Real Questions, Real Answers. Real Estate, Reinvented.
Because yes, we only charge 1%. No, that’s not a typo. And absolutely you’ll get Pro-Photos, MLS exposure, and Licensed support.
📋 Listing Process
How Long Does it Take to Get Listed?
Once the 1% listing agreement is signed and the $500 signup is processed, we hit the ground running; no coffee break, no delays.
How it usually goes:
- 📸 Photographer booked within 48 hours (sometimes faster if the stars align)
- 🖼️ Photos delivered about 36 hours later (because magic takes a minute)
- 💥 Listing goes live shortly after that (MLS + Zillow + Realtor + Redfin = liftoff)
All in? Roughly 4 days from payment to launch. But if you’re ready to move faster, so are we. Blink and you might already be listed.
It’s like lighting a marketing firework, stand back and enjoy the show. 🎇
Is the $500 Media Package Mandatory? Can I Use My Own Photos?
The $500 payment is mandatory and yes you can use your own photos. However while we admire your National Geographic-level wildlife shots and perfectly staged family portraits, selling a home is a different beast.
Here’s the thing: PHOTOS SELL HOMES, NOT REALTORS. In a world where buyers scroll through listings faster than TikToks, first impressions matter and first impressions happen online. That’s why our $500 media package packed with professionally shot, high-resolution images and 2 virtually staged images isn’t optional; It’s essential. It includes stunning, high-quality images that make your home shine in a sea of listings.
We want your home to stop thumbs in their tracks. Trust us, this is one area where hiring pro isn’t just smart, it’s profitable.
Why is it Important I List My Property On the MLS?
Because that’s where the action is. Around 90 – 95% of homes in the U.S. are sold by real estate agents and the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is their go-to marketplace. It’s not just where agents look for homes, it’s also where serious buyers are searching.
Even more importantly, listing on the MLS is what gets your property broadcast across the internet. Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and dozens of other real estate sites pull directly from the MLS. So by listing there, you’re not just in the game you’re everywhere buyers are looking.
What is the MLS?
The MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is a centralized database where real estate agents list properties for sale or rent. It plays a vital role in residential real estate by promoting cooperation and information sharing among agents and brokers. The MLS is also the primary source from which property listings are syndicated to major real estate websites across the internet. Ie. Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia, etc..
Can I List on Zillow or Realtor.com without List With Liaison? Can Anybody List on the MLS?
Yes you can list directly on Zillow as a homeowner. But that’s just one platform in a vast sea of homebuyers.
Realtor.com, on the other hand, does not allow direct listings from owners. Same goes for the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), which is an agent-only database. Only licensed brokers can post listings there meaning the most powerful marketing tools in real estate are technically off-limits if you’re selling solo.
That’s where List With Liaison comes in. We list your home on the MLS for you without taking over the sale. You still represent yourself, keep control, and skip the 6% commission. In return, your listing gets syndicated across Zillow, Realtor.com, and 750+ other real estate websites.
What are the Requirements for Having a Real Estate ‘For Sale’ Sign?
There are no national requirements, but there may be local or Homeowners Association (HOA) rules regarding the use of ‘For Sale’ signs.
Some properties don’t even allow ‘For Sale’ signs, so it’s a good idea to check with your local regulations. In truth, ‘For Sale’ signs are a traditional tool used by listing agents, which is largely unnecessary in today’s digital world.
What Happens When my MLS Listing Expires?
At List With Liaison, we don’t nickel-and-dime our clients or hit you with surprise fees. That’s why we offer free listing extensions for any MLS listings nearing expiration. Unlike some competitors who charge you again after the standard 6-month term, we stick to a one-time flat fee even if your home takes a little longer to sell. We’re here to support your sale, not rush it.
That said, if your home hasn’t sold within six months, we highly recommend scheduling a fresh consultation to review potential challenges and explore new strategies for getting it sold.
How can I Market My Home Without a Realtor?
That’s the beauty of working with List With Liaison we handle the heavy lifting for you.
Your home doesn’t just go on the MLS; it’s automatically syndicated to Realtor.com, Zillow, Trulia, Redfin, and over 750+ real estate websites, giving your listing massive exposure without lifting a finger.
So while you’re not working with a traditional agent, your listing still gets top-tier visibility without the top-tier commission.
How Can I Stay Compliant With MLS Rules?
While List With Liaison is designed to empower you with a do-it-yourself approach, we’ve built in smart guidance to keep you compliant every step of the way.
From the moment you begin preparing your listing, our platform walks you through key requirements like photo rules, property descriptions, and timelines to help you avoid common compliance pitfalls.
Even better, we’ll send timely alerts and reminders (like when it’s time to update or close your listing), so you never miss a beat.
And of course, if anything feels unclear, we’re just a text away ready to answer questions, clarify rules, and keep you confidently on track.
It’s the best of both worlds: maximum exposure, minimal cost, and total control. You’re basically running the show with a professional crew backstage making sure the lights stay on.
What’s the Best Day to Publish Listings on the MLS?
While there isn’t any definitive answer for the best day to list, some studies have shown that Thursday could be the most effective day to post listings.
By posting on Thursday, the listing will go live on Friday (and send out notifications), which then gives potential buyers the opportunity to come and see the home over the weekend. However, if you can’t list on Thursday, it doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily see less interest; you just may not receive offers as quickly.
⏰ Scheduling & Showings
What About Scheduling Showings for Buyers to Tour My House?
You still have a life and we get it. We do too!
That’s why we’ve made showings as seamless as possible. List With Liaison syncs your listing with the MLS showing time platform, allowing buyer agents to request tours without flooding your inbox. You won’t have to lift a finger except maybe to tap “approve.”
Here’s how you stay in control:
- Get a heads-up before every showing request.
- Approve, decline, or suggest a better time, it’s your home, your schedule.
- Choose your preferred notice window: two hours, next day, or anything in between.
We’ll handle the logistics. You handle the light cleaning and maybe light a candle. Maximum exposure, minimal disruption.
We’ll walk through your showing preferences during your consultation call to ensure everything runs smoothly and works around your life, not the other way around.
That said, not everything runs through the platform.
Sometimes buyers will reach out to you directly, and not all agents are tech-savvy (yes, even in 2025). In those cases, you may need to coordinate manually by text, phone, or email. If it’s a direct buyer with no agent, even better it could mean big savings by skipping the buyer agent commission altogether.
Will My Phone Number or Email Show Publicly? Will I Get Inquiries Directly?
Your info stays private on public sites, and yes, real inquiries still reach you fast. This is where List With Liaison works some of its subtle magic. Like a savvy operator behind the scenes, List With Liaison elegantly intercepts buyer inquiries texts, emails, even phone calls and seamlessly hands them off to you. It’s not just automation, it’s orchestration. One moment they’re browsing, the next they’re talking to you. Effortless, intelligent, and efficient.
- Public websites: Your personal phone and email are not shown. Portals like Zillow and Realtor.com display the listing broker’s contact by rule.
- MLS and ShowingTime: Your contact is shown in Broker Remarks and ShowingTime, which are visible to licensed agents only.
- Routing: We automatically forward buyer inquiries from portals, calls, and emails straight to you in real time, so you connect quickly without exposing your number.
- Upside: Fewer tire-kickers, more privacy, same speed to the conversation.
Bottom line: protected in public, reachable where it counts.
How do I Host an Open House Without a Realtor?
If your homeowners association allows open houses, List With Liaison has your back. On a case-by-case basis, we’ll provide a licensed agent to be physically present during the event. This is one of the rare times you’ll spot a List With Liaison agent in the wild unless we make a surprise appearance at closing (it happens… occasionally… and it’s always dramatic in the best way).
That said, prepping your home is still your show.
Here’s what to focus on:
- Clean like company’s coming – Because they are.
- Hide the personal stuff – Family photos, laundry piles, and your kids’ macaroni art? Tuck them away, along with anything valuable or distracting. Help buyers picture themselves living there.
- Nose knows – First impressions start with scent. Fresh, neutral aromas = good. Last night’s fish tacos = not so good.
List With Liaison takes care of the open house announcements and promotion. You just handle the on-site hosting like a pro.
Pro tip: Host on a Saturday, ideally after going live on Thursday. It creates momentum and attracts serious traffic when interest is hottest.
What Should I Do with My Pets During a Showing?
Remove them from the property whenever possible. NEVER leave them out or loose.
💰 Offers & Negotiations
How Do I Vet a Buyer When Selling Without a Realtor?
When you’re selling your home without an agent, vetting potential buyers is essential to avoid wasting time or entering into a risky contract. Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Request Proof of Funds:
If the buyer is paying in cash, ask for a recent bank statement or a letter from their financial institution confirming they have the funds available. - Ask for a Mortgage Pre-Approval Letter:
For financed buyers, a pre-approval letter from their lender is a must. You’re well within your rights to call the lender and verify the letter’s legitimacy. - Request a DU (Desktop Underwriter) Approval:
If you want an added layer of verification, ask the buyer’s lender for a DU Approval. This document includes details like credit scores, assets, and income giving you a clearer picture of their financial readiness
Vetting buyers doesn’t require a license just a little due diligence. And of course, if you ever feel uncertain, your List With Liaison agent is just a call, text, or email away to guide you through it.
What Happens to Earnest Money Deposits at Closing?
The handling of earnest money is typically outlined in the purchase agreement. In most cases, the deposit is applied to the buyer’s cash to close often going toward the down payment or closing costs.
If the buyer terminates the contract without breaching its terms, they may be entitled to a refund of the deposit. However, if they violate the agreement, the seller may be entitled to keep the deposit as compensation for lost time and opportunity.
Each situation is unique, and any disputes or questions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in collaboration with our legal team and the title company to ensure a fair and lawful outcome.
How Long Does a Real Estate Transaction Take to Close Once Under Contract?
The timeline depends on the terms outlined in the contract, but most real estate transactions close within 30 to 45 days after going under contract.
If the buyer is financing the purchase with a mortgage, the process can take longer due to lender requirements like appraisals and underwriting. Cash buyers, on the other hand, often close much faster since they skip those steps sometimes shaving off weeks.
If your sale is time-sensitive, there are strategies to help expedite closing. As with most things in real estate, clear communication is key. Let your List With Liaison agent know your timeline and expectations, and we’ll craft a plan to help you hit your goals with confidence.
🤝 Buyer Agent Commissions
Am I Legally Required to Pay a Buyer’s Agent Commission?
Nope, as of the recent NAR regulation changes, you are not legally obligated to offer a commission to the buyer’s agent.
How Much Should I Offer?
While it’s now optional, we recommend offering 2.5%. Why? Because buyer agents still expect compensation and if they’re not being paid, they may steer buyers toward other listings. It will ultimately come down to a case-by-case basis, we can test 2.0% if traffic is strong. In the end it’s your decision and the buyer may be able to cover for their agent the difference as it should be negotiated between them at the beginning of their process. Fair or not, it’s the reality (for now).
Why Should I Pay Their Agent at All?
Good question. Buyer agents often spend months sometimes over a year helping buyers prep, finance, and search before they even tour your place. If they bring a ready, willing, and able buyer to your door, offering a commission keeps them engaged and working for the sale not against it.
What if I Don’t Offer Anything?
That’s your choice, but be aware: you might lose out on serious buyers simply because their agents won’t push your home if there’s no payout. That can mean fewer showings and fewer offers. It’s not personal; it’s just how the industry still works… for now.
Can the Buyer Contribute?
Yes. In many deals the buyer can cover some or all of their agent’s fee through price or concessions, subject to lender rules.
Smart ways to do it:
- Price lift + seller credit: Raise the purchase price and use a credit to fund the fee so your net stays the same.
- Buyer pays directly: If their buyer-broker agreement allows, the buyer can pay their agent at closing.
- Split it: You offer 1.5 to 2.0%, the buyer covers the rest.
We will structure it cleanly in the offer, MLS, and Closing Disclosure so it clears underwriting. Plan to be ready to cover a portion, then negotiate to shift as much as the deal allows.
How Does List With Liaison Help Me Save Money Anyway?
We charge just 1% plus a $500 media package to list and support your home sale not the 2.5 to 3% traditional listing agents charge. That means you stay competitive by offering a buyer agent commission if you want, but still walk away with more equity.
⚖️ Legal & Contracts
What Documents and Legal Agreements Do I Need to Sell My House?
At List With Liaison, we don’t just hand you a “For Sale” sign and wish you luck we arm you with every document and legal template you’ll need to close the deal like a pro. Our sellers get free, unlimited access to a robust library of transaction-ready forms. And while other flat-fee brokerages disappear the moment you sign up, we’re just a text, email, or phone call away. Think of us as your behind-the-scenes real estate secret weapon minus the ego and the hourly fees.
What is an Appraisal When Selling a House?
An appraisal is when a licensed third-party appraiser evaluates your property typically during a buyer’s financing process, and often after the inspection period. The appraiser assesses the condition of your home and compares it to similar properties in the area to determine its fair market value.
While List With Liaison offers experienced agents and AI tools to help prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), we strongly recommend hiring a professional appraiser before listing. It’s the most accurate way to price your home competitively and avoid surprises down the line.
Need help finding a trusted local appraiser? We’ve got connections just ask!
Who Pays the Closing Costs When Selling a House by Owner?
Typically, these costs are negotiated ahead of time between the buyer and seller, and these terms are laid out clearly in the contract.
To get an idea of what the costs might look like for your property, consider checking out our [Net Sheet Calculator], which can help estimate what the closing costs of your home will be.
How Can You Avoid Closing Costs When Selling a House?
The short answer? You can’t completely avoid closing costs. Some like government transfer fees are legally required, much like a sales tax on the sale of your home (often referred to as a Transfer Tax).
But here’s the good news: you can reduce your closing costs significantly especially when it comes to real estate commissions. That’s where List With Liaison makes a difference. Instead of charging the typical 5 to 6% commission, we offer a fair, flat fee for our services. The result? You keep more of your home’s equity where it belongs: in your pocket.
What are the Consequences for Home Sellers Who Back Out of Contracts?
Backing out of a signed real estate contract can carry serious legal and financial consequences but the specifics depend on the terms of the agreement. Since every contract is different, the penalties for breaching one will be clearly outlined in the document itself.
If you’re considering canceling a sale or want to better understand your obligations, we strongly recommend speaking with a real estate attorney. Need one? We’re happy to connect you with a trusted local legal expert.
🏷️ Flat-Fee MLS Explained
What are the Pros of Using Flat Fee MLS Services?
You mean, besides the ridiculous savings? 😎
Using a flat fee MLS listing service when selling your home gives you the upper hand in more ways than one. Here’s why savvy sellers love it:
- 💸 No hefty agent commission – Skip the traditional 5% to 6% and keep that equity in your pocket
- 🛠️ Full control of your sale – You call the shots from listing to closing
- 💬 You set the price and negotiate the deal
- 🧩 Pay only for the services you actually need – no bloated packages or hidden fees
- 💰 Huge savings compared to full-service agents
- 🌐 Maximum exposure – Your listing goes on the MLS and is syndicated to major real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin
- ⏱️ Faster listing turnaround – Get your property live on the market quickly
- 📊 Stay informed and empowered – Access buyer feedback, market data, and showing reports
- 🧘 Peace of mind – Get expert support when you need it, minus the pressure
What are the Cons of Using Flat-Fee MLS Services?
With most flat-fee MLS services, you’re essentially acting as your own real estate agent. That means you’ll need to invest your own time into tasks like showings, negotiations, coordinating paperwork, trading effort for savings. For experienced sellers, this can be a worthwhile tradeoff. But for those new to the process, it can feel overwhelming without proper support.
That’s where List With Liaison stands apart.
We’re not your typical flat-fee service. Backed by a collective 35 years of real estate experience, our team is here when you need us via text, phone, or email. Better yet, every seller gets a dedicated licensed agent to guide the transaction from start to finish, we help streamline the entire process.
So yes, flat-fee MLS services can come with tradeoffs, but with List With Liaison, you get the savings and the support.
Am I considered a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) if I List With Liaison?
Technically, no but we’re in the same neighborhood. While you’ll enjoy the savings and control that FSBO sellers typically have, listing with List With Liaison means you also get professional licensed support and full MLS exposure something traditional FSBOs don’t.
The difference? You’re not flying solo. Think of us as your co-pilot: we bring the marketing muscle, AI tech, the paperwork wizardry and the seasoned guidance to help you navigate the transaction. You’re still in control, but we’re right there with the GPS, snacks, and a playlist of pro tips, making sure everything runs smoothly.
So, it’s like FSBO… upgraded (FSBO with Benefits). You keep the freedom, skip the 6% commission, and gain a team that’s got your back every step of the way.
💵 Pricing & Policies
Do You Have the Lowest Price Guarantee?
Nope and we’re not trying to.
What we do offer is the best value: exceptional customer service, a streamlined flat-fee process, and expert licensed support that actually shows up and answers when you need it. Our pricing is simple: 1% plus $500 for a professional media package no hidden fees, no games.
Many of those “cheaper” services? They’ll nickel-and-dime you for listing changes, photo uploads, agreement extensions, or even basic support. Some won’t respond to emails for days (if ever), and only during business hours if that.
So when you’re comparing providers, don’t just look at the sticker price.
Do You Charge a Fee to the Buyer or Buyer’s Agent at Closing?
Absolutely not. We never charge a fee to the buyer or their agent.
The only compensation we receive is our 1% success fee, plus a portion of the $500 media package you pay upfront. That’s it no gimmicks, no hidden fees, no surprises.
With List With Liaison, what you see is exactly what you get: straightforward pricing, total transparency, and full support from start to sold.
What Is Your Cancellation Policy?
If you cancel before your home is listed, you may be eligible for a refund but please act fast. We move quickly to schedule and process your media package, so cancellations must happen almost immediately to qualify.
If your property has already been listed, the terms of the listing agreement apply. We have a minimum 90-day contract. That said, we understand that life happens, and if circumstances change, we’re happy to review your situation on a case-by-case basis.