talk down commission rates. Full service brokers are exactly that – you are, just like with any broker, paying a premium to use someone else's experience.

Should you be dealing with foreclosure, traditional methods of selling your home might not be the best way to facilitate the sale. You may not have enough available equity in your home in order to cover the fees of even a discount broker. And waiting for a few weeks, or even a few months, for your home to sell can have a major impact on both your credit, and the situation with your lender.

In scenarios like these, you should consider selling your home to a real estate investor. Real estate investors will often purchase homes from owners that are facing foreclosure, or behind on mortgage payments. Investors are also interested in homes that need to be sold fast, but perhaps require repairs or renovations in order to be sold using traditional methods. A reputable investor can work with you to sell your home with no commissions and no closing costs, saving time and money, and allowing you to move on.

If you are facing foreclosure, have multiple mortgages on your property, or are several payments behind on your mortgage, you need help fast. Vivid Properties is a group of real estate investors that specializes in buying houses from people like you. You'll receive a fair price for your property, and a simple, no-hassle closing with no costs to you.

Page 2 of 2 :: First | Last :: Prev | 1 2 | Next