Expert: Dick Dennis - 10/1/2005

Question
What are the advantages/disadvantages of listing a home for sale exclusively with one broker, or using multiple listings?

I don't know if it's pertinent, but I live in Ohio and the home I own is my first purchase, having rented before.

Thanks in advance for your help,
A. Lares

Answer
They're both the same . . . usually.

When you have an exclusive listing with a Realtor, he/she is a member of the multiple listing service. That office submits ALL of their exclusive listings to the MLS to which they are a member.

So, automatically when you sign with one agent, you really get the benefit of having multiple agents from multiple offices knowing of your listing.

It is very rare when an agent may not submit the listing to the MLS. But that must be approved by the property owner. When an exclusive agent feels he/she can sell the property alone, then other offices will not be told of it. This, of course, is because the agent wants to earn the WHOLE commission, rather than sharing it with another agent.

I wish you well.

Dick Dennis    dixiedee13@aol.com