Is There a Good Alternative to MLS Canada?

Where's a better alternative to MLS Canada?

You've decided to attempt the sale of your own home without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®. You've thoroughly digested the information on this website. And to save a real estate commission, you feel it's worth a try.

Your property is prepared, and you believe you possess the skills necessary for a successful marketing and sale. After all, how difficult could it be.

Where do you begin?

Years ago, it was simpler. You just placed an ad in the real estate advertising section of your local newspaper, and created a 'for sale' sign for your lawn with your home and/or business phone number.

These days, it's quite different. You can still try the newspaper method, but more than three out of four buyers begin their home search on ...

The Internet

So, that's where you need to be. You need the exposure, especially considering the current market conditions.

In a seller's market, the chances of a private sale being successful are a little better. But now that we've moved into a more balanced market (and in some cases, a buyer's market) with more active listings and fewer buyers, the odds have worsened.

You could also try a 'home for sale by owner' company. Along with providing some basic information for you, they usually have their own website for marketing purposes. But they don't get the huge traffic volume of the Multiple Listing Service® provided by members of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) in Canada or the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in the USA.

For maximum exposure, you really need the MLS online system REALTOR.ca for MLS Canada and REALTOR.com for the Multiple Listing Service in the USA. And the only way to get your home listed on this extremely popular site is through the services of a REALTOR®.

You can go the route of a discount brokerage who'll accept your listing for a flat fee or low percentage. And they'll upload your listing to MLS Canada. But you'll still likely have to pay a competitive commission to a buyer brokerage. Most buyers hire a professional REALTOR® to help them find and negotiate an agreement of purchase and sale. Because the seller typically pays the commission, the buyer gets their service, including guidance and protection ...

Free of Charge

So, why wouldn't they have their own agent?

Or you can hire a full service brokerage who'll help you throughout the entire process, from consultation and evaluation, to advising on preparing your home for market, to marketing and negotiation.

With a REALTOR®, you'll also often get the added bonus of having your property exposed on the corporate as well as the individual REALTOR® websites.

The absolute best medium for real estate advertising? MLS online.

To check out REALTOR.ca, click MLS Canada And for our American neighbours, click MLS USA

MLS® and Multiple Listing Service® are registered trade marks of the Canadian Real Estate Association and the National Association of Realtors.

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