Sacramento Discount MLS Listing

Q.  What rate is this savings based on?
A.  Savings are based on a comparison to a traditional, six-percent listing (3% to listing agent, 3% to the buyer's agent). Our rate is 4%, with 1.5% going to the us as the listing agent, and 2.5% to the buyer's agent. (We have a minimum flat fee if your home is priced below $145,000, but for most homes in our area this does not apply).

Q.  What's included in this discount listing?
A.  Unlike other discount listings, where you have to work with the buyers directly or handle the disclosures and other paperwork yourself, a John Lockwood Associates discount listing offers you full support throughout the escrow period. You get a full listing in the MLS, first-page exposure our many top-performing internet sites.

Here is more complete list of what's included:

• A complete MLS Listing. Our listing details are one of the ways our listings are "better than full commission". For example, we pay attention to listing details like the size of your rooms. Other agents routinely gloss over these details -- but buyers love them!
• Multiple color photos in your MLS listing.
• Front page exposure to our huge network of local Real Estate web sites. No real estate broker in the greater Sacramento area offers better internet exposure regardless of how much more than me they charge. That's why our listings are "better than full commission". Our Internet exposure is second to none in the area.
• MLS Lockbox installed.
• For Sale Yard Sign professionally installed.
• Flier box with black and white fliters (color available at cost).
• Showings of your home. (See below for some minor but important limitations).
• Complete assistance with all paperwork and disclosures.

Q.  What's not included?
A.  There are some minor limitations on showings (see below). We also discourage sellers from Open Houses (since the main goal of Open Houses is for Realtors® who don't have web sites as good as ours to get buyers -- not to sell your house). If you really want your home held open, we can often find a hungry agent to sit it for you, but we can't guarantee it. Also, our marketing plan is Internet based, but if you want to buy pricey "Vanity Ads" for your home, we'll help with creating the ad if you'll pay for it. We used to buy lots of such "Home Book Advertising", until we discovered how badly it worked. We advertise on the Internet, where the buyers are.

Q.  Do I have to show the home myself?
A.  In most cases, no, John Lockwood or a Realtor® his referral team will show the home for you. You don't have to be home or keep the house open at any given time, and we will install a lockbox so other agents can show your home as well. The only difference is that if a buyer is already working with another agent, then as much as possible we will ask the buyer to arrange their showings with the other agent. Also, if an agent is from out of the area, we may ask you to help us out by letting them in to see your home.

Q.  Do I get an additional discount if you "double end" (bring in the buyer)?
A.  No. Remember, the commission to the buyer's agent is already discounted (2.5%, not 3%). However, if you wish to offer 3% to the other agent to provide additional incentive to show and sell your home, I can still honor 2.5% if I sell it myself.

Q.  How are you able to offer this discount?
A.  There are a number of reasons. First, John Lockwood Associates is an independent brokerage. I don't have to pay fees to my local broker, and I don't have to pay national franchise fees, so I'm able to pass the savings along to you.

Secondly, the real estate industry is a business where many, many agents compete to sell relatively few listings. This competition fuels and supports the high prices that most agents charge. Our strategy is to charge less so we can spend more time marketing the listings we have, and less time trying to chase after listings.