Discount Brokers

A handful of agents have tried to offer flat fee services to provide MLS access, say for $500 they enter your information in the multiple listing system and the homeowner handles the showings, negotiations, etc.  What this means is the listing agent will not help to set an asking price, will not preview the property to see what needs to be done to sell it, nor give any additional advice if it's not showing or selling.

This has created a problem with the agent working with the buyer.  It puts the buyer's agent negotiating directly with the seller, causing liability situations and violation of the Real Estate Act.  In addition, the buyer's agent ends up doing twice the work for the same 3%.  There are plenty of homes to show buyers, so an experienced agent is more eager to show a home where a full time listing agent will be doing their share of the work.

The Texas Real Estate Commission has recently ruled that an agent entering into a listing agreement with a homeowner may not refuse to offer the necessary services of negotiating contracts, etc.