Selling your home with a Flat Fee MLS listing allows you to maximize exposure, save on commission fees, and stay in control of your home sale—all while benefiting from professional brokerage support.
This FAQ section answers the most common questions about how Flat Fee MLS works, what to expect, and how DMT Realty Broker helps California homeowners navigate the process. Whether you’re wondering about listing on the MLS, managing offers, or reducing costs compared to traditional brokerages, you’ll find everything you need here.
🔎 Looking for a step-by-step guide?
➡️ Follow our Flat Fee MLS Home Selling Checklist to ensure your home is fully prepared, listed, and positioned for broad market exposure.
Section 1: Understanding flat fee MLS & its benefits
🟥 What are the benefits of Flat Fee MLS listings with DMT Realty Broker?
Our Flat Fee MLS model enables sellers to list their homes on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) with transparent upfront pricing. By eliminating traditional percentage-based listing commissions, sellers can reduce costs while still gaining broad market exposure.
🟥 Does choosing a Flat Fee MLS listing mean compromising on service?
No. Our service provides MLS listing exposure, contract assistance, and direct client support. Sellers still receive professional guidance without paying traditional agent commission percentages.
🟥 Why can independent brokers charge lower fees than large brokerages?
Unlike franchise brokerages that pay franchise fees, office rent, and commission splits, we operate independently—allowing us to structure alternative pricing options that help sellers reduce costs while maximizing exposure.
Section 2: How the flat fee MLS process works
🟥 How does the Flat Fee MLS home-selling process work?
Our Flat Fee MLS Home Selling Checklist walks you through the entire process—from preparing your home and finalizing paperwork to marketing, offer negotiation, and closing.
đź“Ś Follow our step-by-step guide:
âś… Learn how to get your home MLS-ready
âś… Understand required paperwork & disclosures
âś… Maximize buyer interest & exposure
➡️ View the Flat Fee MLS Home Selling Checklist
🟥 How long does my home stay on the MLS?
Your listing remains active on the MLS for the full listing period of your chosen plan. In California, typical residential listing agreements range from three to six months, though they can be shorter (ie, 30 days) or longer depending on the agreement. If your home doesn’t sell within the listing period, you have the option to renew for an extended term.
🟥 Do I have to pay a buyer’s agent commission?
No, sellers are not required to pay a buyer’s agent commission, and the best starting point is zero. However, since many buyers work with agents who use the MLS, some sellers consider offering compensation as a strategy to attract more interest. Any commission must be negotiated outside the MLS, directly between the seller, buyer, and their agents, in accordance with the national NAR settlement.
🟥 What is a buyer’s agent commission?
The buyer’s agent commission is the payment made to the agent representing the buyer. It typically ranges from 2% to 3% of the sale price and covers the agent’s role in finding the property, negotiating terms, and handling paperwork.
🟥 Can I offer a buyer’s agent commission?
Yes, but you are not required to offer a buyer’s agent commission, and the best starting point is zero. As a seller, you have full control over whether to offer compensation and how much. While some sellers choose to offer a reduced rate (1-2%) or a flat amount to attract buyers’ agents, commissions must be negotiated outside the MLS between the seller, buyer, and their respective agents.
📢 Want to see how much you can save? California Flat Fee MLS Pricing & Savings
Section 3: Managing showings, offers & negotiation
🟥 Do I need to host my own showings?
No, DMT Realty Broker coordinates and schedules showings, making it easy for buyers to view your home while respecting your schedule.
🟥 What happens after I receive an offer?
đź“Ś Step 1: Review the Offer
âś” The buyer submits a written purchase contract, including price, terms, and contingencies.
âś” Our brokerage reviews the offer and provides insights on pricing & negotiation strategies.
đź“Ś Step 2: Negotiation & Counteroffers
âś” You can accept, reject, or submit a counteroffer.
âś” If multiple offers come in, we help you analyze the best deal based on price & terms.
đź“Ś Step 3: Contract & Escrow Process
âś” Once an offer is accepted and the purchase agreement is signed, the buyer submits Earnest Money to escrow.
âś” The home enters contingency periods for inspections, appraisals & financing approvals.
âś” Our team helps coordinate closing documents & final negotiations.
đź“Ś Step 4: Closing the Sale
âś” Buyer removes contingencies, final loan approval is obtained, and escrow closes.
âś” Once escrow is completed, ownership is transferred, and you receive your sale proceeds.
📢 Need help understanding offers? Get Broker Assistance with Offer Negotiation.
Section 4: How brokerage costs impact home sellers
🟥 How do brokerage operating costs impact commission rates?
Some real estate brokerages have various operating expenses that may influence their commission-based pricing models. These costs can include franchise fees, royalty fees, and commission splits, which may be factored into the listing commissions that home sellers pay.
🟥 Is DMT Realty Broker required to pay franchise fees?
No, DMT Realty Broker is an independent brokerage and does not pay franchise fees. Some brokerages operate under a franchise model, where offices pay fees to a national brand for marketing, branding, and operational support.
🟥 What are royalty fees, and is DMT Realty Broker required to pay them?
Royalty fees are ongoing payments that some brokerages make to a parent franchise, often calculated as a percentage of an agent’s sales. DMT Realty Broker is an independent brokerage and is not part of a franchise system, so it does not pay royalty fees.
🟥 Does DMT Realty Broker have commission splits?
No, DMT Realty Broker does not have commissioned agents or require commission splits. Some brokerages require agents to share a percentage of their commission with the brokerage, which may influence commission rates for sellers.
🟥 Does DMT Realty Broker have a physical office location?
Yes, DMT Realty Broker maintains a physical office location in California, as required by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE). Our office operates from a home-based location, which allows us to avoid the high costs of large commercial office spaces. By reducing overhead expenses, we can pass these savings directly to home sellers through our flat-fee pricing model.
🟥 How does DMT Realty Broker structure its pricing?
DMT Realty Broker offers a flat-fee pricing model. Instead of percentage-based listing commissions, sellers pay a set fee while receiving MLS listing, broker support, and transaction coordination.
A cost-effective approach to home selling
DMT Realty Broker’s pricing model is structured differently from many commission-based brokerages. By operating without franchise fees, royalty fees, office rent, and commission splits, we offer a flat-fee pricing structure designed to provide home sellers with cost predictability while still receiving brokerage services.
This approach allows sellers to list their homes on the MLS and receive broker support without percentage-based listing commissions. With transparent pricing, sellers know exactly what they’re paying upfront, helping them make informed financial decisions about their home sale.