Q. I find a buyer and agree on the price that is the easy part what happens next?
A. Our attorney(s) or real estate broker(s) are there promptly to draw up agreements for you and your buyer. They provide the necessary services to make every one safe and comfortable. There are no real estate agents there to negotiate their high commissions. We also have financing if needed on the spot IF the buyer(s) require it. FSWSP does it all to make the transaction satisfactory to every participant.

Q. I just missed the FSWSP Magazine deadline should I wait until next issue to list?
A. In a word no. Listing your property with FSWSP offers many marketing tools to find that buyer. Timing is everything. Over 80% of today's buyers of real estate search the internet before buying. FSWSP has 2 highly viewed web sites. FSWSP.NET and fsbonetwork.COM reaching 48 sites and 41 magazines. This means over a million viewers to the For Sale By Owner Network with the potential to view YOUR property! Our advertising on a daily basis is fantastic. Our monthly magazines are always on racks because we print more magazines. If you listed today we take photo and as Emmeral would say BAM! Your property is listed and ready to be SOLD! List today and be on your way.

Q. I see these real estate agencies who promote discounts how does it work?

A. Please think that so called discount agencies through. Why should you as a seller with valuable equity in your property surrender it to any type of a commission? FSWSP provides the best of both worlds. You are given an option to place your property in the MLS at anytime. ONLY "if" it sells through that method and you accept the terms of the contract you are charged a low 3.50% in fees. No Sale No Low Fee! FSWSP also advertises your property until SOLD and SETTLED. Realtors of all kind do not market your individual property. They want to run ads to just make the phones ring to sell them anything. FSWSP advertises YOUR property to sell it fast and at the highest price. Remember when FSWSP finds your buyer there is NO 3.50% FEE! Interview a so called discount real estate agent along with a FSWSP Listing Representative and compare.

Q. Can we place our property on the MLS?

A. Yes. You now have an option to list your property on the MLS ( realtors Multiple Listing Service) at any time with Listing Packages number 2, 3, 4, and 5. FSWSP will continue to aggressively market your property and provide full service IF you still decide to place your property in the MLS. IF FSWSP finds a buyer before the MLS there are no commissions. IF and only IF a buyer is produced from the MLS method the fee is still cheaper than ANY real estate agency...we guarantee it!

Q. Can I fire my real estate agent immediately and list with FSWSP?

A. It is not that easy. Your listing agreement has a date that it expires. However on that date you may be able to sign up with FSWSP. Most agents want to tie your property up as long as possible. The longest time allowed by each state is 12 months. Any listing agreement exceeding 2-3 months is financially foolish to any seller. Remember we offer 5 Listing Packages for as low as $99.00.

Q. Can the FSWSP Network reach as many potential buyers as Realtors would?
A. The FSWSP Network reaches more consumers to market your individual property. For the first time property sellers can receive the maximum in marketing/advertising and receive 24/7 full service all the way to settlement. We reach more buyers than any real estate agent for YOUR property. We offer many listing packages that expose your property and offer the professional necessary services to make it an EZ transaction. You the seller are kept informed and are educated during this whole process. You can call your Listing Representative 24/7 to help with any question. We can also help you qualify your buyers at their convenience.

Q. Does FSWSP charge any commissions or hidden fees?
A. No

Q. Does FSWSP advertise my property more than a realtor would?
A. FSWSP concentrates on marketing your property individually. Unlike real estate agents who advertise in bunches to attract buyers to sell the caller/buyer anything but the property in their ads. We market your property with a photo in the monthly FSWSP magazine which prints more copies than any other publication to reach more buyers for YOUR property. We run separate ads throughout the area and depending what package you choose run additional ads of your property with photos. Our web site is attached to 48 others nationally attracting many hits and buyers to your property. FSWSP is on 41 other monthly magazines a month across the country making us part of the #1 For Sale By Owner Network in America. Now that is marketing power that can take on any real estate agent. We expose your property daily. We also now offer packages 4 and 5 the option to list your property in the MLS ( realtors Multiple Listing System). Please speak with a professional Listing Representative for all the details.

Q. Realtors profess that they can handle all the paperwork smoothly is that true?
A. They work from that illusion all the time. How in the world could they justify 6-7% in commissions? They want you to believe that only they can get it done. Now the For Sale By Owner/Buyers can with the help of FSWSP have complete access directly to professional home service companies. Preparing you for the sale and purchase of real estate in today's ever changing market. Please see Essential Real Estate Sources and Related Sources. FSWSP is not only a true home marketing network we provide the home service support staff to allow it (sale or purchase) to run "smoothly" with your financial interest in mind.

Q. I am thinking of getting pre-approved for my next home is that an
advantage?
A. Yes. You will know exactly how much home you can afford and fully
understand any credit challenges that may come up. Please go to "Get Pre-approved". It gives you the power and the knowledge to make intelligent choices for you the buyer. Too many buyers allow Realtors the power to select the program or the lender. In most cases a Realtor who delivers the applicant to the lender does it for self-serving reasons.

Q. After I sign as a buyer on a sales agreement and if I get turned down for a mortgage am I at risk to lose my deposit?
A. All sale contracts should have a financing clause. This allows a buyer a specific amount of time to make a mortgage application. You must make an application in that allotted time period. However if you are tardy the seller still can exercise their rights and wait until the buyer makes application. The buyer can not state they missed the application date and request a refund on the earnest money deposit. They must adhere to due process and make application. If the buyer is turned down and has been truthful on the application then the deposit should be returned to the buyer within a few days at most. Please apply with an experienced Mortgage Broker who has the programs to help the buyer who may be credit challenged and requires someone who is knowledgeable and can help this type of buyer.

Q. Do I have the right as a consumer to review my credit report?
A. Yes. It is an excellent idea for you to review your credit report. You can review the current information and correct any misinformation. You can obtain a free credit report here at FSWSP. This at least will give you an idea of what your credit is like. Secondly there will be a charge if you choose to review your credit from the three reporting agencies. This info will provide your score and will be the determining factor of what mortgage program and interest rate you can get. They will also help you correct any misinformation to obtain the best mortgage for your financial situation.

Q. Can you explain how important my credit is to obtaining certain loans?
A. Credit scores start in the mid 300 range and top off for excellent credit to the mid 800's. Credit scores from 500-619 are considered B-D credit and you will need a Mortgage Company that specializes in this area. They will provide the best possible interest rates and terms. 620-669 this score will lead you to much better rates. 670-699 again the interest rates and terms become progressively better. Above 700 to 800 it only gets better and you can be in the strongest position to dictate the best possible interest rates and terms.

Q. Now that I have an idea what really determines my credit score?
A. Scores are used by proprietary systems meaning the rule of thumb is not for public consumption. Credit scores will tell the likelihood of default therefore credit scores are generated using a formula that has been proven to predict risk. There are several reasons that effect your score, they are: 1) Late payments, delinquencies, and bankruptcies. 2) Outstanding Credit 3) Your length of credit history. 4) New applications for credit which it is said will drop your score 5-10 points per inquiry. This happens when you apply for a credit card(s). Frequent credit checks indicate to a Lender that the borrower is taking on new debt. Please be aware of new debt before and during your mortgage loan process. Never take on new debt i.e. a new/used care without checking with your Mortgage Broker, it could kill the loan. 5) Credit in use now. Your Mortgage Lender should be able to sort this out for you. If you are low in scores there are ways to begin the process to make them rise over time.

Q. Who is responsible to pay a commission for the sale of real estate?
A. If your property is listed here with FSWSP there is no commission. If a Realtor is involved the seller as per his or her listing contract pays the commission at settlement. That fee is 6 or 7% in today's market. So if your home sells for $259,000.00 your Realtor would take $15,594.00 (6%) or $18,193.00 (7%) off the top at your settlement. That is serious money and honestly wouldn't that be nice to keep in your bank account? What is an eye opener is if you place that money in even bank certificate of deposits or other proven high methods of return and leave it alone for 10 to 15 years. The accumulated amount will floor you. Remember you can do that with a $100,000 to 1,000,000.00 property. With FSWSP it would cost you $598.00. A savings (if the $259,900 house) of $15,245.00 (6%) or $18,542.00 (7%)! Money today is hard to earn, protect your assets..

Q. I am told by a Real Estate Agent that they can sell my home faster is this true?
A. Selling a home comes down to exposure and timing. At FSWSP we provide a viable marketing network to reach hundreds of thousands of consumers. We reach the public by our publications, highly visible web site, television, other publication advertising, radio, promotions, and our experienced sales staff. Timing is important and on the FSWSP Network it works for you 24/7. We also provide you to work with professional home service companies similar to what Realtors use. FSWSP also educates consumers through out our network, sales staff, and monthly free seminars to help you understand the selling and buying process.

Q. As a new for sale by owner I find it frustrating that the only calls I receive are from irritating real estate agents. How do I cope?
A. Real Estate Agents read how to obtain FSBO listings. You the seller are limited marketing your home on your own without FSWSP. Most for sale by owners place a sign in the yard and place expensive newspaper ads. The newspaper ads are very weak for exposing your home. Newspaper ads have a life of just one-day. To make it worst even the column ads are expensive and rarely read in any real numbers. Most of the time the Realtors are reading them just to obtain your listing. If a Realtor calls politely but firmly tell them you are simply not interested. Most agents are terrified when calling you. You have to understand that most Real Estate Agents are not very good sales people. Most fear the phone. FSWSP Network will expose your property and get the word out that your home IS FOR SALE! There are many books that help Realtors "attack" FSBO'S. One in particular that comes to mind is self-promoter Tom Hopkins book How To Master The Art Of Listing Real Estate. Chapter 6 in detail instructs a Agent with 32 pages how to obtain your for "sale by owner home" as a listing. In addition to this chapter it promotes throughout the book how to "get your business by any means necessary".

Q. I heard of Realtors who represent buyers exclusively. Is this true?
A. At this time we are aware of just one Realtor in all of the Susquehanna Valley. He is a one-man office and is located in Lancaster County. One Realtor who exclusively represents buyers only in a population with well over one and a half million people? He does come down hard on Realtors who use "dual agency". This is when a Realtor represents both the seller and buyer in the same property transaction. We have stated repeatedly that this is a conflict of interest. An attorney can not do this why should a Realtor? Please e-mail us at info@homelynx.net and we can supply you with his name and number if you would like it.

Q. The Title Insurance and Settlement Company, How do they Relate?
A. Title Insurance is necessary to have for the terms in your mortgage agreement. It is also there for your protection. The insurance pays for any missed liens or judgments that may surface after you take possession of the property and until you eventually sell. The settlement company prepares all the documents that relate to the property and mortgage documents. All Title Companies do not provide a Real Estate Attorney to represent you. Spirit Settlement Services provide one at no extra cost. Please refer to the names of respected professionals listed on our Essential Services page.