What is a flat fee Denver Realtor? Flat fee and discount real estate listing agency in Denver comes in many different forms. I have been implementing a FULL SERVICE, flat fee and discount real estate model in my Denver real estate practice for over 2 years. I found that what I did to sell homes does not vary greatly no matter the price point. And I wanted to find a good deal that I could offer friends and family. I do not deviate from this structure to avoid the awkwardness of offering one person a better deal than another and having it discovered by the lesser benefiting party. My Denver full service, flat fee real estate model is $9,800 + the 2.8% that I pass through to the buyers' agent.

Here is a video about my full service, flat fee Denver real estate model.

 

 

How does the money flow in a real estate transaction in Colorado?

How do real estate agents get paid in a home sale in Colorado?

You need to know that although both agents are paid at simultaneously at closing, the seller is paying the listing brokerage one large sum, and then the listing brokerage is paying the buyer's agent out of that amount. The buyer's agent commission is advertised in the MLS (multiple listing service) with the listing for the house. Buyer's agents are discouraged from discriminating against showing homes with lower commission rates, but there is no way to know if an agent chooses not to show a home because of the commission rate offered. My bigger fear would be that an agent would speak negatively of a home, pointing out flaws or suggesting it is overpriced, if the commission rate is less than competing homes for sale. In my model I offer the most frequently offered amount in the Denver MLS (recolorado) of 2.8%. 

How much sellers usually pay to Denver real estate agents compared to my flat fee

I charge 2.8% + my $9,800 flat fee.

Flat Fee Denver Realtor Fee Comparison

As you can see this model results in a $12,600 savings with a $700,000 sales price. But is this a case of "you get what you pay for"?

But commission savings are meaningless unless all the pieces are in place to still sell your home for top dollar.

What marketing do I do with my full service, flat fee Denver real estate model to sell homes for top dollar?

I implement every marketing strategy I have seen to position all of my listing clients to sell for top dollar and create bidding wars whenever possible.

Full service / flat fee real estate marketing and services offered by Denver Realtor Christopher Gibson includes the following.

1.     Professional photography from Virtuance includes a virtual tour that goes out to all Denver real estate agent web sites that pull from the MLS.

2.     Aerial exterior photography, possibly twilight, performed by FAA 107 certified Aerial Photography of Colorado professional photographer Christopher Gibson.
*Complimentary for the opportunity to interview for the listing*

3.     In addition to listing on the MLS my listings are also put on Zillow.com, Trulia.com, and Realtor.com.

4.     Ability to list in the Colorado Springs MLS (PPAR) or the Boulder MLS (IRES) in conjunction with the Denver MLS (RECOLORADO), if deemed appropriate.

5.     Reverse prospecting: email blast to reverse prospect agents and personal touches to favorite and possibility matches.

6.     Luxury sign and signpost if permitted by HOA.

7.     High-quality color flyers.

8.     Floor plan printed for showings and included in online tour.

9.     A dedicated web URL and web site like www.123MainSt.com that is included on all printed materials and for which I create a custom sign.

10.  Open houses hosted by partners or myself as desired.

11.  Showing coordination assistance from ShowingTime.com, one of the premium showing services in the United States; enabling seamless showing coordination with agents and a high level of feedback.

12.  Electronic lockbox which changes codes daily, and logs what agents visited and when they visited.

13.  Contract addition which allows you to cancel it at any time, risk-free from any marketing costs I have spent.

14.  Contract addition which entitles you to the entirety of the earnest money should a deal fall through; usually the listing agent is entitled to half.

If you are interviewing other metro Denver real estate agents I challenge you to find one who offers all of this without the flat fee option, let alone with it.

What other services do I offer with my full service, flat fee Denver real estate model?

1. Price analysis

I advise you as to my belief of a realistic sales price and best list price.

2. Contract negotiation

I assist in the initial and ongoing contractual negotiations. The devil is in the details, and I help you understand how the terms of the contract will affect you. This includes positioning you to buy and sell a home simultaneously if desired.

3. No risk and no obligation

You can terminate your contract with me at any time, if you have not signed an agreement with a buyer. I do not want anybody stuck working with me. I take pride in my work and work as though I could lose my job tomorrow, if I don't do it today.

What are my duties to you as a full service, flat fee Denver Realtor?

  1. Promoting the interests of Seller with the utmost good faith, loyalty and fidelity; 
  2. Seeking a price and terms that are acceptable to Seller; and 
  3. Counseling Seller as to any material benefits or risks of a transaction that are actually known by Broker.

Broker must exercise reasonable skill and care for Seller, including but not limited to the following: 

  • Performing the terms of any written or oral agreement with Seller; 
  • Presenting all offers to and from Seller in a timely manner regardless of whether the Property is subject to a contract for Sale; 
  • Disclosing to Seller adverse material facts actually known by Broker; 
  • Advising Seller regarding the transaction and advising Seller to obtain expert advice as to material matters about which Broker knows but the specifics of which are beyond the expertise of Broker; 
  • Accounting in a timely manner for all money and property received; and 
  • Keeping Seller fully informed regarding the transaction. 

Broker must not disclose the following information without the informed consent of Seller:

  • That Seller is willing to accept less than the asking price for the Property; 
  • What the motivating factors are for Seller to sell the Property; 
  • That Seller will agree to financing terms other than those offered; 
  • Any material information about Seller unless disclosure is required by law or failure to disclose such information would constitute fraud or dishonest dealing; or 
  • Any facts or suspicions regarding circumstances that could psychologically impact or stigmatize the Property.