Billings, Montana MLS Flat Rate

Montana’s largest city by population, Billings is a major center of commerce, finance, medicine, education, and culture in the state. Billings is also the first place in the state of Montana where flat-rate MLS listing programs were successfully introduced to homeowners. Just as its location on the Yellowstone River made Billings a commercial hub, the right combination of growth, influx of people from other areas, and general appreciation for real estate has made Billings a leading place for sellers to seek alternatives to the existing high listing commissions. brokers charge. While these programs are now available in other areas, the initial success Billings-area homeowners have had with them is a major factor in their overall popularity and the growth of flat-rate MLS and other discount programs on the state.

Understanding these programs is important for any Montana home seller. Many are familiar with the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database; lists homes for sale in and around Billings, as well as homes under contract and comparable sales information. In addition to the city of Billings, the database includes other nearby cities such as Laurel, Park City, Roundup, Nye, Lockwood, Huntley, Ballantine, Absarokee, and others. People are familiar with the MLS because they used it directly when working with a Realtor® on their home purchase, used it indirectly when searching one of the thousands of websites that receive MLS data, or previously registered with an agent who listed their home on the MLS to attract buyers and other Realtors®. The idea with a flat fee MLS program is to attract the same buyers and Realtors® without paying a listing fee. Instead of paying this commission, the seller pays a small flat fee upfront to the broker, hence the name “MLS flat fee.” It is important to note that the seller may continue to offer a sales commission to a Realtor® who brings in a buyer; however, this is a fraction of the total commission. It’s also important to note that if a buyer finds the property (via the internet, yard sign, or some other means) and ultimately buys the house without using an agent, then the seller could actually avoid paying any closing fees.

Billings, “The Magic City,” continues to be one of the fastest growing cities of its size anywhere in the United States. Many people will continue to search for quality properties regardless of temporary downturns in the market. People, in general, will move more frequently than previous generations due to job transfers, more mobility, longer lifespans, and many other factors. As such, the typical Billings homeowner may want to consider alternatives to the “business as usual” approach when it comes to marketing and selling their home. There is no doubt that if these flat-rate MLS programs continue to be successful in Billings, the news will spread to other parts of the 500-mile regional radius that anchors Billings, including the rest of Montana, Wyoming, parts of Idaho, the Dakotas, and south central Canada.