Fundamentally this is a FSBO listed on MLS for a fee. It's a limited listing. I don't do those and tell people up-front that I don't.

"My ethics prohibit me from taking your money for a service that I know will lead to failure for you."

Then proceed to expalin to them the importance of having a full service agent who will actually get the job done rather than just posting an expensive add for them.

Sorry, I would not do it, I explain everything that I do and why I charge what I do.

Basically what Nina Hollander said.  If that is what they want ... they can hire someone else to do it. 

My response is "No."

I sometimes tell a seller, "There is always somebody cheaper.  You don't live in the cheapest house you could have found.  You don't drive the cheapest car."

They get the message.  You can get cheaper -- if cheap is what you want.  But you won't get me.

As long as there is a win-win with an understanding this is not full service

Ruthy, there are a lot of business models who offer this service, and even full service brokers (usually the smaller ones) will do this on a case-by-case basis. You just have to think about your answer as a business decision and do it or not.  I wouldn't do it, but I have colleagues I like and trust who have.  

I don't offer a flat-fee option.  There are plenty of business models out there for everyone.

Some people want T.J. Maxx, some want Salvation Army, others are willing to pay Nieman Marcus, Sackowitz and Nordstroms.

"If you can't be the best, then be the cheapest. I don't have to be the cheapest."

There are some agents who will do that here, but no other services are provided. I would politely decline as that is not part of my business model, and personally I don't feel it's in their best interest. And I would explain why, and the value I offer with my services and knowledge

Ditto under Bob Crane comment.

Limited service. I would consider it depending on the person and the amount and what they wanted me to do to help them. many of these agreements state that buyers agents are to present offers directly to the seller. If the seller has no clue on how to evaluate offers, i would not get involved.

I agree with Nina Hollander 

Hi Ruthy - We simply don't provide discount brokerage services. We explain the difference, and if that's what they wish to do, we wish them well.

Ruthy Green You haven't heard it from me. I don't believe in Limited Service agency agreements.

In CO, we can do "flat fee" but we can't do "MLS-Only Listings", thank goodness. CO has a minimum set of service requirements, and putting the listing into the MLS isn't even in that set - it's an optional thing.

So I'd tell them I'd be happy to work with them, but that I'd also have to do XYZ in order to stay in compliance with the state's real estate rules and regulations. Then I'd discuss the additional services I could provide. Then if they're still interested we'd negotiate that proposed flat fee (upwards most likely) and discuss buyer's broker's compensation that they'd be paying as well.

Who knows, a "flat fee" could well end up being more than what one would get with a percentage. It's all in the negotiation. ;)

We have rules in place that prevent us from doing that. 

RUN, FORREST, RUN 

You have to start working with better clients. We don't have 'a-la-carte' fees in my brokerage.

Nina's answer was best.

I'm not interested in getting those listings.  I work just as hard for each client and earn my commission,.  Nothing less.

My responce is:

“Sorry I don’t do flat fee listings.  Let’s go ahead and sign the paperwork so I can list your house and get you the most money in the quickest amount of time”.

No - is my answer.  I'm a full service agent and will not do those.  I do not want my name attached to anything like this.   I also do not want any liabilty if things go wrong in this type of transaction.

i assume the flat fee is lower than the typical %. i would ask them do you want the type of skill set that goes with a cheap job? do you want the surgeon working on you who will do it for less ?? I would offer thou...perhaps we can save money on advertising by not doing any?? :)

Ruthy,

I agree with Nina Hollander .  I would not do it, it is not worth your time and energy in my opinion.  A

Ruthy Green - you mean to say, they do not want to work with professionals?

God bless them....

Sure! If the flat fee is equal to my full commission and they really don't expect me to do anything else, and I have a signed contract!

I would explain that I'm not a Limited Listing Agent and if that's what they are looking for, they need to list with someone else.

So many great answers already to this question!

Time to get new friends 

For a flat fee of what my commission would have come out to, I'll happily list their house!

I've told sellers to google a home that I'm marketing and a home that one of the discount brokers is marketing. It's pretty easy to see why a discount broker isn't the best choice.

Our Brokerage is full service and we do not do flat fee mls only listings. 

This is a no service listing that they would expect you to service.

I have never done this but I would consider it depending on the amount of the flat fee.

It is not something that I do.

Flat rate within a range.  The low end started with $100 with mls self service.

f a flat fee is not your choice, then the answer would be NO, but I will do it for blah blah.... just tell them what you do....no need to reinvent the wheel because of another....

I explain our track record, what we do, and our fee structure.  If it works for them - great!  If not....NEXT!

I do not take flat fee listings. You need to contact your friend's Realtor!

I don't do this - ask your friends realtor because I can't help you

No problem, if the price is right (consult with your broker if you have one). But they should realize, it is only adding it to MLS, and that will be spelled in the contract and in mls agent remarks. 

Call someone else

I have done this...no big issue if the commission is good

First do you have a defined 'limited service' option. If you don't mission creep is going to bite you ...bad.

Be clear to the seller this is a 'no touch' option and make certain your action never implies a greater agreement. This is not easy if the seller has no experience. 'NO, I can not help you,' is a very difficult response but essential to stay within the boundaries of 'no touch."

Is your broker supportive?

Take their money but apply it as a loyalty plan.