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Buyers

• How do I get cash back for buying a home or other real estate?
  When My Dog Tess represents you as your buyers agent, we will earn a commission from the listing agent when you buy your property. Tess will split the commission she earns with you. It's that simple. (See the rebate calculator on the buyer's page to see how large your rebate could be.)
• Is it legal to give a buyer a cash rebate at closing?
  Yes, it is legal in North Carolina to compensate a principal in a real estate transaction even if they do not have a real estate license. My Dog Tess confirmed this fact with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.
• Can I apply my cash rebate against my closing costs?
  Yes. As long as the disposition of the rebate is shown on the closing statement, you can do whatever you want with the money. Your My Dog Tess agent will ask you if you would like your rebate paid outside of closing, with a check made payable to you, or applied against your closing costs.
• Why haven't other Realtors offered this cash back rebate service?
  Some Realtors do offer this service on a limited basis. However, it's typically offered as a perk for repeat business. No Realtor in North Carolina, that we are aware of, offers this service to every home purchaser. Most Realtors don't offer the service because they simply don't have to it's not an industry practice.

Sellers

• What is the MLS?
  The MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is a large computerized database containing ALL of the properties listed by Realtors and seen by Realtors. When a home buyer contacts an agent regarding a homepurchase, the Realtor will search through the MLS for properties meeting the buyer's criteria. Only Realtors have access to the MLS.
• If I use My Dog Tess to list my house for a flat fee, what do I pay the Realtor who finds a buyer for my home through the MLS?
  Depending on which county you're in, you pay 2.4% - 3% of the agreed sales price to the buyers agent at closing. This seems high, but $500 to Tess plus 3% of the sales price to the buyers agent beats paying a traditional realtor 6% - 7% to put your home in the MLS. (See the savings calculator on the for sellers page.)
• Is there any way around this 2.4% - 3% commission?
  Other than selling your home by yourself (for sale by owner), there's no way around the fee. Paying the buyer's agent motivates them to bring purchasers to your property. Because of the large number of Realtors using the MLS, the listing Realtor almost never sells their own listing. It is almost always another Realtor who finds the property through the MLS. Since the MLS outlines commissions for the buyers agents, they know they will get paid no matter who has listed the house.
• What if I find my own buyer?
  If you sell your house yourself, with no buyers agents involved, you pay no commissions.
• How long is the listing period and will my listing appear differently than other listings in MLS?
  Until it sells, you may cancel at anytime and no, the listing will look just like other listings in the MLS.
• What Internet sites will my home be featured in?
  Through our listing partners your home will also be featured in Realtor.com, Homes.com, Homegain.com, Yahoo.com, and local real estate websites.
• What's included for the $500 flat fee?
  My Dog Tess will: list your property on the MLS, list your property on Realtor.com and other internet sites, provide a professional yard sign, provide a lock box, provide access to the MLS appointment call center, provide digital photos of your home, and provide you with a guide to navigate the selling process.
• What if I'm not comfortable handling the paperwork and negotiations required in a real estate transaction?
  My Dog Tess offers a full service listing solution that is commission based. Tess offers all the services of traditional "full service" Realtors with out the 6% price tag. Sellers who discover that they need more assistance than $500 flat fee program offers can upgrade to the full service program at anytime.
• Will buyers agents cooperate and bring buyers to my house since I'm using a fee for service firm?
  Many sellers fear that they will be "black balled" by full service buyers agents. Our expereince has shown that buyers agents do not discriminate against our sellers - agents are interested in making a living and you're offering the same compensation that full service agents offer.
  
  In addition, the modern home buying process is largely buyer driven - the majority of buyers tell their agents which houses they want to see after previewing them on the internet - regardless of the listing company.
  
  Some agents try to get our clients or potential clients to press the "panic button" by telling them their house will not sell with My Dog Tess.  Don't believe it; if the process didn't work, we'd be out of business - not growing by leaps and bounds.