Q. I want to sign up. What do I do now?
A. Just go to sign up and follow the instructions.

MLS related questions

Q. What is the MLS?
A. The REALTOR® Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a computerized database containing all of the properties on the market through real estate brokerage companies. When anyone contacts an agent regarding a home purchase, Realtors will search the MLS for properties meeting their criteria.

Q. Why do I need to be listed in the MLS?
A. To reach home buyers working with buyer agents. 80% of all homebuyers bought a home that was listed in the MLS. Listing in the MLS will bring qualified buyers to you from Realtors who are working with buyers right now.

Q. How long would my house be listed on the MLS for the $795 fee?
A. Under the 1st Option Realty program, you are free to choose the term of your listing agreement, with 1 month being the minimum and 12 months the maximum. There is no price difference at the time of the sign-up and there is no fee to extend a listing for up to 12 months.

Q. Will my listing look the same as all the other listings?
A. In the Realtor® Multiple listing Service, your home would show up as a 1st Option Realty listing and would appear exactly the same as any other Realtor® listing. The price you pay 1st Option Realty has no effect on the listing's appearance or placement in the MLS. Listings are all formatted by the MLS and all are identical.

Q. How do I know the information in the MLS is correct?
A. Sellers provide data about their homes and submit the forms to 1st Option Realty. 1st Option Realty will provide you with a printout from the MLS for your review and approval after your listing completion.

Q. Is this the real MLS?
A. Yes. As a licensed broker, 1st Option Realty belongs to the same MLS's as other real estate companies, like Coldwell Banker, Re/Max or Century 21. 1st Option Realty belongs to the Multiple Listing Services in every market that we serve.

Q. Does the listing that 1st Option Realty provides appear in the printed versions of the MLS for my area?
A. When you list your home with 1st Option Realty, the listing information will appear in your local MLS the same as any listing from another Realtor®. If the MLS prints books of those listings, then your 1st Option Realty listing will be found in the printed book.

Q. When you enter my listing in the MLS, am I given a number and is it made available to Realtors®?
A. Yes. The MLS assigns every listing a unique number that is used to identify your property. It is available to Realtors®.

Q. Will you place a key box on our home?
A. As long as you authorize it, we will place an electronic key box at your home so that Realtors® will be able to show your home to buyers even if you are not home. All appointments are scheduled directly through 1st Option Realty's office and each key box keeps an electronic record of who has entered your home and when. A key box is not required, but it is highly recommended to maximize your home's salability.

General questions

Q. Who will be the listing broker for my home?
A. In the Realtor® Multiple Listing Service, your home would show up as a 1st Option Realty listing, and would appear exactly the same as any other Realtor® listing. The actual agent for 1st Option Realty would depend upon the location of your property.

Q. Will you list my home on the Internet?
A. Yes! As Realtors®, 1st Option Realty works through your local MLS to add our listings to their high-traffic Real Estate website partners.

Q. On what Internet sites would my home show up?
A. The sites would vary with each MLS. Generally, different Multiple Listing Services have different tie-ins with major Internet Real Estate sites. Since the information is fed to these sites by each MLS, the appearance of your property on any given site is dependent upon the MLS having a marketing agreement with that particular site. Most commonly used sites are: Realtor.com, Homeseekers.com, HomeAdvisor.com and Cyberhomes.com. It generally takes 5-7 days for the listing to be put on these sites subsequent to their placement in the MLS.

Q. Can I still sell my home "By Owner"?
A. Yes. Unlike listing your home with a traditional real estate company, 1st Option Realty will not take away your right to sell your home by owner. In fact, 1st Option Realty encourages you to market your property by owner. Our only request is that you do not place a "For Sale By Owner" sign in your yard or window while listed in the REALTOR® MLS.

Q. You said I can still sell my home myself, how does that work?
A. You sign what is called an exclusive agency listing which allows you to sell the property to anyone you find on your own without paying any additional commission. However, if a Realtor® finds a buyer for your home, you agree to pay them the buyers side of the commission, which is a commission percentage that you determine when you list your home.

Q. Do you provide a sign?
A. Yes. We supply either a yard sign or window sign, per your request. It is either shipped Priority Mail, directly to your home at no additional cost as part of our service or delivered directly by one of our local agents.

Q. Do you turn customer sign calls over to me?
A. Our experience has shown that some buyers would rather call the owner directly, while others would prefer to call a Realtor®. While 1st Option Realty's telephone numbers are on the sign and on the Internet listing, a buyer can still contact you directly by calling or stopping by.

Q. Can we use your service without using your sign?
A. Yes, but we suggest you use the 1st Option Realty sign provided for two reasons:
1.) To reach "impulse" buyers.
2.) To bring the property to the attention of agents and buyers who are cruising the neighborhood looking for a home.

Q. Without a Realtor® CMA (Competitive Market Analysis) how do I know my price is right?
A. Our page on pricing your home reviews the options you have for determining the asking price for your home.

Q. Do you assist me with negotiation?
A. Our service does not provide help with negotiating; we do recommend that you consult an attorney if you feel uncomfortable with that process.

Q. Do you sit at my open house if I want one?
A. Our listing service does not include open house services. A recent market study found that less than 5% of homes were sold through open houses.

Q. What kind of advertising will you do for my home?
A. 1st Option Realty's basic listing service does not include any guarantee of advertising. However, your home will receive exposure to all Realtors through the MLS and all buyers through the Internet.

Q. Should I go through the house with each Realtor® and their customers to point out all the features of our home?
A. No. Feedback from customers has demonstrated that they would prefer you not walk through with them. It is a good idea, however, for you to offer to answer any questions after they have viewed your home with the Realtor®, but we suggest you stay out of their way.

Q. I am contemplating using your service. May I use my own photograph in the listing? I have already scanned it.
A. You may e-mail scanned photographs of your home if they are in JPG format to Photos@1stOptionRealty.com.

Q. I understand that some companies include the use of an Internet "virtual tours" for the marketing of houses. Do you also market this way?
A. Virtual tours are available through I-Pix for approximately $100. To make sure that the virtual tour is attached to your Internet listing, all virtual tour order requests need to be submitted directly by 1st Option Realty. 1st Option Realty does not receive any type of fee for referring or processing your virtual tour request.

Q. What markets do your currently serve.
A. Please visit our licensing page for a list of current markets served.

Q. Is 1st Option Realty a franchise?
A. No, we are a privately held company.

Q. What Realtor® Boards do you belong to?
A. We are Realtors® of the local Boards in all our markets. We are also members of the state Boards of Realtors®, and of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribe to its Code of Ethics.

Q. How do I check on your company's credentials?
A. As far as credentials go, we are experienced Realtors® and subscribe to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Realtors®. We are also members of the Better Business Bureau on-line. We currently have no outstanding customer complaints.

Cost related questions

Q. Why would an agent show a potential buyer my house listed with 1st Option Realty versus another big name realtor if he/she can get 2.5% or 3% of the sale price?
A. Our system is designed to save a home seller the listing commission. The buyers' agents' commission, usually half of a normal commission, is unaffected. Agents are just as willing to sell our listings because their compensation is the same as another company's listing. In each MLS, our listings clearly state the co-operating commission that is set at the market level. There is no disincentive to selling one of our listings. We are the discounters. We do not expect the buyer's agents to discount their services.

Q. Is there really only a $795 flat fee for listing my house? If an agent brings a buyer to my house, how does that agent get paid?
A. Our service will allow a seller to list their home in the Realtor® MLS for $795, instead of the usual listing commission of 2.5% to 3.5%. Once listed with 1st Option Realty, you can sell your home on your own and pay no commission. If a Realtor® brings the buyer to you, you would have to pay a buyer broker commission. Generally, this commission ranges from 2.5% to 3.5% depending on the market you are in. You set this commission amount yourself.

Q. If I find the buyer myself do I get my $795 back?
A. No. The $795 is the fee you are paying us to market your home through the local MLS. This is the only fee that you pay us.

Q. If my house sells before the MLS listing is finalized; can I get my $795 back? Or, If I list with your company, and my house doesn't sell, can I get my $795 back?
A. The $795 fee covers the MLS entry, promotion on select real estate websites, signage and sales tips. If the property sells the first day on the MLS, or the last, or not at all, there is no price difference.

Q. Do I have to list with your broker to get my $795 back?
A. Yes. As outlined in our website, if you choose to cancel your listing with 1st Option Realty and use a full service real estate company, we would be happy to provide the names of up to three who can service your listing needs. When you use one of our referred agents and close on the sale of your home, you will receive a refund of $795 at closing.

Q. Can I pay by credit card?
A. Yes. All payments are secure on-line transactions made through PayPal which is owned by e-Bay.