Discount Brokers

Realty Viewpoint: Discount Broker Leaves Sellers Stranded
by Blanche Evans
Rumors were flying last week that Iggy's House, a discount broker, is out of business. If they're not, they sure are acting like it. According to one of their clients, Janice Dowden, of Burleson, Texas, they aren't returning phone calls or emails.
That's put her in an uncomfortable position. She hired Iggy's House to list her home for zero commission. Now she's got a contract and wants the listing changed in the MLS to Pending, so other Realtors will know the status and not waste their time or gas showing her house.
Published in Realty Times July 7, 2008.
Read the entire article at:
http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20080707_realtyviewpoint.htm
MLS only and other discount brokerages provide a very limited service. The program may fit a few unique situations, but is very risky for most sellers.
We have a client attempting to move to Columbus from the northeast Ohio area who listed with a discount MLS service. They are very disappointed. They requested a broker tour of their home and no one at the listing company is responding to them.
You only get what you pay for. Be very careful when signing a listing agreement. If you don’t understand what you are signing or it seems “too good to be true” DON’T SIGN!

Local activity
As of July 18, 2008
Single family homes on the market 14,610
Average days on market 119
Closed sales single family YTD 9,872
Average days on market closed 108
Source: Columbus Board of Realtors MLS listings
Days on market has decreased slightly in the past 2 weeks. Number of sales to current active listings suggests a 10.4 month inventory.

RE/MAX Affiliates
The Lubinsky Team
Jim Lubinsky, Angela Williams & Jackie Cautela
614-766-5330 x119