Unlock the Secrets to Selling Your Home Affordably: Avoid These Costly Mistakes and Save Big!
What I'd like to talk about is something that affects every home seller - commissions, fees, and that hidden referral fee that eats into your home equity. I'll break this down as simply as if we were sitting and having a cup of coffee and talking about it over coffee.
Understanding Today's Real Estate Market in Our Local Area
So, first, let's take a look at how much houses are selling for here in our local area:
- Fort Walton Beach: Average home price $375,000
- Niceville: Average home price $450,000
- Shalimar: Average home price $425,000
- Navarre: Average home price $400,000
- Crestview: Average home price $325,000
The "Slice of the Cake" - Why Traditional Commissions Are So High
Consider your home sale as a cake. With traditional brokerages, here is how they divide up a $12,000 commission (on a $400,000 home):
- Referral Lead Payment: $4,200 (35% - the largest portion!)
- Brokerage Cut: $3,000 (25%)
- Franchise Fee: $720 (6%)
- Transaction Coordinator: $350 flat fee
- What's Left: Less than you think!
The Unseen Cost of Referral Companies - The Largest Portion Takers
When you click on big real estate sites or call numbers on TV ads, you're not talking to a local real estate agent. You're talking to a referral company that:
- Takes 35-45% of the total commission
- Sells your information to agents who purchased your contact details
- Makes agents retain more commission to cover these costs
Here's a real-life example:
Let's say you're selling a $400,000 home:
- Normal 3% sellers commission = $12,000.
- Referral company receives 35%, so that's $4,200 lost!
- It's as if you paid $4,200 for the ability to click a button or dial a phone
The New Rules - Greater Flexibility
Because we don't pay referral fees, we can offer more flexible options:
- Sellers can now offer buyer agent payment as part of negotiations.
- Important: It's a good idea not to negotiate a buyer's agent commission right away.
- Commissions are a negotiation of the deal.
- Your agent can teach you about payment options for the buyer.
Uber Real's Simple Options - Flexibility Without the Referral Fees!
All service levels come with these great features (because we don't pay referral fees):
- Professional photography
- 3D virtual tours
- Social media marketing
- MLS listing
- Complete paperwork handling
- Professional signs
- Lockbox service
- Scheduling software
Here's how our service levels work:
2% Full-Service Option
- You pay for inspections
- Same great service
- We're physically present for inspections and appraisals
- Full negotiation support
1% Done-With-You Option
- You handle inspections
- We provide remote support instead of physical presence
- Same full negotiation support
- Same consultation services
The Bottom Line - Your True Savings
Let's look at a $400,000 house:
- Traditional brokerage with referral fees: $12,000 (3%)
- Uber Real at 1%: $4,000
- Your possible savings: $8,000!
Why This Makes a Difference
By working directly with Uber Real:
- No referral fees eating into your equity
- Reduced commission rates because we don't pay referral companies
- More flexibility in how we can arrange your sale
- Direct communication with your local agent
- You'll receive top-notch service no matter which level you choose.
No matter if you choose our 1%, 2%, or 3% option, you'll receive the same expert help during the sale of your house - with no unexpected costs from referral fees. You decide how much help you require!
Do you want to know more about which option is best for you? Give us a call!
FAQs
Q: What are referral fees and how do they affect my home sale?
A: Referral fees are paid to third-party lead generators and can take up to 45% of your agent’s commission—costs that often get passed onto you.
Q: How does Uber Real save me money compared to traditional brokerages?
A: We don’t pay referral companies, so we pass those savings to you with flexible 1% or 2% commission plans and no hidden fees.
Q: Will I still get full service at a lower commission?
A: Yes! All our plans include professional photos, 3D tours, marketing, paperwork help, and expert negotiation—just at a fraction of the usual cost.
Q: What’s the difference between the 1% and 2% service levels?
A: With 2%, we attend inspections and appraisals in person. With 1%, you handle those and we support you remotely. Both include full listing and negotiation support.
Q: Why should I avoid clicking ads on big real estate sites?
A: Those clicks often route you to referral companies who sell your info and take a big cut of your agent's commission. Work direct and keep more of your equity.
