Seller's FAQ
- Why does the hit counter go up each time we look at a photo? Can this be changed?
- Do I need the exposure of the MLS to sell my home?
- What if I want my property on the MLS?
- Some "flat fee MLS" marketers say that FSBO Madison is great for homebuyers in Dane County, but that people in other parts of the country/world don't know about you. Is this true?
- My home has been listed on FSBO Madison for only two days and yet there have been over 200 "hits" (visits) already. Why haven't I gotten any calls?
- Why are properties still listed after their closing date has passed?
- Who pays for title insurance?
Why does the hit counter go up each time we look at a photo? Can this be changed?
It is beyond our control. This function is related to the type of browser being used. Some browsers do not count each photo viewing and some do.
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Do I need the exposure of the MLS to sell my home?
Not if your property is in Dane County!
FSBO Madison has very high traffic, 11,000 visits per day in 2009. FSBO Madison ranks at the top of all the major search engines for Madison real estate related searches.
If a home buyer uses the web to find Madison properties for sale they're almost certain to find FSBO Madison first!
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What if I want my property on the MLS?
We are now offering flat fee MLS listings to our customers through Fair Fee Madison, 772-3535, for $150 for a six month listing (for new listings, existing listings cost up to $200; travel charges apply outside of Dane County). You can add this service at any time while your listing is active.
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Some "flat fee MLS" marketers say that FSBO Madison is great for homebuyers in Dane County, but that people in other parts of the country/world don't know about you. Is this true?
No, this is not true. (See the related question above) A buyer who was stationed in the military in Italy told us, via phone from Italy, that she watched the FSBO Madison website like a hawk and settled on a home in Columbus without even setting foot in it. She said that she could picture it well and had a good idea about the surrounding area because of the detailed and personalized information provided by the owner. The Internet will be seen by anyone in the WORLD who is looking for a home in the Dane County/Madison area and who types relevant search terms into their browser.
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My home has been listed on FSBO Madison for only two days and yet there have been over 200 "hits" (visits) already. Why haven't I gotten any calls?
A good many of those initial, early visits will be from real estate agents. In spite of our "terms of use" statement which clearly indicates that the properties listed on FSBO Madison are not to be used as a "mailing list", you will be solicited by realtors- both traditional and "discount". You will receive mailings, undoubtedly, hopefully nothing more intrusive. If so, please feel free to let us know, as we have been able to effectively deal with offending real estate agents in the past and will be glad act on your behalf, allowing you to remain anonymous.
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Why are properties still listed after their closing date has passed?
We have been asked, by appraisers, to leave properties on the site for one month. This gives them time to record the sales and obtain sales info from the city/county for use in doing comparables. The huge increase in fsbo sales over the past 8 years has made this task more challenging for them. We comply with their request unless an owner prefers the prompt removal of their property (which they can also do themselves.)
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Who pays for title insurance?
The short answer is that the seller pays for title insurance (owner's policy of title insurance) to meet the requirement of providing "merchantable title" to the buyer.
The buyer pays for title insurance that their lender requires to prove their status as first mortgage holder on the property being bought.
Per lines 342-345 of the WB-11 Residential Offer to Purchase form:
"Seller shall pay all costs of providing title evidence to Buyer. Buyer shall pay all costs of providing title evidence required by Buyers lender."
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