A La Carte Services.

Many agencies offer discounted "full-service" listings, a la Carte services, limited service, or for-sale-by-owner programs. But, according to studies conducted by the National Association of Realtors, the median for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) selling price in 2004 was 15.4 percent less than the median agent-assisted transaction price. The median price of FSBO sales in 2004 was $163,800 compared with $189,000 for agent-assisted sales.

Agencies that discount their commissions also decrease the time, effort, and monetary resources they can dedicate to marketing your property. The old adage that says "you get what you pay for" still holds true. We emphasize that the most important figure on your home sale closing sheet is not the commission you paid, but the net cash to the seller.