Village vs Outside Sales Agent

[Trish Crocker]

I understand the need to utilize both a Village agent and an MLS agent. The thing I am curious about is why do sellers use agents from MLS? Is there an advantage to the seller? How about for the buyer (other than being able to see what is listed with the MLS). What percentage of homes listed are by MLS agents? While looking at the various MLS sites, I find them to be less appealing and harder to use. The Villages site is easy and clear. I'm just trying to get a handle on everything before we actually make a purchase. Thanks!

Trish

[herbaru]

I understand the need to utilize both a Village agent and an MLS agent. The thing I am curious about is why do sellers use agents from MLS? Is there an advantage to the seller? How about for the buyer (other than being able to see what is listed with the MLS). What percentage of homes listed are by MLS agents? While looking at the various MLS sites, I find them to be less appealing and harder to use. The Villages site is easy and clear. I'm just trying to get a handle on everything before we actually make a purchase. Thanks!

Trish

Good questions, Trish. I am looking forward to the responses you get regarding why a person chooses to list with one vs. the other.

Two things that bug me about TV resales is they do not list the year the home was built or the model. The MLS listings have the year built and many name the model. Good luck in making your decision!

[handyman]

Trish you are in the same delima as we are except someone bought our home of 16 yrs.after 9days,we are trying to deal with both,but we were not prepared..............May have to go down and rrrent for a while ,But we will see you at the square,THEY told me the average house sale in our area was around 400 days............not complaining,just in shock at how quickley things have to happen now

[Trish Crocker]

Handyman, that is terrific!!! For some weird reason, I have read quite a few posts from people that sold their homes in 9 days...hmmm...hope we have the same luck. See you at the square!!

[Barefoot]

I understand the need to utilize both a Village agent and an MLS agent. The thing I am curious about is why do sellers use agents from MLS? Is there an advantage to the seller? How about for the buyer (other than being able to see what is listed with the MLS). What percentage of homes listed are by MLS agents? While looking at the various MLS sites, I find them to be less appealing and harder to use. The Villages site is easy and clear. I'm just trying to get a handle on everything before we actually make a purchase. Thanks!

Trish

In most cases, MLS agents charge 5% listing commission, and VLS (Village) agents charge 6%. Both VLS and MLS have resale listings, but only VLS can sell new homes.

We purchased our first TV home, a resale, through a MLS agent. However when we sold, we choose to list our home with VLS. I liked the exposure they offered, excellent web site, trolley rides, colour pictures, daily open houses, fabulous sales centre. Our VLS agent was great (and I'm picky because I used to be a real estate broker). I felt the extra 1% with VLS was worth it for a speedy sale.

[Bryan]

There is a feeling (but no proof) that the VLS agents sometimes favor the sale of new homes over pre-owned homes. After all, they do work for the developer so selling new homes is the priority of their employer and thus a serious consideration for them. That does not sit well with some so they chose a MLS agent. It is more of a personal preference, I think.

[RichieLion]

The VLS agent I used was really just great, and after 2 years I'm still in casual contact with him and he's always has been very helpful to me. Saying that; when I was looking for homes, he did steer me more toward the new homes, but I'm not sure if it was him or my wife's enthusiasm for a new home that predicated that.

Of the few who I asked at the time if there was any advantage with an MLS listing over VLS, the feeling I got was that their theory was that MLS agents would be more aggressive in selling their resale home, because in The Villages, that the only game in town for them.

[ariel]

We bought in June using an MLS agent. Had also used a VSL but, at the time, there seemed to be more CYV's available through MLS. Had a great agent who was very helpful throughout the whole process of closing at long distance, etc. Everything has worked well so far.

[billybye]

We used an MLS agent when purchasing because they were easier to put in offers with.
Our tv agent told us he did not want to put in an offer of less than 1 or 2% of asking prices - I think that was directed to him. Good for us now because it keeps the resale
prices competitive with new homes sometimess.
Our MLS agent showed us numerous homes and when we finally put in an offer at -10% asking price, waiting for a counter offer - they accepted offer.
MLS agents are more independent than tv sales people, who are more restricted in what they can do.
If we were selling (which we have no plans to do) we would probably try a tv agent first to try to get a higher price.

[mulligan]

You also have to consider that there are some among us that resent the developer's uncanny ability to make a buck on everything except the air you breathe (and he's probably working on that as we speak). I personaly think he's brilliant!!