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The Flat Fee Concept
The real estate marketing tools and brokerage business models used by Direct Line have been rapidly gaining popularity since about 1999. The internet has given consumers (both sellers and buyers) more choices. We believe that options are a good thing for consumers and for the marketplace; hence our tag line "Your Home. Your Equity. Your Choice."
One result of consumers' requests for more real estate options is Flat Fee or Fee For Service real estate services. Through real estate brokers like Direct Line that charge a one-time, flat listing fee sellers can have their property placed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database that is operated by Realtors. Depending on the sales price of their home, our sellers can save a substantial amount of money through Direct Line's flat fee services. Plus they are marketing their property to a broader group of potential buyers (those working with a Realtor) than is possible with a for sale by owner (FSBO) company.
Currently, eight out of ten home buyers look at houses on-line before they even set foot inside a house. Realtor.com is  the LARGEST real estate website in the world. Direct Line's clients receive upgraded and enhanced SHOWCASE LISTINGS on this database. Studies show that the extra photos and the expanded text of a Showcase Listing are viewed by twice as many potential buyers as the standard listings on this website.
Finally, the advent of the internet means both sellers and buyers are making greater efforts to educate themselves. A more computer-savvy and educated public has led to the de-mystification of the real estate transaction process. Depending on the individual needs and abilities of each real estate seller, now different types of realty business models are available. These business models fall within a spectrum:
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Full service/full commission companies
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Full sevice/discounted listing commission companies
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No service (MLS entry only)/flat fee listing commission companies
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For sale by owner companies (no MLS entry)
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