How Smart Fort Walton Beach Sellers Keep An Extra $25,000 (While Their Neighbors Overpay)

TL;DR - The Bottom Line

The Simple Math: Every $100,000 your house is worth = $1,000 per 1% in fees. So on a $500,000 house, each 1% = $5,000 of YOUR money.

Traditional agents charge 6% = $30,000 on a $500,000 house.

Jim's "Done FOR You" service: 4% typical = $20,000 (Save $10,000) Jim's "Done WITH You" service: 3% typical = $15,000 (Save $15,000) If buyer has no agent: Just 1% = $5,000 (Save $25,000)

Here's something nobody talks about: I've helped hundreds of families around Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, and Shalimar keep over a million dollars in unnecessary real estate fees since 2006.

That's money that stayed in their pockets instead of going to corporate offices in other states.

Want to know how? It starts with simple math nobody teaches you.

The Simple Math They Don't Want You to Know

Here's the easiest way to understand what you're really paying:

For every $100,000 your house is worth, each 1% in fees costs you $1,000.

So if your house is worth $500,000:

• Each 1% = $5,000 of YOUR equity

• 6% = $30,000 of YOUR money

• 5% = $25,000 of YOUR money

• 3% = $15,000 of YOUR money

See how fast it adds up?

One local seller told me: "Jim, when you put it that way, I couldn't believe I almost agreed to pay $30,000. That's more than I spent on my car!"

Why Don't Real Estate Agents Post Their Prices?

Walk into Walmart and every price is right there. $12.99 for that shirt. $3.47 for bread. No games, no "call for pricing."

But try finding out what a real estate agent charges before you hire them. Good luck.

A Fort Walton Beach seller told me: "Once I did the simple math in my head I figured I would be paying potentially an extra $24,000. I called Jim."

The Percentage Trick That Costs You Thousands

Here's why agents love talking percentages instead of dollars:

"Oh, it's just 6%" sounds small. "That'll be $30,000" sounds like what it really is - a lot of money.

Let me show you what this looks like on different house values:

$300,000 house:

• Traditional Brokerage 6% = $18,000 of your money

• "Done FOR You" 4% = $12,000 of your money - You save: $6,000

• "Done WITH You" 3% = $9,000 of your money - You save: $9,000

• Get lucky. Buyer has no agent 1% = $3,000 of your money - You save: $15,000

$400,000 house:

• Traditional Brokerage 6% = $24,000 of your money

• "Done FOR You" 4% = $16,000 of your money - You save: $8,000

• "Done WITH You" 3% = $12,000 of your money - You save: $12,000

• Get lucky. Buyer has no agent 1% = $4,000 of your money - You save: $20,000

$500,000 house:

• Traditional Brokerage 6% = $30,000 of your money

• "Done FOR You" 4% = $20,000 of your money - You save: $10,000

• "Done WITH You" 3% = $15,000 of your money - You save: $15,000

• Get lucky. Buyer has no agent 1% = $5,000 of your money - You save: $25,000

A Niceville homeowner put it best: "Every 1% I saved was $5,000 more in my pocket. That's real money for real things - like my granddaughter's college fund."

Every Extra Percent is $5,000 Out of Your Pocket

Think about it this way. On a $500,000 house:

• If someone charges 6% instead of 5%, that's $5,000 extra out of your pocket

• If someone charges 5% instead of 4%, that's another $5,000 gone

• If someone charges 4% instead of 3%, that's another $5,000 you don't get to keep

A Shalimar homeowner learned this lesson: "I wish someone had explained it this way before I sold my first house. I could've saved $10,000. That would've paid for my kitchen renovation!"

Two Ways to Save Your Money

Since 2006, I've offered two service models because not every seller needs the same thing:

"Done FOR You" - Full Service: I handle everything. You show up at closing.

• I attend all inspections and appraisals

• I handle all meetings and negotiations

• You pay 2% to me + whatever you want to offer the buyer's agent (I recommend 2%)

"Done WITH You" - Team Approach: You're my assistant, I'm still your agent.

• You help when someone needs to meet the inspector or appraiser to let them in

• You approve showings through an automated system with a simple yes or no to showing requests

• I handle all the legal and technical stuff

• You pay 1% to me + whatever you want to offer the buyer's agent (I recommend 2%)

Both ways, you can negotiate that buyer's agent fee or try to get the buyer to pay their own agent.

Don't Let Traditional Agents Take $5,000 Per Percent

Every month you wait to sell costs you money in mortgage payments, insurance, and utilities. But overpaying by even 1% costs you $5,000 on a $500,000 house.

Here's what a Shalimar homeowner told me: "My buddy used a traditional agent and paid 6%. I used Jim and saved 2%. That's $10,000 I got to keep. Ten thousand dollars! That paid for our entire move to our new house."

The Real Numbers on Your $500,000 House

Let me show you exactly what each percentage point costs you, and how my two service models work:

Traditional Agent: 6% total = $30,000 in fees Most Discount Agents: 5% total = $25,000 in fees

My "Done FOR You" Service: 2% + 2% to buyer's agent = 4% total = $20,000

• I handle everything - inspections, appraisals, all meetings

• You save $10,000 compared to traditional agents

My "Done WITH You" Service: 1% + 2% to buyer's agent = 3% total = $15,000

• You're my assistant and help where needed

• I handle all legal and technical stuff

• You save $15,000 compared to traditional agents

That difference goes straight into your pocket. And here's the best part - you can try to negotiate that buyer's agent fee down, or even get the buyer to pay their own agent. If the buyer comes without an agent, you only pay my fee.

On a $500,000 house with an unrepresented buyer:

• "Done FOR You": Just 2% = $10,000 total

• "Done WITH You": Just 1% = $5,000 total

Now we're talking real savings.

Why I Take a Limited Number of Listings Each Month

I take a limited number of listings per month because I want to give each seller personal attention. When you call, you talk to me. When you have questions, I answer them.

How many listings I can take depends on how many I have at the moment and whether I can devote the proper time to my existing customers. But if you can wait a week or two, I'll see when I can work you in.

The personal service is worth the short wait.

Your Math is Simple - Pick Your Service Level

Every 1% you overpay = $5,000 less in your pocket

On a $500,000 house:

• Traditional agent (6%) = $30,000 in fees

• My "Done FOR You" (4% typical) = $20,000 in fees = Save $10,000

• My "Done WITH You" (3% typical) = $15,000 in fees = Save $15,000

And if the buyer doesn't have an agent:

• "Done FOR You" = just 2% = $10,000 total = Save $20,000

• "Done WITH You" = just 1% = $5,000 total = Save $25,000

How much of YOUR equity are you willing to give away when you have options?

Use This Simple Trick to Calculate What You'll Pay

Here's the simple math I just taught you:

Take your home's value and divide by 100. That's what each 1% costs you.

$300,000 house ÷ 100 = $3,000 per 1% $400,000 house ÷ 100 = $4,000 per 1% $500,000 house ÷ 100 = $5,000 per 1%

Now you can figure out what any agent's fee will really cost you in real dollars, not just percentages.

No games. No surprises. Just simple math so you can make a smart decision.

Call me today to discuss which service model works for you: (850) 499-2940

If you're ready to sell your Fort Walton Beach home, Niceville property, or Shalimar house with a discount realtor who saves you thousands, let's talk about listing your house.

But don't wait. Every month you delay costs money, and my availability depends on current listings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the difference between "Done FOR You" and "Done WITH You" service? A: "Done FOR You" means I handle everything - you show up at closing. "Done WITH You" means you help with simple tasks like letting in inspectors and approving showings through an automated system, while I handle all legal and technical work.

Q: How much do you charge as a discount realtor in Fort Walton Beach? A: "Done FOR You" is 2% for my services. "Done WITH You" is 1% for my services. I recommend 2% to the buyer's agent, but you can negotiate that or try to get the buyer to pay their own agent.

Q: What if the buyer doesn't have an agent? A: Then you only pay my fee - either 2% (Done FOR You) or 1% (Done WITH You). On a $500,000 house, that's either $10,000 or $5,000 total instead of $30,000 with traditional agents.

Q: Do you serve Niceville and Shalimar homes for sale? A: Yes, I've been selling homes in Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, and Shalimar for 20 years. I know these markets inside and out.

Q: How many listings do you take per month? A: I take a limited number to give each seller personal attention. When you call, you talk to me directly. If I'm at capacity, you might wait a week or two, but the personal service is worth it.

Q: Can I really save $15,000-$25,000 on my home sale? A: On a $500,000 house, absolutely. Traditional agents charge 6% ($30,000). My "Done WITH You" service is typically 3% ($15,000), saving you $15,000. If the buyer has no agent, you pay just 1% ($5,000), saving you $25,000.

Q: What's included in your real estate services? A: Everything a traditional agent does - pricing analysis, marketing, negotiations, paperwork, and closing coordination. The difference is transparent pricing and you keeping more of your equity.

Q: How do I calculate what I'll pay in real estate fees? A: Simple: Take your home value, divide by 100, then multiply by the percentage. Example: $400,000 ÷ 100 = $4,000 per 1%. So 6% = $24,000, 3% = $12,000.

Q: Are you licensed in Florida? A: Yes, I'm a licensed Florida real estate broker with 20 years of experience selling Northwest Florida homes. I've helped hundreds of families keep over $1 million in unnecessary fees.

Q: How quickly can you list my house? A: Depends on my current listings and whether I can give you proper attention. Usually within a week or two. Call (850) 499-2940 to check availability.

P.S. - Remember: On a $500,000 house, every 1% = $5,000 of YOUR money. Do the math before you sign anything.

Jim Whatley
Discount Realtor - Uber Realty
Fort Walton Beach, Niceville & Shalimar Real Estate
20 Years Selling Northwest Florida Homes
Over $1 Million Kept in Sellers' Pockets
Phone: (850) 499-2940
Email: jim@uberrealty.com

P.S. - Remember: On a $500,000 house, every 1% = $5,000 of YOUR money. Do the math before you sign anything.