Full Service Real Estate Agent vs. Limited Service, What’s The Difference?

October 5, 2011 Full Service Real Estate Agent vs. Limited Service, What’s The Difference?

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Exactly what is a full service real estate agent compared a limited service agent?  A full service agency offers a range of services that assumes most of the responsibility when selling your home.  These services include:

1.  Your home will be listed on one or more local multiple listing services.

2.  Marketing and advertising your home.

3.  Obtaining feedback and keeping the sellers informed.

4.  Negotiating.

5.  Smooth flow of paperwork (this is more important that most people think)

6.  Continual analysis of your current market.

7.  Initial pricing and continual updating on competition.

A limited service agency typically provides:

1.  Listing on a multiple listing service.

2.  Advertising on web sites.

Limited service agencies will sometimes have “step up plans” that offer more services, but for an additional fee.

What agency is best for you?  Remember that either type of agency will get your home sold.  It really comes down overall to 2 questions you the home seller needs to answer.

First Question:  How much work do you want to take on?  Are you comfortable showing your own home, negotiating, working through the paperwork and the legal requirements.  They are NOT insurmountable but can be daunting and frustrating.

Second Question:  You must be TOTALLY objective when pricing your home and you must have the resources to get information about your local market to stay competitive and get your home sold.  Without being properly priced or realistic about changing your price the chances of selling your home diminish quickly.  Don’t misunderstand me, you must be realistic either way but with a full service agency your real estate agent will give you continual feedback and guide to a price point that will get your home sold.

To sum it up, as a home seller either agency type will work.  I have heard real estate agents say that if you use limited service you will typically get less for your home than using a full service agency.  I have not found that to be the case.  There are home sales that I have seen sell below the range for a given market with a limited service agency but I have also found the same to be true when a full serice agency was used.  Conversely, I have also found sales that use limited service agencies that have sold at the upper range.  As I have summarized above you the home seller needs to answer the above 2 questions and then decide what best fits you.

If you have sold your home recently let me know how you made out with either a full service or limited service agency.

About the author:  The above real estate information on “Full Service Real Estate Agent vs. Limited Service, What’s the Difference?” was provided by Scott Carter.  Scott can be reached via e-mail at s.carter@c21carter.com or by phone at 1-877-221-8787.

Thinking of buying or selling a home?  We are a full service real estate agency.  Call me for a consultation about our market area and home values.

I service the following counties in New Jersey:  Somerset, Mercer, Middlesex and Hunterdon.

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