Frequently asked questions.

How does the flat fee listing work?

The flat fee listing is a full representation contract, but it is limited marketing. There is a discount because you will provide the pictures and it will go in the MLS (and all public home search websites, like Zillow.com, Realtor.com, Trulia.com and Homes.com. With the flat fee listing, you will pay a flat fee of $2,000 total: $500 will be collected and due upon listing contract signing as a non-refundable retainer fee, and the remaining $1500 will be collected at closing. If you don’t close on your home, you are not required to pay the $1500.


Are there any other fees?

With any listing/marketing plan, there are other closing costs associated with selling a property (home or land). Typical closing costs may include tax prorations, mortgage and lien payoffs, title insurance and search fees, delivery fees, and a TIEFF (transfer fee). During your initial consultation, your Blue Ribbon Realty agent will go over typical closing fees outside of the seller’s agent commission.

What about the buyer’s agent?

Beginning July 1, 2024, all Indiana real estate broker licensees were required to have a written contract in place with their client, whether it be a buyer or seller. NAR also had mandated changes to its rules regarding what must be in those contracts that had to be in place by August 17, 2024. REALTORS representing a buyer in Indiana must have a written Buyer Agency Agreement in place before showing a home. The amount a buyer’s agent gets paid is decided between buyer’s agent and buyer. The buyer may ask the seller to pay this amount, and a seller may still offer compensation to a buyer’s agent, but it is completely negotiable. If a seller wishes to offer compensation to a buyer’s agent, it is not allowed to be advertised on the MLS or other MLS products. A buyer may ask for their buyer’s agent fee to be paid by the seller in the terms of any offer, though.

For more information about buyers and sellers commissions and fees and the NAR settlement, click here.

Where will my house be listed online?

Each plan features MLS/ IDX integration. Your home will be entered into 2 different MLS (Multiple Listing Services): NIRA MLS and IRMLS. Both MLS databases send your listing to other websites through an IDX integration and an additional service we use called ListHub. You can expect your property to be on all the major public search portals, like Zillow.com, Realtor.com, and Homes.com. Your listing will also appear on 90+ websites, depending on the property type. Listings are shared through Broker Reciprocity on other real estate brokerage’s websites, too, including our own.

Can I cancel at anytime?

The flat fee listing option is a 6 month term. You can cancel this listing anytime, as long as you don’t already have an accepted offer. The $500 paid upfront is non-refundable. If you want to resign a new 6 month listing, it will be an additional $500. Only the flat fee listing option can be canceled anytime, not the 2.5% or 3.25% commission marketing plans.

Can I upgrade to a different listing plan?

You can upgrade from the flat fee listing option to another listing plan at any time.

What about price changes ?

Price changes can be made anytime with any marketing plan.

Who should try the flat fee listing?

A flat fee listing plan could be useful to a variety of sellers and circumstances:

  • Sellers who are not under a time constraint

  • Sellers who are looking to minimize closing costs

  • Sellers looking for a hybrid model of selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO)

  • Sellers that are able to accurately photograph their property

  • Sellers who do not believe they need additional marketing efforts to sell their home

  • Builders and Developers who need their properties in the MLS

  • Sellers who believe a home only needs to be in the MLS or a major home search site.

  • Properties in neighborhoods with a low DOM (Days on Market) and consistently selling over asking price

A flat fee listing plan may not be helpful under these circumstances:

  • A unique property or a home with many unique characteristics

  • A luxury property

  • Sellers who need to sell quickly

  • Sellers who may have complications involved with selling their home (possible short sale, foreclosure, multiple liens, known title issues)

  • A property suited for a small niche or pool of buyers, like lakefront property, a home in a gated subdivision or high profile HOA, or an agricultural property with multiple outbuildings (might require extra marketing)

What areas do you service?

See the bottom of the page for a list of counties and towns in Indiana. If you don’t see your location listed, please contact us and let us know where you live (we may have run out of room or are working to help in your area).

Do you offer e-signing services?

Yes, all plans offer e-signing services. Don’t forget, you will be treated equally with each listing/marketing plan. The only difference is the level and amount of marketing and advertising.