| Island homeowners many times are not aware | | | | Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai and |
| that discount listing options are available | | | | Niihau. However, the state is divided up into |
| when they are ready to sell their home. A | | | | three different MLS systems. The major |
| novel concept that was already taking hold on | | | | islands of Oahu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai are |
| the mainland in places like California and | | | | divided as follows: Oahu's MLS is the |
| Nevada is now available in Hawaii: flat fee | | | | Honolulu Board of Realtors MLS, Maui's MLS is |
| MLS listings. They way that it works is | | | | the Realtor Association of Maui MLS, and |
| simple: a homeowner lists his or her property | | | | Hawaii and Kauai are both a part of the |
| on the MLS for a pre-paid flat fee. All | | | | Hawaii Information Service. It is important |
| Realtors can now see the property is for sale | | | | to be listed in the correct MLS system and |
| and is aware of any co-op commission being | | | | some sellers actually list in more than one |
| offered. Not only does the listing show up | | | | system to increase their exposure. One of the |
| when a Realtor is pulling data on a | | | | added benefits of an MLS listing is that a |
| particular subdivision and price point, for | | | | number of Internet sites such as broker |
| instance, Ewa Beach, $700,000 to $800,000, | | | | websites and agent sites pull in a portion of |
| the listing can be confidently shown by that | | | | the listing data. This allows one's listings |
| Realtor to his or her clients because the | | | | to be seen by the general public, albeit |
| Realtor knows in advance that a particular | | | | without the full detailed information, at |
| compensation is being offered in the event | | | | numerous websites. Fees for MLS listings |
| that their buyer purchases the property, for | | | | range from a few hundred dollars to one |
| instance two percent. Because only a buyer's | | | | thousand dollars or more. Often times the MLS |
| agent would need to be paid at closing (the | | | | listing provider offers optional upgrades and |
| listing broker was already pre-paid a small | | | | other services for an additional fee. This |
| flat fee), the commission savings is | | | | might include virtual tours or other tools to |
| typically about one-half of what some full | | | | help market or sell the home. While real |
| service agents charge. In the event that the | | | | estate lockboxes are often available, they |
| marketing power of the MLS and its related | | | | are not as commonly used in Hawaii as in |
| websites was able to sell the property | | | | other states. As with any real estate |
| directly to an unrepresented buyer with no | | | | offering, homeowners will want to closely |
| Realtor, the homeowner would end up paying | | | | examine what is being offered for the money |
| nothing at closing; this represents an | | | | and the track record of the flat fee listing |
| enormous savings over virtually every other | | | | company that they go with. Done correctly, a |
| listing out there. | | | | flat fee listing on the MLS can save a |
| | | | homeowner thousands of dollars and allow a |
| Flat fee listings on the MLS are available | | | | sale to take place in quick fashion. |
| virtually anywhere in the state: Oahu, | | | | |