Do you make more money listing on MLS?

Question

I can either FSBO, postlets, cl, or I can list on MLS. Am I going to be able to profit more using MLS? Or should I stick with my "off market" listings?

Wayne Brooks · Answer

Wothout the MLS, maybe 80-90% of the buyers out there won't know about your property.

Gideon Sylvan · Answer

From my experience, and what I've learned, not listing on the MLS is much more expensive.

Realistically, you're not going to save on the buying commission, since a lot of buyers still want to be represented, and that commission needs to come from somewhere.  You also increase your risk, since you are now liable and responsible for more that can go wrong as an unrepresented seller.  You're also likely to spend more listing FSBO than you might think, between advertising, your own time, and the dreaded holding costs.  Finally, the type of people who look for off market properties are usually looking for a bargain.

You should be able to get a investor-rate listing commission at 1.5%ish (or just go through Redfin), which is still expensive for the number of hours put in, but that doesn't mean you could put in an equal number of hours without the MLS and get a similar result.

With all this in mind, if you have a buyer's list and a good attorney, maybe you really don't need to.  The MLS doesn't help sell lease options or land contracts too much either from my observation, if you're going that route.

Ryan Dossey · Answer

@Wayne Brooks thanks. That is my thought. We have several buyers where I don't have to even market most properties. But I know they have just been flipping my deals and putting them on MLS. Might as well cut out the middle man and make more!