[Sportster]

Getting close to making a decision and we're curious as to what folks are thinking and doing given all the changes in the real estate business.

Who sells more existing homes VLS or MLS?

Success rate (and time on market) is key if you are using funds from one home to complete the next.

[retiredguy123]

Personally, I would give VLS the first chance to sell my house, but I would not give them a six month listing. It would be 90 days max and I would reserve the right to fire them at any time that I lost confidence in them. After 90 days, I would switch to an MLS agent for another 90 days. For any listing, I would use a very experienced agent and they would need to provide a written plan for marketing the house. I would never sign a boilerplate listing contract without reading it and negotiating terms that I did not like. Too many people think they need to sign whatever listing contract the agent presents to them. Also, whenever I have sold a house, the agent would ask me how much I wanted for the house. My answer was always, "you are the professional, you tell me what it is worth."

[MX rider]

When we sold our house about a year ago to move to a bigger one, we used MLS. Our realtor is experienced, honest and very professional. She worked her a** off for us. I think she did an open house every week, sometimes twice a week.

Kandis Buse is your Realty Executives Villages specialist, for all your real estate needs

[Topspinmo]

Market flooded right now, majority houses aren’t moving very fast. IMO villages sales more interested in selling new house beings they had exclusive no competition market. In my area seen VLS listed homes sit just as long as MLS homes. I would be more concerned the rate they charge, but that’s me. I also wouldn’t let them (who ever you chose) talk you into bunch of upgraded? I doubt you get money back and most resales the new owners tear out or repaint what they want. House close was good example the sellers spent 40 to 50K on enclosing lani and painting. Maybe got half that back. Then, new owners turned around repainted and redone lani spending another 40K plus.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Market flooded right now, majority houses aren’t moving very fast. IMO villages sales more interested in selling new house beings they had exclusive no competition market. In my area seen VLS listed homes sit just as long as MLS homes. I would be more concerned the rate they charge, but that’s me. I also wouldn’t let them (who ever you chose) talk you into bunch of upgraded? I doubt you get money back and most resales the new owners tear out or repaint what they want. House close was good example the sellers spent 40 to 50K on enclosing lani and painting. Maybe got half that back. Then, new owners turned around repainted and redone lani spending another 40K plus.

I agree. I wouldn't do any upgrades.

[justjim]

MLS for resale's. If you are looking for a quick sale (for whatever reason) let the Realtor know it and list your price to start just a few thousand below market price. If no hurry start with market price as long as your house is in good shape. Good luck.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

...most resales the new owners tear out or repaint what they want.

Agreed. The previous owners next door had extensive shelving in their garage but were persuaded to take it out to make the garage look bigger.

Of course, the new owners wanted shelves, so had to pay to put new ones up.

[RedChariot]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I agree. I wouldn't do any upgrades.

What about a roof if the existing roof is reaching the 15 year mark?

[MX rider]

Originally Posted by RedChariot

What about a roof if the existing roof is reaching the 15 year mark?

Great point, but a roof isn't really an upgrade.
We were in that exact situation. The home we were selling had the original roof. It was still in great shape but was 14 years old. Our realtor suggested we replace it to make more attractive to potential buyers. She said the buyer would ask us for a new roof as part of the purchase anyway.

And some buyers won't even look at one with an older roof. Anyway, we replaced it and sold it in about a month. But we also priced it fairly according to the current market.
That was about 14 months ago.

[starflyte1]

If you live north of 466, maybe even 466A, a MLS Realtor would be much better. I don’t think Village Realtors like to go north. It was that way a few years ago and probably hasn’t changed.

[badkarma318]

I would go MLS, and would choose Ira Miller. He worked for The Villages for 9 years, then switched to the MLS side for many years. He has a contractor's license, a home inspector's license, and his own YouTube channel to help get your home seen by more people.

IM Realty - Your Villages Area Experts

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by starflyte1

If you live north of 466, maybe even 466A, a MLS Realtor would be much better. I don’t think Village Realtors like to go north. It was that way a few years ago and probably hasn’t changed.

There are Villages agents who specialize in pre-owned homes. Donna Fenster is one name that comes to mind, you'll see her name on many of the signs in the northern part of The Villages - though the signs don't stay up long. She's known for getting homes sold, not for having them sit around languishing.

[scubawva]

Price. Price. Price. Get that right and it doesn’t matter if MLS or VLS. Both sell about the same.
If you have a view lot in a popular village (meaning mid to south) and price it right it’ll sell, not necessarily quickly.

Houses on regular lots, nothing special and especially north sitting a long time.

You need to know price & time on market for your area, not the entire villages.

Realtor.com shows you days on market. Search for homes in your area, see the competition.

VLS you can sort by village, exact model, price. You can’t see time on market.

Look at both online, get a feel for your area.

Price right for location and condition.

Interview at least 2 agents from each service. If you feel capable FSBO may work especially if you a high-demand property.

Good luck

[HJBeck]

VLS agents are incentivized to sell new homes before they sell old homes, IMO. Would suggest using MLS agents who will give your home more attention then TV agents.

[thevillages2013]

VLS basically you have no representation in a sale because the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent work for the same company AKA the Developer . If you choose to list MLS make sure you designate the buyer’s agent commission in your listing. Your property will be shown much more than if the buyer has to pay the agent. Things have changed in the R E biz.