Listing Real Estate in St George, Utah

 Realtors and buyers often work together without a written contract, but the opposite is true for realtors and sellers. On the listing side, written contracts are overwhelmingly the rule, not the exception. A listing agreement is a binding legal contract that shouldn't be taken lightly. The necessity of reading the contract carefully and understanding what it means before you sign it can't be overstated. If you need legal advice, consult an attorney.

Listing contracts vary considerably from place to place. However, most realtors use established listing agreement forms that are the de facto industry standard in their area or are dictated by their St George real estate brokerage company. Everything on these preprinted forms is negotiable.

Here are some basic terms to consider:

1. Term of the Agreement.
A longer agreement benefits the experienced St George real estate agent because it allows him or her more time to find a buyer for your home. In a weak market, that's okay, but if St George homes are selling quickly, you don't want to be committed to one experienced St George real estate agent for more than a few months. If the St George home doesn't sell within the initial period and you're satisfied with the experienced St George real estate agent's efforts, you can offer to extend the term of the agreement before it expires.

2. Commission.
Although commissions are negotiable, most areas have a standard percentage that experienced St George real estate agents expect to receive. This amount usually is 6 percent of the sales price, but you will find experienced St George real estate agents who accept 5 percent and experienced St George real estate agents who ask for 7 percent. Whether you want to pay the percentage that's typical in your area or negotiate a lower rate is up to you. A lower commission will save you money. A higher commission will give the experienced St George real estate agent more incentive to invest in marketing your home. Other experienced St George real estate agents can find out how much commission is offered on your St George home through the MLS. The experienced St George real estate agent's commission technically shouldn't be renegotiated as part of the purchase agreement between the seller and the buyer, but some experienced St George real estate agents will give a little to close a price gap between the seller and buyer, consequently making the transaction viable.

3. MLS.
A listing agreement typically authorizes your experienced St George real estate agent to post your St George home in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Unless you're selling a very exclusive St George home or have serious personal privacy concerns, the MLS is a no-brainer because it helps the experienced St George real estate agent market your St George home to the widest possible group of potential buyers. Today, most MLS databases are accessible by consumers on the Internet. The public does not have access to commission information on the listings.

4. Lockbox.
A lockbox is a tiny key-holding safe that can be inconspicuously attached to the front of your St George home. Any experienced St George real estate agent who has the means of accessing the lockbox (e.g., the key or combination) can retrieve the keys to your home, unlock your door and show your home to prospective buyers even when neither you nor your experienced St George real estate agent is present. If you're concerned about strangers entering your St George home alone, don't authorize a lockbox. If your St George home is vacant, located in a low-crime area or if you've removed your valuables and are willing to take the risk, a lockbox might be reasonable. The more people who see the St George home, the better chance you'll have of selling it for a favorable price.